LAST MINUTE COMPETITION CHANGES...THEY ARE MORE DIFFICULT THAN YOU MAY THINK

As get further and further into competition season, things seem to get busier and more hectic. We all become overwhelmed wishing there were just a few more hours in the day. I say this from my personal experience as a studio owner, competitive teacher, traveling judge, and national director. At first, we have a little more time and a little more energy. Then, we become sleep deprived as we seem to go go go and run ourselves into ground trying to make the never ending deadlines. As exhausted as we are, we know customers expect friendliness. Just like a studio owner and/or teacher, a competition owner and employee, must always remain calm, friendly, and helpful to clientele. After all, everyone is in the dance business together and good customer service is important. 

Last minute changes to competition entries aren't as easy as one may be lead to believe. The goal of this blog is to help bridge the gap of understanding why competitions "can't just change" this and that especially on the fly even in the age of computers and technology. Think of changes like this: It's like when a dancer is suddenly taken out of a dance just prior to the performance and the dance must be completely reworked. One formation change has had major effects and consequences on the rest of the staging and special parts. That one change has lead to chaos and a multitude of changes effecting several people, and ultimately the entire dance. You never expected it to be that way but that is how it turned out. As a teacher, you know that panic! That ripple effect just changes so much; it basically changes the entire piece. We have all been there at one point or another and it isn't fun. With all of the rules competitions have with leveling, ages, divisions, competing against yourself, scheduling, who is and isn't eligible for overalls, etc., it can become a nightmare in the office and on the road at the event. Once a tentative schedule has gone out, everything is basically ready to go. It's ready to go to print. There is a tentative time schedule that has gone out to everyone that has been determined by your entries, along with everyone else's entries. People are starting to plan their arrival times on top of many other things as you know. Of course, things happen. People get the flu, break a leg, etc. Awful, unfortunate things happen, and when they do, people have understanding hearts. Please notify your competition as soon as possible and sometimes, unfortunately, that is the day of competition. It happens. These situations are not what I'm writing about. 

MY BIGGEST PIECE OF ADVISE:

1) Check your entries well in advance of the competition! Check them well before the tentative schedule is sent out and well before the the cut off date. Have someone double check you after you have entered each competition. I know many people enter months in advance since a lot of competitions sell out so early. If you enter months in advance, periodically check your entries to make sure they are still accurate. I cannot stress enough how important it is to go back and review all of your entries very closely. You may need to correct routines that may have changed since registration. The competition will certainly appreciate you and your efforts to make sure your entries are correct. I know I make mistakes and I feel better having someone double check me. You will have less stress as the competition approaches and you will be more secure knowing your entries are correct! 

2) Review the tentative schedule with your entries the day it is released. Go over it with a fine tooth comb as we say in the south.  When you notice that something is entered in the wrong category, age, division, level, there is a dancer missing, etc., please contact the competition immediately. Do not delay! Many competitions produce more than one show per weekend so they have a significant work load and a short period of time to accomplish it all. They will love you twice for being so professional and on top of things. Your attention to detail and quickness to respond will be greatly appreciated by all! 

I hope this helps you understand why early corrections are vital and gives you a better understanding to inside of the competition office. There are many rules and changes can cause a great deal of confusion once the entries have all been processed and a program has been put into place. Many moving parts take place before an actual event. 

I hope everyone has a finish to the season and a wonderful national finals! 

Dance hard. Dance smart. 

Meredith
thecompetitiveedgebymeredith.blogspot.com

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