CATEGORIES

AMATEUR 

Are you just getting started in pole? This is the category for you! Performances in the Amateur category can be artistic or comedic. Competitors will be judged on variety of movements, creativity in character and costume, and good form. 

The Amateur category has move restrictions which evens the playing field for pole athletes and takes away the competitive advantage for those with greater skill development in strength and flexibility moves. These restrictions are as follows:  

• No deadlifts

• No levers

• No Iron X

• No extreme flexibility moves eg. Spatchcock, Russian Splits, Extreme Over-splits, or Rainbow Marchenko

• No Flips. Tumbles are permitted so long as contact with the pole is maintained the entire time.

 

PROFESSIONAL DIVISION

 

POLE COMEDY

Performances in pole comedy should entertain the audience. Humorous movement can take precedence over the rules of good form if performed with intention. Competitors will be judged on their athleticism and the difficulty of their tricks, as well as by their ability to delight the audience.  

 

POLE ART

Competitors in the Pole Art category should focus on bringing dance into their routine. Musicality and grace must be demonstrated as well as strength. Each performance should center on a theme chosen by the competitor. Competitors will be judged on their ability to communicate that theme artistically via movement, their musicality and flow, and by the difficulty of their pole routine. 

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LOW POLE FLOW

This new category will feature artistic movement around the pole and on the floor. No shoes allowed. The competitor can't go higher on the pole than their own hand reach over head while standing.   Competitors in this category should focus on bringing dance into their routine. Musicality and grace must be demonstrated as well as strength. Each performance should center on a theme chosen by the competitor. Competitors will be judged on their ability to communicate that theme artistically via movement, their musicality and flow, and by the difficulty of their pole routine. 

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POLE DOUBLES

The Routine must consist some acro moves on the floor, some synchronized moves on the pole, doubles moves on the pole, and each participant must base each other at some point. The pair should focus on bringing dance into their routine. Musicality and grace must be demonstrated as well as strength. Each performance should center on a theme chosen by the competitor. Competitors will be judged on their ability to communicate that theme artistically via movement, their musicality and flow, and by the difficulty of their pole routine. 

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AERIAL HOOP

Competitors in the Aerial Hoop category should focus on bringing a story into their performance along with artistic movement and tricks demonstrating a combination of strength, flexibility, and originality. Musicality and grace must be demonstrated as well as strength. Each performance should center on a theme chosen by the competitor. Competitors will be judged on their ability to communicate that theme artistically via movement, their musicality and flow, and by the difficulty of their  routine. 

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VIDEO SUBMISSIONS

VIDEO APPLICATION GUIDELINES

1. Videos must be 2 minutes in length.

2. Video applications will be judged on presentation, pole skill, and performance ability.

3. Videos MUST be on YouTube or Vimeo and may be ‘unlisted’ on YouTube, but not private.

4. The title of the video must say that it’s a Halifax Theatrix application, and must have the applicant’s name and category in the title, e.g. Joy Ducharme’s application for Pole Comedy, Halifax Theatrix 2020.

5. Videos must not be edited or spliced together in any way, other than to cut for length at the beginning or end.

6. Videos must be of good quality with sufficient lighting.

7. Only one video will be watched per applicant per category. Applicants cannot submit multiple videos, unless they are applying for more than one category, in which case the applicant must submit a new application form and video for each category applied to.

8. The video must show only the applicant performing. Human props are permitted.

9. Competitors should submit a video that matches their chosen category, has a balance between tricks and floorwork, demonstrates strong performance skills and stage presence, and engages with an audience.

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COMPETITOR SELECTION AND REGISTRATION FEE

There will be 5 athletes per category chosen from the video submissions, for a total of 35 individuals competing. A registration fee of $30 plus tax will be required to be paid to Studio In Essence in conjunction with your video submission.

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POLE AND STAGE SETUP

Poles will be 45mm,  13' 3" tall Xpoles and 8 feet apart with a Brass finish. The static pole will be stage left and spin pole stage right.  A diagram showing the stage parameters will be provided closer to the event.

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AERIAL HOOP

One rigging point centered on stage. Can use your choice of single or double point hoop.  The ceiling height at the venue is 13 feet high.

Participants may choose to use their own aerial hoop or one of ours.

ALL APPARATUS MUST BE APPROVED BY OUR TEAM PRIOR TO THE EVENT.

Crash mats may be used and will not result in a points deduction.

