Hey, are you passionate about dance and dream of organising a modern dance competition show but struggling to plan one? This is your sign to relax and start planning with our easy-to-follow guide.
8-STEP GUIDE TO PLAN A SUCCESSFUL DANCE SHOW
We will take you through all the steps, from setting goals to the final celebration. So, whether you are a seasoned event planner or a first-timer, this will help you get the brief on every nitty-gritty. So, let’s get started.
STEP 1: DEFINE THE PURPOSE OF YOUR DANCE COMPETITION
The first step of any event is to decide what you want from this. What are the end goals of this event? Further, ask yourself the following questions:
- What is the goal of the competition? Is it to showcase young dancers, raise money for a good cause, or just have a fun event for the community?
- Who will participate here? Will it be open to all ages and skill levels, or will there be different categories for beginners, intermediate dancers, and pros?
- Who is the audience here? Will you be inviting families, school groups, or dance enthusiasts?
Once you answer these questions and set the SMART goals, you will have a much clearer idea of what your event will look like.
STEP 2: CHOOSE A THEME AND CREATE A PLAN
Now that you know why you are hosting the event, it is time to choose a theme and create a plan for the big day. Selecting the right theme will set the tone of your dance competition show. Further, it will also help dancers to choose their costumes and decide on their routines. Here are a few theme ideas:
- Modern dance styles that only focus on contemporary, hip hop, jazz, or other modern dance styles.
- Decades theme where dancers perform to the music of the late decades 80s or 90s.
- Celebrate world dances with each group performing a different style around the world.
Or there could be more themes you want to choose for your event.
STEP 3: CHOOSE THE VENUE FOR THE DANCE EVENT
Choosing the right venue is also a very vital step for any event. Make sure your chosen place is big enough for the audience and the performers. Here are some of the key things to take care of before picking the venue:
SIZE AND SPACE
Make sure the venue is big enough for all. You need plenty of room for dancers to move freely without feeling jammed and suffocated. Also, check for enough room for the audience, backstage prep, and dressing rooms.
FACILITIES AND COMFORT
Does the venue have clean bathrooms? Are there comfy seats for the audience? What about dressing rooms for the performers? These little details make a big difference in making the event smooth and enjoyable.
EASY TO GET
Think about how people will get to the event. Is there enough parking available for everyone? Is it accessible by public transport? A location that is easy to find is the best one.
LIGHTING
Make sure the stage is well-lit so that everyone can see the dance performances clearly. You can rent stage lighting or even ask the venue management to set stage lighting for you.
GOOD SOUND QUALITY
How can we forget about the acoustics? Pick a venue where music and voices are clear and loud enough to vibe along.
SAFETY AND EMERGENCY SERVICES
It is always good to have a first aid kit on site. Also, plan some emergency exits and other services.
STEP 4: CRAFT THE WHOLE PLAN
Going forward, once you have chosen the venue, now is the time to craft a foolproof plan with the following:
DATE AND TIME
Pick a date and time for the dance show. Consider holidays, school schedules, and any other events happening around that time.
BUDGET
Write out a budget to estimate costs for the venue, prizes, sound equipment and decorations. It’s important to keep track of your expenses so you don’t overspend.
STEP 5: SET UP REGISTRATION AND PROMOTE THE EVENT
Now it’s time to get people signed up and let the community know about your fun event. To make sure you market your dance event very well, try to do the following:
SET UP REGISTRATION FORMS
You can create an online form linked to your Google account or any other official mail. It will help you organise all the participants and audience separately. You may ask for their name, contact information, or advance payments, if there are any.
PROMOTE THE EVENT
It’s time to get the word out. You can promote your competition with the help of the following steps:
- Strategically place flyers and posters around the event place.
- Post regularly on social media or partner with influencers or celebrities.
- Reach out to local dance schools, teachers, and studios to encourage full participation.
STEP 6: PLAN THE EVENT SCHEDULE
A smooth event depends on a well thought out planning and schedules. Organise the event from start to finish so everyone knows what to expect. This will help things run smoothly and will ensure success. A perfect schedule always includes:
- Arrival and registration of all dancers before the event for preparations.
- Warm up time for dancers to stretch and rehearse before the show.
- The dance rounds of the show will be summed up at the end.
- Breaks between the rounds and a time lapse for each round. If you like, you can even plan refreshments.
Last but not least, the award ceremony of the dance competition and the trophies or prizes you want to give away.
STEP 7: ARRANGE JUDGES AND VOLUNTEERS
To ensure the competition is fair, you will need judges to evaluate the dancers. Choose people who are experienced in dance and can give constructive feedback.
STEP 8: MAKE THE EVENT FUN AND MEMORABLE
A dance competition is not just about the dancing; it is also about creating a fun and memorable experience for everyone. Do you want to mark your success by making it the most popular one? Try the following:
- Decorate the venue according to the theme. Try your best to make it vibrant, fun, and comfortable for everyone.
- Hire the best audiovisual equipment and a pro DJ, too. Be sure the songs are upbeat and fun.
- Market your event well on social media, and create a hashtag for the event, like #danceshow2025.
- Let your audience participate by giving their votes for the best dance and costumes, etc.
Don’t forget to rehearse before the event. It will help you refine your dance competition to the best.
PARTNER FOR YOUR EVENT’S SUCCESS
As the big day arrives, remember to enjoy the experience. As the event organiser, you still have a lot to keep on track. That is where the event organising companies can aid you. Hiring a reliable event management company like EMS Events removes all your burdens.
It not only helps you organise a modern competition show but also ensures it is executed smoothly and fantastically. Talk your idea to an event management expert here.
