MAKE THE MOST OF SPOTLIGHT
There’s more to Spotlight than what happens during your routines.
Competition is at the heart of the weekend, but some of the most memorable Spotlight experiences happen beyond a dancer's regularly scheduled performances.
From stepping into an audition-style Dance Down to competing for Spotlight Title, earning scholarship opportunities, or representing your studio through Triple Crown and Studio Achievement, there are plenty of ways to make your Spotlight weekend even more meaningful.
Here are a few opportunities we don’t want your studio to miss.
TITLE
More than a solo. An opportunity to step into the Spotlight.
You may know that Spotlight offers Title. But if you've never had a dancer participate, you may not know everything that goes into the experience.
Spotlight Title gives dancers the opportunity to showcase more than their performance onstage. Title contestants combine their solo performance with an on-stage experience designed to highlight their preparation, confidence, and presence.
And Title isn't just for our Elite Gems dancers - Future Gems dancers have a Title opportunity, too.
WHAT DOES TITLE ACTUALLY LOOK LIKE?
YOUR TITLE SOLO
The dancer's solo is the performance component of their Title experience. Title is available in both the Future Gems and Elite Gems divisions.
THE ON-STAGE EXPERIENCE
Title contestants also participate in an on-stage portion with the Show Director. Contestants prepare a short biography and a dance combination. Elite Gems contestants also participate in Q+A, with questions made available shortly before the Title competition. Future Gems contestants do not participate in Q+A.
Why we love Title
Title gives dancers another kind of stage.
Some dancers shine when the music starts. Title gives them an opportunity to show the confidence, preparation, personality, and presence that exist beyond their choreography.
For studio directors, it can also be a meaningful way to challenge dancers who are ready for something more than another solo performance.
REGIONAL TITLE CAN LEAD TO NATIONALS
The current Spotlight structure requires dancers to participate in Regional Title in order to pursue National Title. The award materials also connect qualifying Title competitors with additional Nationals experiences, including the Title Promenade and, for qualifying Elite Gems dancers, the Spotlight Elite performance team.
DANCE DOWN
Give your dancers a taste of the audition room.
No costume. No rehearsed solo. A different kind of challenge.
Spotlight's Dance Down simulates a professional audition experience. Dancers learn a short jazz-style combination onstage, perform for the judges, and move through an elimination process as finalists are selected.
That's what makes Dance Down different from the rest of competition weekend: dancers have to learn quickly, adapt, perform, and trust their training.
WHO SHOULD TRY IT?
Have a dancer who loves picking up choreography?
A dancer who wants more audition experience?
Someone who might be nervous about audition settings and could benefit from trying one in a supportive competition environment?
The currently Dance Down includes: Junior and Senior Dance Downs, with Future Gems Dance Downs available
Spotlight Tip: Don't wait until competition weekend to tell your dancers about Dance Down. Introduce the opportunity beforehand so dancers who want to participate arrive knowing it's part of their Spotlight experience.
TRIPLE CROWN + STUDIO ACHIEVEMENT
Your dancers compete. Your studio can, too.
Spotlight's Triple Crown and Studio Achievement opportunities are designed to recognize the collective strength of your studio's Elite Gems routines.
Rather than looking at one performance alone, these optional awards combine the scores of selected routines to recognize excellence across your studio.
THREE WAYS TO COMPETE
TRIPLE CROWN - SOLOS
Select three Elite Gems solos within the same age category.
STUDIO ACHIEVEMENT - DUOS/TRIOS
Select three Elite Gems duo/trios across different age categories.
STUDIO ACHIEVEMENT - GROUPS/LINES
Select three Elite Gems groups or lines across different age categories.
The highest combined score earns the award.
BEFORE YOU MOVE ON
Take a look at your roster. Is there someone who should experience more at Spotlight?
□ Identify dancers who may be a good fit for Future Gems or Elite Gems Title
□ Talk to your dancers about participating in Dance Down
□ Look at your Elite Gems routines for potential Triple Crown or Studio Achievement combinations
□ Familiarize yourself with the scholarship and recognition opportunities available this season
You don't need to decide everything today - but knowing what's available now means you won't discover an opportunity after it's too late.
COMING UP NEXT…
COMPETING AT SPOTLIGHT
Divisions. Rules. Bumping. Judges.
Next, we'll walk through the pieces of competition that studio directors ask us about most — including how to think about division placement and what goes into building a well-rounded Spotlight judging panel.
You don't need to memorize the rulebook. We'll show you what matters most.