Competition seasons brings a whole different type of stress to dancers. Working hard all year for just a 3-minute dance, can teach valuable lessons. Not only are dancers taught how to work hard, but also how to work as a team and not just individually. In addition, competitions show how dancers from different backgrounds can come together, creating beautiful pieces of art for others to see. Here are just a few things one can see while attending a competition...
1. Dream Duffels, Dream Duffels EVERYWHERE
2. Little dancers defying the laws of physics
3. Along with Dream Duffels, GLITTER EVERYWHERE
Everywhere a dancer goes, a trail of glitter follows. Destroying carpets and choir risers on accident, dancers don't really notice the mess. So sorry for ruining those things?
4. You see and injured dancer on another dancers back at least twice a day
Dancers literally put so much energy and passion into each dance, sometimes accidents happen and causing things goes wrong. Don't worry though, most of the time it's just a sprained ankle.
5. Dance moms
Need a bobby pin or safety pin? Dance mom. Need someone to untie your shoes during a quick change? Dance mom. Need someone to get you food? Dance mom.
6. The occasional stressed dance instructor
This is their full time job. Every hour in the studio is a memory that will last forever. Having 60+ children running around the competition is chaotic for every instructor. Please if you're missing a costume piece, you better find a replacement quick.
7. Dancers stretching/practicing in every hallway in sight
Getting through the hallway while large groups are practicing is nearly impossible. Granted, the other dancers are usually nice, you still have to watch out and try not to get kicked or ran into.
8. Dedication upon dedication
Some dancers spend 5 days a week in the studio practicing their dances, others spend half that. One thing that brings them together. Dedication.
9. Bored dance dads and/or siblings
Sorry about the long competition days and for all of the money coming out of your wallets.
10. The judge who has a straight face THE ENTIRE TIME
Dancing in front of a judge who has a straight face gives at least one dancer the feeling like they aren't good enough. But most likely, that particular judge will give you the best constructive criticism.
11. Then the judge who is about to get out of their chair and start dancing
Yes please do get up and have as much fun as we are having. It would be a blast if you came up and danced with us.
12. Possibly a dancer puking on stage...
If you are lucky, well maybe not, that dancer will throw up during their set of pirouettes.
13. Stage Makeup
Stage makeup can range in a variety of ways. But yes, most dancers can do their stage makeup better than their everyday makeup.
14. High pitched screams during awards
Every dancer in the competition is crammed on the stage and every dancer seems to scream as high as humanly possible when their studio wins an award. Who knew receiving "Platinum", "High Gold", or "Gold" could create so many screams.
15. Excited and exhausted dancers after awards
Dancers are always excited after awards end, even though they sometimes seem dead to the world. Going home with multiple awards and exciting memories, the end of awards is like a breath of fresh air because competition days get VERY long.
