Promoters Packet

Miss Gay Maryland America Promoter Guidelines

Thank you for your interest in promoting a city level preliminary to Miss Gay Maryland America (MGMDA). This pageant system has been in existence since 1985 and has been the most prestigious pageant system in the state. Because we pride ourselves on excellence, we expect no less from our promoters. Miss Gay

Maryland America is a family and it starts with the foundation and dedication of our city level promoters. As a promoter we have strict guidelines in order to make sure the system and contestants are protected, as well as to ensure the interested parties are 100% committed. Below you will find the guidelines for being a promoter.

The franchise fee of any city level preliminary to Miss Gay Maryland America is $300.00. This fee covers the application / entry fee for both of your contestants to enter Miss Gay Maryland America. You will also receive 2 complimentary general admission tickets into Miss Gay Maryland America.
The promoter is responsible to purchase the official city preliminary tiara from Made for A Queen jeweler. The price of the tiara will be given to you by Lucinda Holliday.
After the franchise fee is paid, the promoter may be able to announce the date and

venue for the preliminary. If an official flyer is being made, the flyer must have the

MGMDA logo plus a photograph of the reigning Miss Gay Maryland America.

The reigning Miss Gay Maryland America receives a titleholder fee of $150.00 to

administer each preliminary.

A complete list of the prize package will also be requested for the winner and 1st

alternate. The standard cash prize is set at $250 for the winner ($125 night of crowning and $125 when they relinquish the title),

$125for the 1st alternate, and $75 for the 2nd Alternate. Any cash prize above the minimum is set by the city prelim promoter.

All city level promoters must adhere to the rules and regulations

provided by the national Miss Gay America office. Those rules and regulations can be found at www.missgayamerica.com

All judges must be submitted to the state office a month prior to contest for approval
All advertisements pertaining to the preliminary pageant must be approved by the state office before being released. Once advertisements are approved they will be updated on the Miss Gay Maryland website within twenty four hours
For all city preliminaries, entry fee for potential contestants is $75
Once the number of preliminaries to MGMDA have been set, we will decide if each city preliminary will take only the winner or the winner and first alternate.

If the above rules and guidelines are agreed to, and the franchise fee

is paid in full, you will then be sent a link to complete the contract between said party and the MGMDA Office.

Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to Tom Marston (MGMDA Promoter) at beddingwithtom@gmail.com or Tatiyanna Voche’ (MGMDA Pageant Director) at Jonathanvoche@gmail.com

Miss Gay America Category Descriptions

Category and calculation of scores. There are 5 main categories Personal Interview, Presentation, Evening Gown, On-stage question, and Talent. Each category is work a maximum value of 100 points per

judge using 4 subcategories for each with a point range of 0 to 25. of the total overall scores

Personal Interview is worth 20% of the competition Presentation is worth 10% of the competition Evening Gown is worth 20% of the competition On-Stage is worth 10% of the competition

Talent is worth 40% of the competition

Each category has a weighted percent

Forexamplethemaximumtotalofanyonecategoryis500pointswith5judges. So interview would be calculated as follows (500 x .2 = 100 Points)

If you scored a perfect 500 points 100 points would contribute to the overall score that is ranked in the pageant for that category.

PERSONAL INTERVIEW

General Appearance- Personality-
Ability to Communicate- Answer Content-

Total points

0 to 25 Points
0 to 25 Points
0 to 25 Points
0 to 25 Points
100 possible points per judge

The purpose of Personal Interview is to place the contestant in a situation answering different types of questions and judging how he will react to their diversity. The context of the answer is important but more important is how the contestant conveys that answer. Eye contact with all the judges is very important, not just the judge who has asked the question. The contestant should answer the judges’ questions and do not get involved in getting the opinion of the judge. The contestant is judged on the presentation of thoughts. The contestant should look comfortable in properly fitted attire, but not to the point of sloppiness. Points will be deducted for ill-fitting jackets, pants too long or short, socks that do not match the colors in the outfit, scuffed shoes, too much jewelry, wrinkled, torn, or soiled clothing, buttons missing etc., and/or anything that distracts from the outfit to make it unsightly. The contestant is judged on the look that the contestant has chosen for himself. Usually, trendy outfits do not appeal to the judges, just as they may not appeal to the average interviewer. The key word is average but sharp in appearance. The contestant will be trying to impress and appeal to different types of judges. The flamboyant look will not appeal to every type of judge. The interview category should last no longer than eight (8) minutes. A contestant may compete in the Male Interview category with “feminine” finger nails, however, contestants should be cautious of excessive use of hand gestures, that might distract from the general presentation of the contestant.

