
Category rules & JUDGING CRITERIA
1. Pole Art
The category of Pole Art is for performances incorporating another dance style (e.g. lyrical, contemporary, commercial, latin, ballet etc) to create a performance that is artistic in style. Competitors must submit a theme, and will be judged on how effectively they interpret their theme through their chosen dance style. Competitors will be judged on artistry, musicality and flow. Competitors are expected to create a performance that demonstrates an artistic interpretation of their theme through movement, dance and music on the pole. Please see a examples of this category performed below:
Failure to incorporate another style of dance will result in an immediate 5 point deduction.
Criteria
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Costume & Theme: 10 points
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Pole Skill: 10 points
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Appropriateness of Music Choice & Musical Interpretation: 10 points
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Dance & Floor work: 15 points
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X-Factor & Stage Presence: 10 Points
Total Score /55
2. Pole Drama
The category of Pole Drama is for performances that tell a story. Competitors will be expected to build a clear storyline in their performance. The story must be clear. It is not enough to choose a theme or motif. The story must have a premise, development and conclusion.
For example, stating “My story will be about love and loss” will not be sufficient. A better entry would be more explicit in describing the storyline, for example:
“My story will be about a young woman who is in love with someone who doesn’t love her back. She attempts to reach that person physically and emotionally, but they remain untouchable in spite of her efforts. She attempts to make him fall in love with her through her movement, but he walks away from her. She is heartbroken and full of anger, until she sees a beautiful bird fly past her, up and away. She longs for that freedom, and realises that she is the one holding herself back. Ultimately, she realises she must accept rejection, and in doing so she learns that she must face her own demons to be able to move forward and find happiness. My story will finish when she steps forward out of the darkness and into the light, representing that she is resolved to move forward and be strong on her own.”
In the above second description, the storyline is clear and the judges will be able to see if the competitor has effectively conveyed their message to the audience.
Failure to have a clear storyline with will result in a low or zero point scoring in the “storyline development” category (worth 15 points).
Criteria
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Costume & Theme: 10 points
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Pole Skill: 10 points
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Movement & Use of Stage: 10 points
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Storyline Development: 15 points
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X-Factor & Stage Presence: 10 Points
3. Pole Comedy
The category of Pole Comedy is for performances that incorporate humorous and comedic elements. Competitors will be judged on how well they entertain and engage the audience.
Criteria
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Costume & Theme: 10 points
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Pole Skill: 10 points
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Movement & Use of Stage: 10 points
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Incorporation of Comedic Elements & Audience Engagement: 15 points
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X-Factor & Stage Presence: 10 Points
Total Score /55
4. Pole Classique
The category of Pole Classique is for performances that celebrate the beauty and art of the sexy or sensual style of pole dance and striptease. Competitors must wear heels for at least part of their performance (minimum 1 minute). Competitors are required to remove at least one item of their costume in this category, in a such a way that the removal of the costume is incorporated into the performance. G-strings, pasties etc are permitted in some countries - please check with the Organiser. Please see examples of this category performed below:
Criteria
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Costume & Theme: 10 points
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Pole Skill: 10 points
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Appropriateness of Music Choice & Musical Interpretation: 10 points
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Incorporation of striptease and sexy/sensual style movement into pole and Floorwork: 15 points
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X-Factor & Stage Presence: 10 Points
Total Score /55
Failure to wear heels or failure to remove a costume item will result in an immediate deduction of 5 points per violation (maximum possible deduction is 15 points in total if competitor does not comply with these requirements).