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Showcase Competition
Guidelines and Procedures:
Is it a Rule or a Guideline?
PRESENTERS:
• Roland Bessette – Theatrical Skating Committee Chair
• Melissa Bowman – National Vice Chair for National
Showcase, Theatrical Skating Committee
• Morry Stillwell - Pacific Coast Vice Chair & Chief
Referee National Showcase 2013
• Kathleen Harmon – Judges Committee Chair and
Assistant Referee for National Showcase 2013
Tonight’s webinar will detail the specifics of the Showcase Guidelines, with
the goal of aligning nonqualifying showcase competition events with the
structure of National Showcase; thus ultimately serving to further the growth
of Showcase events throughout U.S. Figure Skating
AGENDA:
• How Skaters Qualify for National Showcase?
• Showcase events - should I add these to our
Competition?
• Judging Guidelines
• What are the primary Showcase events?
• The Showcase RULE
POLL
Please take a moment to respond to the
following question…
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How Skaters Qualify For
National Showcase
• Competitors placing 1st, 2nd, 3rd or 4th in theatrical events at a
contested nonqualifying, sanctioned U.S. Figure Skating
competition
• Theatrical events include: showcase, artistic*, theatrical or
interpretive
– *Artistic events qualify skaters for National Showcase, but
artistic is not offered as an event at National Showcase
How Skaters Qualify for National
Showcase:
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• The competition needs to occur between the close of entries for the upcoming National Showcase and the preceding close of entries from the prior National Showcase– If the competition falls outside this timeframe, skaters
qualify for the following National Showcase
• Skaters can also qualify by having competed in the immediately prior National Showcase
• These skaters will receive an invitation to compete at the National Showcase Competition held each August.
Qualification Timeline for National
Showcase:
• Intermediate, novice, junior and senior competitors who entered a competition, subsequently canceled for lack of other entries, may substitute a testimonial letter from the chair or the registrar to get a bye to National Showcase
• Required age and test qualifications are in effect at the date entries are closed
• Subsequent changes will not affect eligibility.
Qualification Timeline for National
Showcase:
Why Should I add Showcase to our
Nonqualifying Competition
• Added entries
• Additional entry fees
• No need for IJS officials
• Fun for skaters
The LOC what do I need?
What should I do?
• Judges – you select them
• Guidelines describes judging criteria
• Accountants will send showcase / theatrical event results to Headquarters and National Showcase Vice Chair
• Use your announcement to let skaters know your events at preliminary and above will qualify them for National Showcase
What Events Can We Offer?
• Any of the events listed in the
Showcase Guidelines, in addition
to any additional specialty events
you wish to add
• The core events should follow the
Guidelines
• Your specialty events can be run
under your own procedures
POLL
Please take a moment to respond to the
following question…
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How are skaters notified to
enter National Showcase
For all nonqualifying competitions the showcase event
results are sent by the Chief Accountant to:
• Melissa Bowman National Vice Chair for Showcase at
• Brenda Glidewell, U.S. Figure Skating Director, Skating Programs at
What are the Primary Showcase
Events?
Dramatic Entertainment• Showcase program utilizing intense emotional skating
quality to depict choreographic theme.
• Props and Scenery ARE permitted.
Primary Showcase Events:
Light Entertainment
• Showcase program emphasizing such
choreographic expressive qualities
such as comedy, love and mime while
incorporating skating skills.
• Props and Scenery ARE permitted
Primary Showcase Events (continued):
Interpretive/Improvisation• A performance choreographed by the competitor,
unaccompanied and unassisted, to music supplied by the LOC.
Primary Showcase Events (continued):
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• Duets:
– Theatrical/artistic performances by any two competitors
• This is not a pairs event
– Props and Scenery ARE permitted.
Primary Showcase Events (continued):
• Mini production ensembles:
– Theatrical performances by three to seven competitors
– Props and Scenery ARE permitted
• Production ensembles:
– Theatrical performances by eight or more competitors
• Theater On Ice teams are eligible as production ensembles. NOTE: Skaters may enter only one each duet, mini production or production event.
• Props and Scenery ARE permitted.
Primary Showcase Events (continued):
COSTUMES
• Costuming and make-up should:
– Enhance the feeling created by the
performance
– Reflect the meaning of the story or theme
• Costumes rules for free skate do not apply for
showcase/artistic/theatrical/interpretive skating.
• Ornaments and hair accessories must be secure
SCENERY/PROPS WHEN ALLOWED
• Props and scenery must be placed and removed by:– Competitor unaided within 1 minute total on and off
– Unaided duet competitors within 1 minute total on and off.
– Unaided ensemble contestants within 2 minutes for setup and two minutes for removal.
• Anyone not skating is not allowed to step
on the ice
• The use of scenery and/or props is not
mandatory • Only create what skater can move themselves and travel with
• Skaters should utilize props/scenery during program
• If a competitor has any doubt concerning the
safety of his/her number, the Chief Referee
should be consulted prior to event
JUDGING AND MARKING
• Performances will be judged:
– From an entertainment standpoint, for theatrical and
artistic qualities
– Technical skating skills and difficulty will not be rewarded
• However, skating must be the major element of the performance
and be of sufficient quality to support the selected theatrical
elements.
– Jump difficulty is not rewarded in showcase
• Jumps, if choreographed, should be performed with style, flow
and confidence
JUDGING AND MARKING (cont.)
• Theatrical elements evaluated will include:
– Energy
– Poise
– Acting
– Pantomime
– Eye contact
– Choreography
– Form/extension
– Use of props and ice.
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MARKING / SCORING:
• One or two marks may be awarded using the 6.0
judging system and will be given by each judge
for each performance
• Only 1 mark will be used at National Showcase
– Number of marks must be in announcement
– No technical skating mark as such will be used
The Primary Rule for Showcase:
It has to be FUN!
ONE FINAL THOUGHT……..
What showcase skating gives
our sport and our skaters! For more information on Showcase Skating:
Visit the National Showcase page at: http://www.usfigureskating.org/Programs.asp?id=308
CONTACTS:
Melissa Bowman, National Vice Chair for National Showcase, [email protected]
Roland Bessette, Theatrical Skating Committee Chair [email protected]
Brenda Glidewell, Director of Skating Programs [email protected]
Questions & AnswersQuestions & Answers