A Great Personal Interview.....

(an article, written by MAD ANGEL Entertainment, and published in “The Excellence” Newsletter)

More often than not, the interview categories of competition determine the winner of a contest...especially in the “close call” pageants. We continue to advise that contestants should never “give” points to the other contestants yet we see quite often, contestants who have focused on one particular category of competition and has not paid attention to detail, of all of the categories and in many cases, the lack of attention to detail in the Male Interview Category can decide the results of a contest.

The Personal Interview category allows you to present your male persona to the judges. In the duties of Miss Gay America, you will most likely have to work as a male during, registration, contestant orientation and judges’ orientation therefore a professional male image is just as important as a professional image in your female persona. In fact, as the reigning Miss Gay America, you may be asked to assist in obtaining national sponsors or conduct other official business as a representative of the Miss Gay America pageant system and the Personal Interview category will help the judges determine your effectiveness as a male. After all, this contest is about a man impersonating a woman. Your time to convince the world that you are a woman is when you are on-stage...otherwise your male persona will most definitely play a role in your year as a Miss Gay America.

The eight minutes of Personal Interview can be the worst experience of the competition, or you can make the Personal Interview competition a fun, informative talk with the judges to allow them to get to know you.

There are four (4) subcategories, noted below, that comprise the 100 possible points of the Personal Interview category. This article will hopefully provide direction to you as a contestant concerning this category and how to realize maximum points.

The interview portion accounts for 20 percent of the total score. The score will be calculated by (Total Score x .2 = Ranked Score)

General Appearance- Personality-
Ability to Communicate- Answer Content-

Total points

General Appearance-

0 to 25 Points
0 to 25 Points
0 to 25 Points
0 to 25 Points
100 possible points per judge

0 to 25 possible subcategory points

The general appearance subcategory allows the judges to score based on your total look. Judges are asked not to discount points if the contestant has lady finger nails however one must assume that the nails will distract from the interview... You should dress as if you are going to a professional job interview (since the title of Miss Gay America is a job) therefore it is suggested that you wear a suit for interview. Keep in mind that sometimes, the flamboyant look may not appeal to all judges and that a conservative look usually scores higher within this subcategory.

Questions you should ask yourself to ensure maximum points include: Does the suit and tie complement each other?
Is the suit soiled?
Are the clothes wrinkled?

Do the socks match the outfit?
Do the clothes fit? (including suit jacket, shirt, slacks) Is the Neck of the shirt too large? Too small?
Is the knot of the tie appropriately fitted?
Are the shoes scuffed? Are the shoes polished?
Are shoes too casual for the outfit?
Is the hair neat?
Is jewelry too flamboyant for the outfit?

Are eyebrows overemphasized, if drawn...?

Personality- 0 to 25 possible subcategory points

This is the time to show your personality to the judges. Please remember that an overbearing personality might not score well with the judges. Allow the judges to maintain control of the interview with you answering their specific questions but be sure to insert personality into your interview.

Questions you should ask yourself to ensure maximum points include: Are your interview skills too conservative?
Are your interview skills too flamboyant?
Are your interview answers too boastful?

Is your interview too timid and/or shy?
Do you have a nervous laugh?
Are your answers sincere and to the point?
Do you tend to ramble without directly answering the question?
Is your true persona shining through, if not, judges will most likely detect a “false” interview.

Ability to Communicate- 0 to 25 possible subcategory points

This subcategory allows the judges to score you based on your communication technique and abilities.

