National Showcase 2013 A Competition in Theatrical Skating Sanctioned by: Page 1 of 8
RULES AND INFORMATION A. APPLICABLE RULES: National Showcase is a theatrical figure skating competition. As a Special Competition, the event is sanctioned and will be conducted under Rule 3400 and US Figure Skating National Showcase Guidelines. Generally, U.S. Figure Skating rules for non-qualifying competitions apply. Exceptions are as stated in this announcement. B. ELIGIBILITY TO COMPETE: 1. Single competitors, Preliminary through Senior, must have placed first, second, third or fourth in a contested showcase/artistic/theatrical/interpretive skating event at any sanctioned nonqualifying competition in the United States, held from July 14, 2012 July 14, 2013, or in the immediately prior National Showcase competition. Lower levels do not qualify to compete in National Showcase. 2. Intermediate, novice, junior and senior competitors who have 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. 3. Required age and test qualifications must be in effect at the date entries are closed. Subsequent changes will not affect eligibility. C. JUDGING AND MARKING: 1. Performances will be judged from an entertainment standpoint, for theatrical and artistic qualities. 2. Technical skating skills and difficulty will not be rewarded as such; however, skating must be the major element of the performance and be of sufficient quality to support the selected theatrical elements. 3. Unintended falls, poorly executed skating elements and obvious losses of control will reduce contestant s marks. 4. Jump difficulty is not rewarded in showcase, therefore jumps, if choreographed, should be those performed with style, flow and confidence. 5. Theatrical elements evaluated will include energy, poise, acting, pantomime, eye contact, choreography, form/extension and the use of props and ice. 6. One mark using the 6.0 judging system will be given by each judge for each performance. No technical skating mark will be used. D. COSTUMES: 1. Costuming and make-up for programs should enhance the feeling created by the performance, and reflect the meaning of the story or theme. 2. Costume rules for free skating do not apply for showcase skating events. Ornaments and hair accessories must be secure. 3. No bobby-pins, feathers, hair accessories, or anything else that may fall to the ice and be hazardous to the skaters are allowed. 0.1 deduction will be taken. E. EVENTS: Singles events are: 1. Dramatic entertainment: Showcase program utilizing intense emotional skating quality to depict choreographic theme. Music used for a dramatic showcase program might be: Schindler s List, Man of LaMancia, Andre Bocelli, Phantom of the Opera and Tosca. Music may be from several musical genres as: Baroque, Broadway, 20th Century Contemporary, Classical, Film and Pop (these are only examples). Props and Scenery ARE permitted. 2. Light Entertainment: Showcase program emphasizing such choreographic expressive qualities such as comedy, love and mime while incorporating skating skills. Music selected for light entertainment might be: Circ Du Solei, Annie Get your Gun, Sound of Music, Grease and Frank Sinatra. Music may be from several musical genres as: Contemporary Classical, Broadway, Pop and /or New Age (these are only examples). Props and Scenery ARE permitted. Page 2 of 8
3. Interpretive/Extemporaneous Improvisation: A performance choreographed by the competitor, unaccompanied and unassisted, to music supplied by the Theatrical Skating Committee. The music will be played during a 30-minute off-ice session and twice during a warm-up on ice prior to performance. Skaters after the warm up will go back to a room, with no music being played. All competitors in an event will interpret the same music. Warmups will be conducted under house lights with the competition performance taking place under spotlights. Props ARE permitted but must be brought into the room prior to listening to the music.duets are theatrical/artistic performances by any competitors. Props and Scenery ARE permitted. 4. Mini production ensembles are theatrical performances by three to seven competitors. Props and Scenery ARE permitted. 5. Production ensembles are 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. Skaters may enter any or all of these singles events for which they are qualified by test level. Skaters cannot skate in different levels of the same event (example: event-light Entertainment Level Junior skater would not be allowed to skate Light Entertainment Junior and Senior). F. EVENT LEVELS, AGES, TEST REQUIREMENTS AND PERFORMANCE TIMING Singles or Duets (Duets see above) Event Preliminary Pre Juvenile Juvenile Teen Intermediate Young Adult Novice Junior Senior Event Adult Bronze Adult Silver Must have passed Free Skating or Dance test (solo or partnered standard track) Preliminary Free Skate Preliminary Dance Pre Juvenile Free Skate Pre-Bronze Dance Juvenile Free Skate Bronze Dance Juvenile Free Skate Pre-Silver Dance Intermediate Free Skate Silver Dance Juvenile Free Skate Pre-Silver Dance Novice Free Skate Silver Dance Junior Free Skate Pre-Gold Dance Senior Free Skate Gold Dance Must meet requirements* Adult Bronze Free Skating or Pairs or Passed complete Pre- Bronze Dance Adult Silver Free Skating or Pairs or Passed one Pre-Silver dance Must not have passed Free Skating Test Pre Juvenile Pre-Bronze Juvenile Bronze Intermediate Pre-Silver Intermediate Silver Novice Pre-Gold Novice Silver Junior Pre-Gold Senior Gold Must not have passed Any Pre-Silver Dance Any Pre-Gold Dance Age no age restriction no age restriction 13 and under Time (Min.) 2:10 max 14-17 2:10 max 17 and under 2:10 max 18-20 2:10 max no age restriction Age 21 and older 21 and older 2:10 max 2:40 max 2:40 max Time Page 3 of 8
