Competitor Rules & Regulations

General Information for Pole Theatre Eligibility

Please note that competitors will be required to sign a rules and regulations document containing the following information. Failure to do so will result in disqualification.

Eligibility

1. Entry is open to anyone aged over 18 years. Any entrants aged 16-18 are permitted to enter Pole Art, Pole Comedy or Pole Drama with a written consent from a parent or guardian, which must be submitted along with their application. Entrants under 18 are not permitted to enter Pole Classique, even with parental consent.
 
2. Entry is open to national and international competitors.

3. If the Pole Theatre in your preferred country has different divisions, you must enter the division that suits your level: Amateur, Semi-Professional or Professional. Click here to view the division definitions. Pole Theatre Austria opens the stage for the divisions Semi Professional and Professional.

4. Groups may enter Pole Theatre Austria. They must enter into the category of the highest achieving performer in the group in accordance to the level definitions. Click here to view the division definitions.

Entry

Applicants will be selected based on two elements:

- the entrant’s description of their proposed Pole Theatre performance; and
 - A video entry of a previous performance, either a live performance or based on the competitors intended Pole Theatre performance description. Video entries will be judged on pole skill and performance ability.

It is not compulsory for the video submitted to be of the entrant’s intended performance, but be aware that it will assist the judges to understand the entrant’s vision if it is.

Props, Costumes, etc

1. Performers are permitted to use any props, sets, costuming, additional performers, sound effects, performance apparatus or footwear, provided that:
a ) the space allows for it physically;
b) it can be easily transported 
c) It can be set up and completely removed in under 2 minutes.

2. Any use of the above items should be described in the applicant's entry

Competitors & Performance

Competitors must arrive at the venue at their allocated time on the day for rehearsals.
Competitors must ensure they have warmed up and stretched properly prior to performing.
Competitors must not consume alcohol or any prohibited substance prior to performing.

Performances must be between 3 and 4:30 mins long. All performances that exceed 4:30 minutes will have their music cut on the night and lose points.

You must notify the Organisers by email of any significant changes to your planned performance no later than 2 weeks before the date of the final (e.g. lighting wishes, props etc). Any significant changes to the performance after that date are not permitted without Organiser approval. Theme/story changes are only permitted with the Organiser's approval. 

Judging criteria will be sent out to all successful competitors.

Categories

Pole Theatre consists of 4 categories. Please finde the category details here. Applicants may select more than one category to enter. Applicants must select one of the 4 categories (art, drama, comedy, classique) per entry, and pay an entry fee (Application Fee) for each entry.

To enter view the judging criteria for each category click here.​

Not sure what category to enter?
watch Pole Theatre's "categories defined" video below to get more info/examples.

Terms & Conditions of Entry

Please note that further terms, conditions and rules will apply (please go on reading below the video) and may vary from country to country. Failure to agree and comply with the following rules will result in disqualification.  

Waiver of liability

The competitors acknowledge and accept that freigeist - Verein für Poledance, Aerial Arts and Fitness, its owners, staff (the Organisers) and The (Venue) staff and owners (“Venue Related Parties”) are not responsible for injury or damage resulting from participation in the competition, including the competitors’ arrival and departure from the competition.

The competitors acknowledge that pole dance is a dangerous activity and as such the competitors voluntarily accept the risks associated in participating in the competition.

The competitors waive to the full extent permitted by law all legal rights of action against and fully releases the Venue and Venue Related Parties and the Organisers and Related Parties for the loss, damages, or injury howsoever arising out of or in relation to the participation by the competitors in the activities conducted or organised by the Organisers and Related Parties including without limitation, liability for any negligent or tortious act or omission, breach of duty, breach of contract or breach of statutory duty on the part of the Organisers or Related Parties. 

Competitors need to send there signed waiver (once you made it as a finalist you will receive the document to sign via mail/link).
 

Photos/videos/livestream

Competitors are aware that they will be photographed and/or videoed during their performance, and that the event may be livestreamed.

The competitor acknowledges that photos or video may be published by the Organisers.

The competitor releases all rights or claims over any photos or videos, and acknowledges that such material is the property of and can be used by the Organisers for promotional or other uses, without compensation to the competitor.

Competitors may film their own performances and post 1 min clips to social media. Competitors may post their full performances publicly 8 weeks after the event is over, but not before - unless Pole Theatre has released the official videos.