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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

patinage.tx@gmail.com

• Brenda Glidewell, U.S. Figure Skating Director, Skating Programs at

bglidewell@usfigureskating.org

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, patinage.tx@gmail.com

Roland Bessette, Theatrical Skating Committee Chair rolandb7@gmail.com

Brenda Glidewell, Director of Skating Programs bglidewell@usfigureskating.org

Questions & AnswersQuestions & Answers