categories & divisions
Pole Theatre Canada is divided into two divisions and consists of 4 categories; art, drama, comedy and classique.
Pole Art
The category of Pole Art is for performances incorporating another dance style (e.g. lyrical, contemporary, commerical, latin, ballet, etc.) to create a performance that is artistic in style. Competitors shall 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.
Failure to incorporate another style of dance will result in an immediate 5 point deduction. Competitors will also be judged on the following criteria for both the application videos and the live competition:
-
Costume & Theme (10 points)
-
Pole Skill (10 points)
-
Appropriateness of Music Choice & Musical Interpretation (10 points)
-
Dance & Floor Work (15 points)
-
X-Factor & Stage Presence (10 points)
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 a 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. Ultimately, she realizes 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 will result in a low or zero point scoring in the "storyline development" category (worth 15 points). Competitors will also be judged on the following criteria for both the application videos and the live competition:
-
Costume & Theme (10 points)
-
Pole Skill (10 points)
-
Movement & Use of Stage (10 points)
-
Storyline Development (15 points)
-
X-Factor & Stage Presence (10 points)
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 live audience. Competitors will also be judged on the following criteria for both the application videos and the live competition:
-
Costume & Theme (10 points)
-
Pole Skill (10 points)
-
Movement & Use of Stage (10 points)
-
Incorporation of Comedic Elements & Audience Engagement (15 points)
-
X-Factor & Stage Presence (10 points)
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.
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 10 points in total if competitor does not comply with these requirements). Competitors will also be judged on the following criteria for both the application videos and the live competition:
-
Costume & Theme (10 points)
-
Pole Skill (10 points)
-
Appropriateness of Music Choice & Musical Interpretation (10 points)
-
Incorporation of Striptease and Sexy/Sensual Style Movement into Pole and Floor Work (15 points)
-
X-Factor & Stage Presence (10 points)
Semi-Professional Division
The Semi-Professional division is for competitors who have not won first place in the Semi-Professional level of a Qualifying Competition, and who have not competed in the Professional division of a Qualifying Competition.
Professional Division
The Professional division is for competitors who have won first place in the Semi-Professional division of a Qualifying Competition, or have previously competed in the Professional division of a Qualifying Competition.
What is a Qualifying Competition?
Pole Theatre recognizes that there are many pole competition all around the world, which are run with varying degrees of professionalism and standards.
We recognize that many of these competitions are social competitions which are social in nature and are primarily intended to be a fun experience for local competitors seeking a chance to perform on stage. Such competitions may be extremely well-organised and executed, but are not necessarily intended to be “serious competitions”, as they are primarily for fun. They may be competitions organised by a studio for their students, they may be end of year performance opportunities, or competitions run in nightclubs for a cash prize. The primary purposes of these competitions include entertainment and fun. Pole Theatre classifies such competitions as Social Competitions.
Other competitions are established with the primary purpose of ranking the selected finalists in order to award titles, with competitors scored by qualified judges against established and clearly set out judging criteria. Pole Theatre considers such competitions to be Qualifying Competitions.
Social Competitions
Winning a social competition does not affect the competitor's ability to select a division when entering Pole Theatre. For example, a competitor has won a regional Pole Sport Organization competition, they are still eligible to enter Pole Theatre in the Semi-Professional division.
Qualifying Competitions
The features of a Qualifying Competition may include the following:
-
It is held in a professional venue such as a theatre, hall, or a sports convention
-
There is a judging panel of qualified judges
-
Finalists had to submit entries for judging in order to be selected to compete, or qualify to compete
-
Entries are accepted on a regional, state, national, or international basis
-
The judging criteria has a focus on technical pole skill, including level of difficulty
-
Titles and prizes are awarded (e.g. certificates, sashes, trophies, or other awards)
-
It is generally considered a "serious" competition
-
It is is recognized by other competition organizers and competitive pole dancers as more than a social competition
In deciding whether a competition is a Qualifying Competition, the Pole Theatre team will have regard to:
-
Publicly available information about the competition
-
Discussions with the organizer of the competition
-
Discussions with the relevant Pole Theatre National Organizer
-
Discussion with previous competitors in the competition
-
Any other matters the Pole Theatre team considers relevant
Decisions made by the Pole Theatre World team on the status of a competition are final.
Which Division Should I Enter?
Applicants must decide which division they are submitting to, but can be moved up or down on the online judges’ discretion if placement is found to be in conflict with applicant’s level/experience. If the judges are made aware that you have applied in the incorrect division before the finalists are decided, the judges will move you to the correct division. Anyone who has been found to have entered the wrong division after the finalists have been announced will be not be allowed to compete. If you are unsure as to which division to enter, please contact your national Pole Theatre organizer.
Reserves
If you are made a reserve, you will be given at least 30 days notice if a finalist drops out. If you are a reserve but do not end up competing in the finals, then you can enter that same category again the following year, provided you still satisfy the division rules.