Eligibility
1. Entry is open to anyone aged over 18 years. Any entrants aged 16-18 are permitted to enter Pole Art, Pole Comedy or Pole Drama with express written consent from a parent or guardian, which myst be submitted along with their application. Entrants under 18 are not permitted to enter Pole Classique, even with parental consent.
2. Entry is open to national and international competitors.
Entry
2. Applicants will be selected based on two elements:
-
theentrant’sdescriptionoftheirproposedPoleTheatreperformance;and
-
avideoentryofapreviousperformance,eitheraliveperformanceorbasedonthe
competitor’s intended Pole Theatre performance description. It is not compulsory for the video submitted to be of the entrant’s intended performance, but be aware that it will assist the judges to understand the entrant’s vision if it is.
Props, costume, etc
1. Performers are permitted to use any props, sets, costuming, additional performers, sound effects, performance apparatus or footwear, provided that:
the space allows for it physically;
it can be feasibly/theoretically transported on a plane;and
it can be set up and completely removed in under 2 minutes.
2. Any use of the above items should be described in the applicant’s entry.
Pole Theatre Divisions
Semi Pro
A Semi-Professional applicant is anyone who has not placed in the top 3 in a national or international competition, or won a category in Pole Theatre Amateur.
Professional
A Professional applicant is anyone who has placed in the top 3 in a national or international competition, or who has won a category in Pole Theatre Semi Pro, or is a touring pole athlete.
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 organiser.
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.
Judging
1. Semi Pro and Professional division competitors will be judged separately.
2. A winner will be announced in each of the 4 categories. From those 4 winners, an overall winner will be announced.
3. The overall winner will be the competitor with the highest score based on points awarded.
4. Judges will score competitors separately and will not discuss their scores with each other, but judges are allowed to discuss their scoring of the competitors at the end of the competition prior to deciding the results.
5. Score-sheets and comments will be made available to competitors within one week after the competition.
6. A Sponsor’s Choice prize may be announced.
Categories
Pole Theatre consists of 4 categories. There will be 4 competitors in each category. Applicants may select more than one category to enter. Applicants must select one of the following categories to enter per entry, and pay an entry fee for each entry:
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 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.
Failure to incorporate another style of dance will result in an immediate 5 point deduction.
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 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 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.
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.
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. G-strings, pasties etc are permitted in some countries - please check with the Organiser.
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).
Judging Criteria by Category
Pole Art
1. Costume/Theme: 10 points
2. Pole skill: 10 points
3. Appropriateness of music choice and musical interpretation: 10 points
4. Dance and floor work: 15 points
5. X-Factor and stage presence: 10 points
Pole Drama
1. Costume/Theme: 10 points
2. Pole skill: 10 points
3. Storyline development: 15 points
4. Movement and use of stage: 10 points
5. X-Factor and stage presence: 10 points
Pole Comedy
1. Costume/Theme: 10 points
2. Pole skill: 10 points
3. Incorporation of comedic elements and audience engagement: 15 points
4. Movement and use of stage: 10 points
5. X-Factor and stage presence: 10 points
Pole Classique
1. Costume/Theme: 10 points
2. Pole skill: 10 points
3. Appropriateness of music choice and musical interpretation: 10 points
4. Incorporation of striptease & sexy/sensual movement into pole & floor work: 15 points
5. X-Factor and stage presence: 10 points
- ETHICAL GUIDELINES: Download the ethical guidelines here
- JUDGING CRITERIA: Download document here
- DISPUTE & QUERY FORM: Download query form here