Questions you should ask yourself to ensure maximum points include: Do you properly enunciate your words?
Do you speak too fast? Too slow?
How is your grammar when speaking?

Do you say, “you know” too often?
Do you make eye contact with each of the judges (not just the judge asking the question) Are you confident in your answers?
Do your answers sound too rehearsed?
Are your answers sincere?
Do you seem too arrogant?
Do you seem too shy?

Answer Content- 0 to 25 possible subcategory points

While we generally say that there is no correct or incorrect answer, the judges will most likely be able to determine if you are dishonest in your answers. You should be prepared to answer administrative type questions, in detail, to show the judges that you are prepared for the job of a Miss Gay America.

Questions you should ask yourself to ensure maximum points include:
• Is your biography too lengthy? (your biography should include brief statements concerning your

past, present, and future). Any lengthy elaboration concerning your biography should come from a

question asked by a judge.
• Are your answers too “closed ended”?
• Are you familiar with the Miss Gay America system regulations in order to effectively answer

administrative type questions? • Do you ramble in your answers?

Please keep in mind that the purpose of Male Interview is to allow the judges to get to know you while seeing your ability to communicate and your knowledge of administrative skills.

We are questioned quite often regarding the appropriateness of a contestant bringing a resume’ to the interview. The judges may not mind receiving a resume’ and photo from you however since the interview is only eight minutes, they will not have time to review your resume’ while they are scoring you. Our recommendation is that if you feel the need to provide the judges with a resume, do so at the end of your interview, so as not to consume any of your interview time with distribution. Your interview time begins as soon as you enter the room, therefore time is limited, so use it wisely.

We are also asked if it is appropriate to shake hands with the judges, at the beginning of the interview. Our advice to you is that if you feel that you must shake the hand of the judges, do so at the conclusion of the interview. Some judging panels may not wish for contestants to make physical contact with you, in which case your promoter will advise of any limitations that exist, concerning the judges.

At the beginning of the interview, the Lead Judge will ask you to be seated and provide a brief biography. Please keep your biography brief and to the point, and again, be sure to include past, present and future statements. Many judges prefer to ask questions derived from statements you make in your biography, therefore you should be prepared to answer a wide variety of questions.

The panel of judges will not usually be provided with specific questions to ask except for Administrative type questions, which suggested administrative questions might be provided, to be asked, by the judges. Judges are instructed, not to ask questions of a religious or political nature.

In summary, Personal Interview, if prepared for, can provide positive results. We recommend that you gather a group of individuals to assist you with preparation for Personal Interview. While we recognize that the process is “un-nerving”, you can make the experience a pleasurable conversation with the judges. This is just one of five categories in which you must score well, in order to become the next Miss Gay America, therefore we suggest that you begin your preparation today, in order to realize the success in scoring that you would like to see from a good Personal Interview....

Presentation

Creativity - Relativity to theme Modeling

Construction of Costume

Total points

0 to 25 Points
0 to 25 Points
0 to 25 Points
0 to 25 Points
100 possible points per judge

At the national pageant on final night, after the top 10 are announced following the opening production, only the top 10 contestants will be judged in “Presentation”. The top 10 contestants will remain on stage and be called forward one at a time to present their “Presentation costume to the judges. The costume should be in theme with what the reigning Miss Gay America chose for that year’s pageant. Miss Gay America will communicate that theme to the judges about what was communicated to the contestants for that year. Costumes that are made or made to be original will score higher in originality and creativeness.

Presentations costume guidelines
a. Must be worn so that the contestant can walk on to the stage without assistance. b. Presentation costume may not have wheels or supports that rest on the stage.

c. Costumes may have lights or motorized parts but must be battery operated. No power or extension cords should be required to power costume components.

The City, State, or Regional Titleholders must provide a written description of their theme. This should be provided to the promoter in enough time to communicate it to the potential contestants if it will be a judged category. State and Regional presentation descriptions can be posted to their section of the Miss Gay America website and should be shared on social media so all participants understand what is expected.