Adult Gold Masters Adult Gold Free Skating or Masters Pairs or Passed one Pre-Gold Dance Masters Intermediate or Masters Pairs or Passed complete Pre- Gold Dance Complete Pre- Gold Dance 21 and older 21 and older Mini Production 0pen 0pen 3:10 max Production 0pen 0pen 6:00 +/- 15 seconds Props ARE permitted in ALL showcase events. Skaters representing another governing body must meet that body s closest possible equivalent to the specified U.S. Figure Skating test requirement. The referee s decision will be final. G. WARM-UP TIMES: 1. Interpretive/Extemporaneous Improvisation events will be four minutes on performance ice. Interpretive/Extemporaneous Improvisation warm-up groups will not exceed 10 skaters. 2. Duets and Singles competitors will warm up backstage prior to their performances for 3 minutes. No more than three skaters on the ice back stage. The "back stage" area will be approximately fifteen feet by eighty-five feet (15' x 85'). 3. Mini Production Ensembles will warm up backstage or on ice. Production Ensembles will inform the Stage Manager whether they will warm up backstage or on full ice using 2 minutes. H. PERFORMANCE TIMES: 1. Interpretive/Extemporaneous Improvisation: determined by the music provided. 2. Light and Dramatic Entertainment/Duets (level of higher test skater): a) Preliminary and pre-juvenile: b) Juvenile through novice: 2:10 max c) Junior and senior: 2:40 max d) Teen and young adult: 2:10 max e) All adult events: 3. Ensembles: a) Mini Production Ensembles: 3:10 max b) Production Ensembles FS: 6:00 +/- 15 seconds I. TIMING: Timing will begin with the first purposeful movement of any competitor or member of a team. For performances that are over or under the time allotment, standard time deductions will apply as per U.S. Figure Skating s current rulebook. Timing will cease when the last skater comes to a complete stop. Upon taking their position on the ice, a member of the team should raise and lower either their right or left arm to signify that the team is ready to begin their performance. This movement does not count as the purposeful movement noted above. Page 4 of 8
J. SCENERY/PROPS: 1. All props must be utilized as part of the choreographed structure of the performance. 2. Props and scenery must be placed and removed by the competitor and duet competitors unaided within one minute total on and off. 3. Unaided ensemble contestants within two minutes for setup and two minutes for removal. Anyone not skating is not allowed to step on the ice. 4. The use of scenery and/or props is not mandatory. 5. All scenery will be portable and not require any mechanical means for transportation (i.e. forklift, etc) its movement will be the responsibility of the skater or teams. 6. For insurance reasons no propulsion devices will be permitted. This includes items such as cannons as well as trampolines. 7. The use of smoke, fire, liquids, live animals, feathers, bubble machines or any substance that may harm the ice surface and/or skaters is not permitted. 8. No mirrors or glass of any kind is allowed on the ice. 9. TRAMPOLINES OR OTHER SUCH APPARATUS USED TO ASSIST SKATERS JUMPING INTO THE AIR IS NOT PERMITTED. A 0.2 deduction will be taken. 10. For a team an announcement will be made after 1 minute has elapsed. Another announcement will be made when 30-seconds are remaining. At the 2 minute mark, an announcement is made that set up time is over. Set up must be complete and skaters must be in their starting position before the 2 minute announcement is made. A 0.1 deduction will be taken for every 10 seconds. 11. There will be no countdown of timing for single skaters or duets 12. If a competitor has any doubt concerning the safety of his/her number, the Chief Referee should be consulted. K. SCENERY BREAK DOWN: 1. At the completion of the performance, and after the team has taken their bows, teams will be permitted two-minutes to remove all scenery. When removing the props from the ice the Skaters may not step off the ice. A 0.2 deduction will be taken. 2. 0.2 deduction will be assessed for each five seconds in excess of the time allowed for the performance, for handling props and scenery and for scenery assistance. The Referee will notify the judges of the time deduction. L. GROUP SIZES FOR NATIONAL SHOWCASE - INITIAL AND FINAL ROUNDS, SKATING ORDER 1. Skating Groups (Flights) will not exceed fifteen contestants. In order to determine a champion for each level, events requiring more than one group will compete in initial and final rounds. a) With two groups, first through fourth place will compete in the final round. [8, 12] b) With three or four groups, three from each group will compete in the final round. [12, 15] c) With five or six groups, two from each group will compete in the final round. [12, 14] d) With seven or more groups, the first place in each group will proceed to the final round. 