Host a Community Showcase

As gyms gear up for their first competitions of the 2014-2015 season, many opt to debut their new routines by holding an exciting energy-packed showcase at their gym or local arena for family, friends, and fans. Typically these performances are solely for the teams at that particular gym, but some gyms take their showcases a step further and involve the community by inviting area schools and rec programs to their lineup.

Top 10 Tips for Hosting a Community Showcase

1. Plan early. Develop an informational packet and forms for teams who choose to participate. Then make a list of schools you wish to invite along with contact information for each.

2. Decide on a format. Do you want to limit routines to certain time frame? Maybe you would like to allow individual and duet performances in addition to team performances? These are all things to consider when planning for your event.

3. Fundraising opportunities. Decide on a small fee for admission (our gym suggests a $2 donation, but no one is turned away for not donating). Set up a concession stand as a fundraiser for your booster club.

4. Judges or no judges? At our community showcase we have a panel of judges who give out ‘fun’ awards such as ‘Most Smiles’, ‘Spirit’, ‘Showmanship’, etc. They do not judge on skill, but more along the lines of performance and creativity.

5. Mini competitions. During intermission, hold an optional toe touch competition, stunt challenge, or tumble off.

6. Variety. If your schedule allows, look into inviting a few solo performers from a dance studio or gymnastics gym. At our showcase we have our in house competitive cheerleaders plus gymnasts, acrobats, dancers, and local school cheerleaders.

7. Marketing. Don’t forget this is wonderful advertisement for your gym! Make sure some type of informational material goes home with each and every participant.

8. Make it a Holiday Showcase/Open House. Instead of using this as your start of the season showcase, you may choose to hold a separate Holiday showcase in December. The benefit with choosing a December date is you can possibly get both basketball and football squads from your area schools, and it is a great final push on your ½ season teams starting up after the first of the year.

9. Media coverage. Submit a press release to your local paper featuring your event. Alert the local news station about your community showcase.

10. Pair up with a good cause. Instead of charging admission, consider requesting each spectator donate a can of food for the food pantry or supplies for the domestic violence shelter.