In a City, State or Regional that have an elimination round to a top group. That top group will be judged on their “Presentation” Costume. If there is no elimination round all contestants will be judged on “Presentation” after the opening number.

Judging on “Presentation” should move along quickly and each contestant should have no less than 1 minute to show the judges their costume and not more than 1 to 1.5 minutes.

Presentation will account for 10 percent of your total ranked score. It will be calculated (Total score x .1 = New Ranked score)

EVENING GOWN

Suitability for Evening Gown - Suitability of Hairstyle -
Presentation
(Modeling Technique, Poise, Smile, Etc.)- General Appearance

0 to 25 Points 0 to 25 Points

0 to 25 Points (Make-Up, Shoes, Gown Condition, Accessories)- 0 to 25 Points

TOTAL POINTS 100 possible points per judge

Evening Gown will be the most elegant apparel of the pageant. It should complement the contestant’s figure. It will be a statement of the contestant’s style and taste. The dress and accessories should be in perfect condition. It is the contestant’s responsibility to take care of the gown and keep the gown in perfect condition for the duration of the pageant. The hem of the gown should be even unless the style of the gown is an uneven bottom. The gown should be lined or have a slip underneath. The judges should not be able to see through any part of the gown unless that is the style of the gown. In general, the gown length should be a full-length gown, (either to the top of the toe part of the shoe or approximately 1/2 inch above the floor, unless the style of the gown warrants different measurement i.e. ballroom style gown or tulip-contoured styled gown). There should be no break in the hem of the gown (it should hang straight.) The sleeve should be no shorter than the wrist and no longer than an inch below the wrist unless the design of the gown sleeve is longer. A V-neck is acceptable but, if it is cut too low, it may look less feminine. Jewelry should accessorize and not be over-powering. Shoes should match and complement the gown. Shoes should not be scuffed, worn at the toe or heels, and not seen to bend under the weight of the contestant. Modeling should be a slow easy pace, touching the three points that form a triangle. At each point, the contestant will make a slow turn, facing the back of the stage, pause, and turn to the front of the stage. Modeling can be “free-style” (no boundaries i.e. no hand gesture limitations in your modeling presentation) however one should keep in mind the “mood of elegance” during your presentation. “Overstated presentation” of evening gown may not appeal to every judge. Each contestant will model their evening gown for a minimum of two minutes but not greater than two and one-half minutes. If a judge wants a closer look, they can motion the contestant to the judge’s table. Hair should be appropriate for eveningwear and compliment both the contestant and the style of the gown. Hair can be in any style, including either an “up-style” or “down-
style” provided it is complimentary to the overall look of the contestant. Hair jewelry is discouraged as it may be not appeal to every judge. If a contestant is selected as a Top 10 finalists, he has the OPTION to alter/change his “final night” evening gown competition package from that which was presented during preliminary night evening gown competition. Tattoos should not be visible during the evening gown competition and properly covered by your gown or makeup.

A Fitting Gown- Sequins/Beads vs. Fabric or Hair-up vs. Hair-down......

(an article, written by MAD ANGEL Entertainment, published in “The Excellence” Newsletter)

As many of you are preparing for your preliminaries, you must ask yourself many questions about your competition package to ensure that you do not loose any points, for every point matters, therefore you should look for ways to improve your overall competition package to ensure that you are not giving “point advantage” to your competitors.

One of the most common questions that we continue to receive is concerning evening gown. We are constantly asked if, during Gown Competition, do we prefer a sequined/beaded gown, when compared to the fabric gown. Our answer is always that it is not necessarily what we prefer to see in Gown Competition, as we are not the judges however, we are of opinion that either can be very elegant and compliment a contestant. Also, either can be harmful to the overall score of the contestant. The answer to the question of beaded or fabric is not clear and should not be given as a “blanket answer”. It all depends on the particular contestant. The Miss Gay America system is known for being the best of the best and while most of the winners have won with beaded/sequined gowns, we see times changing and more often, we see contestants competing (especially in preliminary contests) in fabric gowns during competition (some with success and some without). We caution that careful consideration should be made regarding gown selection. We have heard many state that a particular style gown is not suited for the “Miss Gay America system” when in fact it may not be the gown that is the issue but rather the contestant. A gown in and of itself can be a very elegant creation...until it is placed on the contestant, then it takes a personality of its own.