2. Parade of Champions (Showcase Final round) will be held for the Intermediate and higher plus masters champions from each Dramatic and Light Entertainment event together. 3. A Parade of Junior Champions (Showcase Final round) will be conducted for the champions of preliminary through juvenile, teen, young adult and adult bronze, silver and gold events. Champions will compete using their winning program. 4. Competitors appearing in the Parade of Champions (Showcase Final round) from both a light and a dramatic event may skate both performances but will be awarded only the higher of the two placements. 5. A random skating order will be used in all rounds except the singles Parades of Champions (Showcase Final round). Those parades will skate in an order approved by the referee set as follows: Similar events will not be clustered and Time for needed costume changes will be considered. 6. The Extemporaneous/Interpretive and Duet events will have their own final rounds. Champions will compete using their winning program except that new Extemporaneous/Interpretive music will be provided. Page 5 of 8
M. LIGHTING: 1. Singles and Duets will perform under spotlights in a darkened house. 2. Ensembles will perform under house lighting. 3. Four follow spotlights will be used. 4. Barrier and backstage lighting will be used. N. SPECIFICS: 1. There is no minimum time requirement for any event. 2. Events will not be segregated by gender. 3. There will be a 0.2 deduction for each: 05 seconds in excess of the maximum performance and prop placement times. 4. Timing starts with the first motion of the body and ends when motion stops. 5. A 30-word or shorter description of the performance is to be provided for each Dramatic Entertainment, Light Entertainment, and Duet entry. You will be asked to provide this at the time of registration as well as type-written on a 3 x 5 notecard at the time of music check-in. Descriptions will be read by the announcers. O. SAFETY: Props, scenery and costumes considered hazardous will not be allowed on the ice. This prohibition includes the release of helium balloons, use of fire, etc. If a performer has any doubt concerning the safety of his/her number, the Competition Chairpersons should be consulted. P. WAIVER OF LIABILITY, RULES, DECISIONS AND APPEALS: Each participant agrees by entry that all liability for injury resulting from participation is borne solely by the skater; U.S. Figure Skating, The Bourne Skating Club and Hyannis Youth and Community Center will in no way be responsible for any injury sustained as a result of participation in this event. Except as herein added or amended, the rules of U.S. Figure Skating govern the conduct of this event. Decisions will be made by the Referee and will be final. Q. ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION: 1. Chairs: Rebecca Johnson and Caryn Mori 2. Email: showcase@bourneskatingclub.com or becky@bourneskatingclub.com 3. Website: www.bourneskatingclub.com 4. Phone: (508) 759-7321 5. Registrar: Rebecca Johnson/Caryn Mori, c/o Bourne Skating Club, P.O. Box 284, Buzzards Bay, MA 02532 6. Arena: Hyannis Youth and Community Center, 141 Bassett Lane, Hyannis, MA 02601 7. Dates: Thursday, August 1 st through Sunday, August 4 th. Practice ice will begin on Wednesday, July 31 st. 8. Deadline: Registrations must be entered by July 14, 2013. ONLINE REGISTRATION ONLY using EntryEeeze. http://bourneskatingclub.com/2013_national_showcase 9. Registrations: All skaters must provide the name and email address of their skating club membership director at the time of registration, as well as the name, email address and cell phone # of the coach that will be accompanying them to the event (not necessarily their coach) at the time of registration. Please be sure to have that information prior to beginning your online registration. 10. Forms: Release forms and Ice Network Music Sheets will be available online and are required to be completed and mailed to us at the close of entries. Practice Ice selection and program book ads/ticket/merchandise pre-orders will be available at time of online registration. 11. Registration Fees: 1 st Single Event: $135.00 Additional Single Event: $95.00 Extemporaneous Improvisation Event*: $55.00 *Must be in addition to a Single Event Duet: $145 per duet (only one registration needed per duet team) Mini-Production and Production Ensembles: $90 per team plus $25 per skater (Team manager registers entire team) Page 6 of 8
