Tournament Preparation

Competition Readiness
  • At least a month before the first competition, have the team determine which five members will solve the different types of Spontaneous problems — and begin practicing those types of problems with those specific members. The five members may (and often should) differ depending on the type of problem.
  • Make sure the duration of the skit, including set-up time, is less than 8 minutes
  • Practice responses to worst-case scenarios:
    *  A backdrop falls down
    *  The vehicle or device fails
    *  A team member forgets a line
    *  The membership sign is obscured
  • Do a dress rehearsal in front of the parents
Paperwork
  • Stay on top of the paperwork. Remind the team to complete it well in advance. The team must provide:
    *  FOUR copies of its Style Form
    *  Cost Form — Keep receipts for items purchased new
    *  Outside Assistance Form
    *  FOUR copies of the Team List (if the problem requires one)
    *  All team-specific clarifications
    *  Team Member and/or Parent Contracts (if tournament requires them)
  • You might want to keep a second set of forms in a vehicle that you know will be traveling to the competition site in case the original packet is misplaced or damaged
  • Have a printable set of digital files that you can access from a smartphone, tablet, laptop or other device in case all else fails
Logistics
  • Make a master packing checklist ahead of time so you can ensure everything will arrive at the tournament on time
  • Provide tournament details to parents
    *  Arrival time — If you have an early performance time, have everyone text the coach or a designated team member at a specific time to confirm they are awake and getting ready. If a text doesn’t come through, call to check up!
    *  Specific meeting place
    *  Site map
    *  Schedule of events
    *  Long-term performance time
    *  Details for getting to performance site
    *  Spontaneous performance time
    *  Details for where to cheer for team after it completes Spontaneous
    *  Details about where and when the team volunteer’s shift is scheduled — The team may incur a penalty if the volunteer doesn’t show up.
  • Remind parents of the Outside Assistance rule. Nip temptation in the bud by encouraging them to go elsewhere (e.g., get a cup of coffee from concessions, get the lay of the land, watch other teams perform, check out the merchandise tables) as the kids are reassembling props, putting on makeup or costumes, etc. If you want one or two of them back to help move props into the staging area prior to competition time, let them know when to return.
  • Recruit a parent photographer and videographer
Packing List

Customize the list below based on the items your team needs for its performance.
  • Packet with the team’s forms
  • Copy of the script
  • Copy of the Program Guide
  • Copy of the problem
  • Backdrop(s)
  • Costume(s)
  • Makeup and applicators (e.g., foam wedges, Q-Tips, paintbrushes)
  • Prop(s)
  • Device(s)
  • Structure(s)
  • Musical instrument and peripherals
  • A/V equipment
  • Other electronics
  • Chairs, tables or stools
  • Membership sign
  • Extension cords
  • Outlet adapters
  • Site clean-up materials (e.g., hand broom with dustpan, lint roller)
  • Team member clean-up materials (e.g., makeup remover wipes, Kleenex)
  • Fix-it kit (e.g., duct tape, glue gun with extra glue sticks, markers, tools)