Gown category is comprised of a possible 150 points (with four (4) subcategories as detailed below):

Suitability of the gown (0-30 possible points)- You must remember than not every style of gown will look great on every contest.
Questions you should ask yourself include...

Does the gown compliment your figure?
Is the neckline of the gown suitable for the contestant? (sometimes a low-cut neckline can look

masculine on a contestant)

Are body pads too much? Not enough?
Is the gown ill fitted?
Hemline too short or long? (A properly fitted gown should be to the top part of the shoe or

approximately 1⁄2 inch above the floor, unless the style of the gown warrants different measurement

i.e. ballroom style gown or tulip-contoured styled gown)

Sleeves too short or long? (sleeves should be no shorter than the wrist, while the arm is bent and no

longer than an inch below the wrist when the arm is hanging straight).

If the “nude body” material is used on portions of the gown...does it look un-natural or wrinkled?

• If the gown is sleeveless, does the arms look to “manly”? (a sleeveless gown should not be worn if the judges can see the “man in the dress”)

You should not attempt to remedy an ill fitted gown with pads, as usually this creates an unnatural look. A sleeveless gown may look great on one contestant, and awful on another. A fabric gown may compliment the figures of some, while insult the figure of others.

Suitability of the hairstyle (0 to 20 possible points)- Questions you should ask yourself include:
Does the style of hair compliment the contestants face? Does the style of hair emphasize a long face?

Is the style of the hair appropriate for the style of gown?
Does the color of hair compliment the makeup and gown color?
Does the hair look too stiff?
Does the hair look un-kept?
Is hairline unnatural (front and back?)
Is there any hair jewelry? (not advised as this is deemed, more often than not, to be excessive and distracts from a lovely hair style)

Presentation (modeling, poise, smile) (0-40 possible points)-

Questions you should ask yourself include...
Is modeling smooth (natural) and not too deliberate?
Are hand gestures excessive?
Is the “free-style” modeling “over the top”? (Too much for evening gown competition?)
Are beads crunched during modeling? (this can take away from the elegant mood the contestant attempts to create)
Do you know how to appropriately model a train?
Are the three triangle points touched when modeling the gown?

We have seen some contestants that can put on a pair of tennis shoes and walk like a princess, then put on a pair of heels and walk like a “linebacker”. Typically, gowns that look and sound heavy, while being modeled do not score as well, when compared to gowns that look lighter.

General appearance (makeup, hair, condition of gown, accessories, shoes etc) (0-60 possible points)-
Questions you should ask yourself include...
Is the lining wrinkled?

Does the hem lay? Does the hem tend to roll? Does the neckline pucker?
Are there tears in the fabric?
Are beads or sequins missing?

Any strings hanging?
Is the hemline appropriate for the style of the gown?
Does the contestant look “manly” in the gown?
Do shoes match the gown?
Are shoes scuffed or look too worn/aged?
Does the shoe bend under the weight of the contestant?
Is the heel of the shoe too much? Not enough?
Do the shoes compliment the gown?
Do they distract from the overall appearance of the gown?

Are accessories too much? Not enough? Is cleavage contour natural?
Is makeup too harsh?
Is makeup too soft?

Are breast pads even?
Are breast pads over bearing?
Are hip pads/buttock pads, if worn, too much?
Are hip pads/buttock pads, if worn, not enough?
Is the contestant showing a tattoo?
Has the contestant made an unsuccessful attempt to cover a tattoo?
Is the jewelry too over-powering/gaudy? Rings too large? Ear-rings too large? Does the jewelry compliment the gown, rather than distract from it?

Does the contestant need to wear a heavier slip underneath the gown (as you should not be able to see through the gown, unless the style of the gown warrants)?

