Criteria is everything! Please read this information before submitting your entry and when planning your show. Please reach out to us with any questions. BEGINNER, INTERMEDIATE, ADVANCED & ELITE POLE Steel the Spotlight is a performance-based competition. Competitors will be judged not only on tricks, but on their ability to create a full stage piece with confidence, creativity, musicality and connection. TECHNICAL DIFFICULTY /20 **Difficulty of Pole Skills /10** Appropriate difficulty for the performer’s chosen category. Judges will consider strength, flexibility, control, dynamic elements, combinations and the overall level of pole content. **Technique & Execution /10** Clean and controlled execution of skills. Judges will consider body lines, control, safe technique, pointed toes, extension, grip changes, exits, strength, stability and overall cleanliness. DANCE MOVEMENT /15 **Floor work /5** Quality, control and creativity of floor-based movement. Judges will consider flow, extension, lines, intention and how well the floorwork supports the routine. **Transitions /5** Smoothness and creativity of transitions in and between tricks, dance sections and floorwork. Judges will consider flow, control, connection and how seamlessly the routine moves from one moment to the next. **Musicality /5** Connection to the music. Judges will consider timing, rhythm, accents, pauses, dynamics and how well the performer uses the music to shape the routine. STAGE PRESENCE & PERFORMANCE /10 Confidence, facials, engagement and connection with the audience. Judges will consider character, expression, energy, eye contact, performance quality and the performer’s ability to hold the stage. COSTUME & PRESENTATION /5 Costume, hair, makeup and overall styling. Judges will consider how well the costume suits the routine, theme, character and music, as well as the overall polish of the performer’s presentation. OVERALL PERFORMANCE /10 The overall impact of the routine. Judges will consider x-factor, entertainment value, creativity, concept, storytelling, stagecraft and whether the performer created a memorable show. **SCORE TOTAL /60** BURLESQUE & SHOWGIRL Steel the Spotlight is a performance-based competition. In this category, competitors will be judged on dance quality, character, theme, musicality, stage presence and overall entertainment value. DANCE MOVEMENT & CHARACTERISATION /20 **Dance Movement Technique /10** Quality and execution of dance movement, transitions and use of space. Judges will consider control, lines, flow, clarity of movement, floorwork, choreography, spacing and how well the performer uses the stage. **Characterisation & Theme /10** Creativity, originality and commitment to a strong theme, story or character. Judges will consider storytelling, character development, intention, expression and how clearly the performer brings their concept to life. THEME & COSTUME /10 Strength of theme, costume and overall visual presentation. Judges will consider how well the costume supports the story, character, music and overall show, including hair, makeup, styling, props and polish. MUSICALITY /10 Connection to the music. Judges will consider timing, rhythm, accents, pauses, dynamics, musical interpretation and how well the performer uses the music to shape the routine. STAGE PRESENCE & PERFORMANCE /10 Confidence, facials, engagement and connection with the audience. Judges will consider energy, expression, eye contact, charisma, character commitment and the performer’s ability to hold the stage. OVERALL PERFORMANCE /10 The overall impact of the routine. Judges will consider x-factor, entertainment value, creativity, concept, storytelling, confidence, stagecraft and whether the performer created a memorable show. **SCORE TOTAL /60** POLE DANCE & BASEWORK Steel the Spotlight is a performance-based competition. In this category, performers will be judged on dance quality, basework, musicality, flow, stage presence and how well they represent their chosen style. Pole must be used at some point in the routine, but pole tricks are not the main focus of judging. Tricks may be included if they support the choreography, but this category is about dance, movement, transitions, musicality and performance. DANCE CREATIVITY & TECHNIQUE /20 **Dance Movement & Creativity /10** Quality, creativity and flow of dance movement, transitions, floorwork, basework and use of space. Judges will consider how well the performer moves around the pole, uses the floor, transitions between movements and creates a routine with originality, intention and flow. **Technique & Execution /10** Clean and controlled execution of dance, basework, floorwork and pole-based movement. Judges will consider lines, control, strength, extension, balance, smooth transitions, safe execution and overall cleanliness of movement. Performers will also be judged on how well they stay true to the style they are presenting, whether that is heels, old school, low flow, lyrical, contemporary, Roller Pole, commercial, sensual flow or another pole-based dance style. MUSICALITY /10 Connection to the music. Judges will consider timing, rhythm, accents, pauses, dynamics, musical interpretation and how well the performer uses the music to shape the routine. COSTUME & PRESENTATION /10 Costume, hair, makeup and overall styling. Judges will consider how well the costume suits the routine, theme, music and chosen style, as well as the overall polish and presentation of the performer. STAGE PRESENCE & PERFORMANCE /10 Confidence, facials, engagement and connection with the audience. Judges will consider expression, energy, eye contact, character, confidence, performance quality and the performer’s ability to hold the stage. OVERALL PERFORMANCE /10 The overall impact of the routine. Judges will consider x-factor, entertainment value, creativity, concept, flow, style, stagecraft and whether the performer created a memorable show. **SCORE TOTAL /60**