12. Duet/Mini Production/Production Entries: You will need to register each team separately in the online system. When you register, you will need to provide the following information (please gather all of this information prior to beginning your online registration): a. Team Contact this will be the contact information for a primary person who will be responsible for the team b. Team Name this will be the name of the team used on the skating orders and in the program c. Number of team members (this should include alternates) and will be the basis of the per member charge for the event d. The team roster - for each of the team members, you will need the following e. information: i. Skater first and last name ii. Skater date of birth iii. Skater highest test passed for free skate and moves in the field iv. Skater USFS number v. Email address of the skater if over 18 or the email address of the skater s legal guardian if under 18 so that they can accept the liability waiver for that skater 13. Registration Location: All skaters and coaches/chaperones are required to check in with the Registration Desk upon your arrival to the rink for the first time during this event. 14. Music: Competitors must provide their music on CD-Rs ONLY (CD-RWs will not be accepted). CDs must be clearly marked with the competitors name and event. Turn in your CD at the Music table when you register; you may pick it up at Music after your performance. You will need a second copy of your CD for practice and in case of a problem with the one turned in. CDs of excellent quality and good condition will be to the skater s advantage. 15. Lighting: Individual and duet events except extemporaneous will be held in a darkened arena with barrier and spotlight theater lighting. Production Ensembles will have arena lighting. Extemporaneous events will compete under spotlights but warm up with arena lighting. 16. Incomplete Entry Forms: Entry forms submitted without all necessary information and signatures may be returned. 17. Late Entries and Category Changes: Late entries will be accepted at the discretion of the registrar and Chief Referee. Category change requests will not be accepted after entries close. Change requests will require an additional entry fee, unless correcting a Registrar s error. 18. Reporting to Compete: You must report to the Stage Manager one half (1/2) hour before your event is scheduled. If you fail to do so, your group may compete without you. Exception: Extemporaneous contestants report to the specified room forty-five (45) minutes before their scheduled events to hear their music. NOTE: Extemporaneous skaters will be isolated upon entry into the music room, must be unaccompanied and ready to skate at once after hearing the music. Arrivals later than 15 minutes will be limited to the on-ice warm-up. 19. Entry Refunds: Full refunds, including practice ice, minus the online processing fees, are available if withdrawal is made prior to close of entries. After close of entries, refunds are only available if the competition/event is canceled. 20. Returned Checks: Checks returned for non-sufficient funds and contested credit card charges will be charged a $35.00 fee. Payment of all fees must be made prior to the start of the competition; skater will not be allowed to participate in practice ice sessions or competitive events until payment is rectified. 21. Credentials: Entry passes will be provided for each contestant or duet member, one designated coach and one designated parent/chaperone. The coach that you list as your primary coach, when registering online, should be the one that is accompanying you to the event so that he/she receives the proper credential. Ensembles may designate two coaches/adult managers both must be designated at the time of registration. 22. Action Photos and Videos: The event organizers will have a vendor available for these services, and will announce this on our website when all arrangements are finalized. All such arrangements are private contracts between the vendor, skater and local club. Page 7 of 8
23. Dressing Rooms: Dressing rooms are unsupervised. Please bring skate guards, and do not leave valuables unattended. Some locker rooms do have lockers that are available for the skaters use. Locks will not be provided; bring your own lock. Neither U.S. Figure Skating, The Bourne Skating Club, Inc. nor the Hyannis Youth & Community Center will be responsible for missing valuables. R. GENERAL INFORMATION: Facility: The competition will be held at the Hyannis Youth & Community Center located at 141 Bassett Lane, Hyannis, MA 02601. The surface is 85 x 200. The warm-up/performance surfaces will be laid out according to the following diagram (not to scale). The glass will be removed from the audience side of the ice, between blue line and blue line ONLY. Skaters will enter the ice from behind the curtain on the far end, and exit closest to the stands. See diagram. Plan your program accordingly. Practice Ice: There are no complimentary practice ice sessions. Reserved practice ice sessions will be available with registration for Single and Duet entries. Performance lighting (spots, etc.) is listed on the practice ice registration form as Spotlight Practice, for which space is limited. Spotlight Practice must be pre-reserved and pre-paid. There is a limit of pre-ordering 2 sessions per skater. Additional sessions may be available on a walk-on basis, for which you will sign up and pay for at the competition registration desk. Hotels: We have contracted special event rates with many different hotels in the area. Please see the hotel listing on our event page at http://bourneskatingclub.com/2013_national_showcase Page 8 of 8