The only general advice that should be given regarding Gown competition is that gown is the most elegant phase of competition and is clearly THE category that you must completely, without question, show the judges the illusion of a female. Other categories can disguise the illusion with costuming, props dancers etc., but again, gown competition focuses on the contestant and his ability to create the illusion of a woman, not the illusion of a “man in a dress”.

We see far too many times, that someone has purchased a “pre-owned” gown from a person who scored well in that particular gown, only to see that the person who recently purchased the gown did not score well because the particular style of gown was not flattering to the body and was not tailored. WE rarely hear of someone purchasing a gown that does not require alterations? We even see some who have pads sown into their gown to ensure that their look in the gown is consistent.

It is all about fit, color of gown compared to color of hair, accessories (although not over powering), smile, poise, relaxation and naturalness in modeling that comprise the overall look that will score well. The judges immediately know whether they like, or dislike, your gown competition as soon as you step onto the stage. The first impression is certainly lasting during gown and if there is a prominent flaw to your gown presentation, that flaw will be evident at first glance.

In conclusion, that you must practice, practice and practice again. Practice walking in the shoes (or a pair exactly like them) to ensure familiarity with choice of shoe. Practice modeling in the gown, to ensure comfortable familiarity with the choice of gown? Practice modeling to different types of music.

Gown is the one category, for which you have complete control, including makeup, hair, fit and modeling technique. Other categories such as talent, there is always the risk of dancer error, prop setup error, wardrobe malfunction but again, there is little or no reason for not being prepared for gown competition.

The answers for gown lie with you the contestant, and your level of comfort with your gown competition, therefore you should plan ahead to ensure the highest possible gown score.

The Evening Gown category will be 20 percent of your total ranked score. This is calculated as follows (Total score x .2 = new ranked score)

ON-STAGE INTERVIEW

Personality (Professionalism)
Poise (graceful and elegant while speaking) Ability to communicate
Answer content
Total points

0 to 25 Points 0 to 25 Points 0 to 25 Points 0 to 25 Points

100 points possible per judge

Scoring should be based on personality and poise, the ability to communicate on a microphone in front of an audience, and the context of the answer in relation to the topic given. The contestants should be prepared to give a brief biography to the audience, in the instance that stall time is required. The brief biography, if needed, will not be a judged portion of the ON-Stage Question Category but rather, may be needed to “set the mood” for the On-Stage Interview.

On-Stage Question Procedures:

1. Once the contestant is approached by the emcee (for the On Stage Question), the contestant shall be asked to provide a brief biography, which will not be adjudicated by the Panel of Judges.

After the contestant has completed the biography, the emcee shall ask the contestant to draw a question from the inventory of questions. Once the contestant has drawn the question, the contestant shall immediately provide the drawn question to the emcee so that the emcee may read the question (aloud) two times whereby the contestant shall then provide their answer to the question. It is recommended that questions are type- written whereby each question is in an envelope. The font for the type-written question should be large enough for the emcee to easily read.
At the option of the Promoter, the group of Top 10 finalists (or fewer finalist if the particular pageant has a “finalist” competition, usually for closed-state pageants) can be narrowed to a group of Top 5 finalists (or one-half of the numbers of finalists competing in the final night competition. Example: If there are a group of Top 10 finalists competing, then a Top 5 only may answer the On Stage Question.... If there is a group of Top 8 finalists competing, then a Top 4 finalist may answer the On Stage Question... etc). If the original finalists group is narrowed, then once the group of finalists is narrowed to one-half of the original group, the contestants that were not selected as finishing finalists should be dismissed from the stage whereby only the finishing finalists remain on the stage in order to answer the on-stage question. As most Promoters will not have the capability to have a “sound-proof” environment for all finishing finalist, a different On-Stage question should be used for each finishing finalist therefore once a particular finishing finalist has answered the on-stage question, they may remain on stage until the conclusion of the On-stage Question category competition.

Communicating through On Stage Interview.....