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JUDGING CRITERIA

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POLE ART and AMATEUR and LOW POLE FLOW and AERIAL HOOP

• Costume/Theme/Musical Interpretation – Creativity and originality of costuming; Music choice; Appropriateness to theme. Theme must be consistent throughout performance: 10 points

• Trick Execution – Control and Fluidity of tricks; Points and Lines: 10 points

• Dance/Floor work - Originality in movements, smoothness in transitions and execution of dance and floorwork: 5 points

• Stage presence – The ability to engage and entertain the audience: 5 points

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POLE COMEDY

• Costume/Theme/Musical Interpretation – Creativity and originality of costuming; Music choice; Appropriateness to theme. Theme must be consistent throughout performance: 5 points

• Trick Execution – Control and Fluidity of tricks; Points and Lines: 10 points

• Incorporation of comedic elements and audience engagement: 10 points

• Movement and use of stage - Competitors are judged on confident movement and effective use of stage: 5 points

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PERFORMING RESTRICTED AMATEUR MOVES

Restricted moves performed in the Amateur division will result in a (3) point deduction for each from the athlete’s final score.

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DISQUALIFICATION

Nudity through either costume malfunction or intentional removal of clothing will result in disqualification.

Any touching of the genitals or breasts will result in disqualification.

Sexualized movements within a performance are discouraged and will result in point deduction from the athlete’s final score. If you are unsure about a particular aspect of your performance, contact Studio In Essence and seek clarification.

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TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES

If there is difficulty with the music, the athlete may finish their piece without music or ask to have the music restarted and begin their performance again. If the athlete chooses to restart their performance, scores will only be based on the restarted piece.

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FALLS AND INJURIES

Falls from greater than 6 feet in height or landing on the head/neck will result in the athlete’s withdrawal from the competition.

If an athlete falls (from less than 6 feet/not on head/neck) and feels they can continue, they will go on with their performance and not restart their piece.

If an athlete is bleeding from an injury and blood is not transferring to the pole or the stage, the athlete may continue their performance.

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RULES AND REGULATIONS

Please check with Studio In Essence for any changes prior to your competition.

• Athletes can apply for more than one category. This requires two applications and two application fees.

• Athletes will behave in a sportsmanlike manner throughout the competition.

• Athletes will sign a release form and attend the mandatory meeting prior to the competition.

• Athletes will not consume drugs or alcohol prior to or during the competition.

• Music chosen for performance will be  4 minutes in length and will be appropriate for the competition. 

• Costume tops must not show excessive cleavage or side breast.

• Costume bottoms should provide 2/3 coverage of the gluteus with a one inch inseam, or fully cover the gluteal fold.

• Costume removal is only permitted for items worn above the shoulders or below the knees.

• Pole Art has the only exception to the clothing removal rule if the costuming underneath follows guidelines for other divisions.

• Shoes are not allowed at any time, nor are they allowed to be removed prior to starting or at any time during the routine

• Any item falling off an athlete’s costume will not be considered to be costume removal

• Props are allowed as a part of the performance

• A prop must be carried on and off stage by the athlete and may be used as many times as required during the performance

• Music, costumes and props will be submitted for approval via email by the athlete two weeks prior to the competition

• Access to the dressing rooms and backstage areas is restricted to athletes, makeup artists, hair stylists, organizers, therapists and press

• Athletes will not speak to the judges or audience during their performance

• Athletes agree that they will abide by the competition rules or face disqualification

• Winners of each category will hold their title for one year and may defend their title the following year

• Finalists will be available for photos following the competition 

• Champions will not engage in immoral or illegal acts which could damage the reputation of the Halifax Theatrix competition, else face removal of their title.

• Should the Champions’ title be removed, the 1st runner up will represent Halifax Theatrix in subsequent competitions

• The Winners of the 2020 Halifax Theatrix categories Pole Art, Pole Doubles, and Aerial Hoop will be formally invited to the Canadian Pole Fitness Championship in Toronto on June 13th and 14th, 2020.  https://canadianpolefitnessassociation.com/cpfc-2020

• The choreography should not show indecent or with too much erotic connotation gestures. No touching or rubbing intimate body parts. No twerking. All these gestures will be sanctioned by the jury.

• Music must be provided and an MP3 file with chosen music for their performance by February 1st. Contestants are responsible for the correct settings of the track. Organizer can not edit audio file, adjust volume or background noise from file. Music can be a mixture of different songs and may contain lyrics.

• If two or more contestants choose the same music, the contestant who sent it in first (date and time) gets the privilege to use it; the other contestant has to change. Original mixes or combination of several songs is allowed.

• Music must have No profanity, derogatory language, explicit or suggestive content may be accepted. Send us your music to halifaxtheatrix@gmail.com and we will let you know if it is approved.