(an article, written by MAD ANGEL Entertainment, published in “The Excellence” Newsletter )

Do the points of On Stage Interview really matter when this category is only worth 50 points per judge? Absolutely! Many times, when the scores are extremely close, which is in most pageants, the On Stage Interview category has determined the winner. As we continue to say, you should never “give” points to your opponents. In a typical America pageant, On-Stage Interview immediately follows the Evening Gown category, therefore there will likely be a few brief moments that you must speak to the audience while the judges are completing the Evening Gown scores. Usually, you, as a contestant, will be asked to give a brief biography of yourself, prior to answering the On Stage Question. Your biography should always be brief and include past, present and future detail. Typically, the “brief biography” portion of the On Stage Interview is not judged but you should be prepared, just in case.

The On Stage Interview category allows you to present yourself, in female attire and communicate to the audience. This category will show your ability to communicate to an audience and the ability to answer a question. Public speaking is a very important part of the job as a Miss Gay America, not only during your reign but after your reign as many will call upon you, as the most recent former Miss Gay America, to emcee their contest therefore it is strongly recommended that you obtain as much experience as possible, to emcee.

It has been said, that sometimes, questions for On Stage Interview are too serious or too difficult to answer. We stress to you that a Miss Gay America must be a well-rounded, “best of the best” contestant and this category is just one of five, designed to prove that you are not only well rounded, but are truly, one of the very best in your craft. Questions asked will vary so you should be prepared to answer most any question, except for those that are political or religious in nature. Your choice to answer your question in terms of politics or religion is up to you...

It is also thought that it is difficult to inject personality into the answer of a serious On Stage question. This is true, but it can be done. You must find ways to make your Stage Interview more appealing to the judges, such as changing voice tones, speaking with passion during your answer and showing enthusiasm. Remember, judges usually see through a phony answer, so keep it “real”.

There are two (2) subcategories, noted below, that comprise the 50 possible points (per judge) of the On Stage Interview category. This article will hopefully provide direction to you, the contestant, concerning this category and how to realize maximum points.

Scoring should be based on personality and poise, the ability to communicate on a microphone in front of an audience, and the context of the answer in relation to the topic given.

The On-Stage Question accounts for 10 percent of your overall score. This is calculated as (Total score x .1 = new ranked score)

Personality (Professionalism) 0 to 25 possible subcategory points
This sub-category is how your personality comes off while speaking to an audience. Are you confident, honest, and comfortable in front of an audience? Does your personality carry through from interview?

Poise 0 to 25 possible subcategory points
This sub-category is about your posture, are you standing confidently, eye contact with the judges and audience. You may lose points if you are slouching or fidgeting while on stage.

Ability to Communicate- 0 to 25 possible subcategory points
This sub-category is your opportunity to clearly communicate with the audience. You are not only scored on what you say, but how you say it...

Questions you might wish to ask yourself to ensure maximum points are: Is your interview too conservative?
Are your interview skills too flamboyant?
Are your interview answers too boastful?

Is your interview answer too timid and/or shy? Do you have a nervous laugh?

Are your answers sincere?
Are your answers to the point?
Do you tend to ramble without directly answering the question? Do you properly enunciate your words?
Do you speak too fast? Too slow?
How is your grammar when speaking?
Do you say, “you know” or “um” too often?
Do you make eye contact with the judges and/or audience?
Are you confident in your answers?
Do your answers sound too rehearsed?
Are your answers sincere?
Do you seem too arrogant?

Answer Content- 0 to 25 possible subcategory points
This sub-category is your opportunity to clearly communicate the answer of the question, to the judges and the audience. While we generally say that there is no correct or incorrect answer, the judges will most likely be able to determine if you are dishonest in your answers or if you have not answered the question. You should answer the question that is asked and do not elaborate on issues that are unrelated to your question.

Questions you should ask yourself to ensure maximum points include:

Are your answers too brief?
Are you familiar with the Miss Gay America system regulations in order to effectively answer

administrative type questions?

Do you ramble in your answers?
Are you answering the question(s) asked?

Preparation for this category, as in all others is very important. Perhaps you could get others to rehearse with you, the On Stage Category. Perhaps you can emcee a show as often as possible. While it is recognized that sometimes you, as the contestant, might experience “stage fright” during On Stage Question, the more experience you have as an emcee, the less likely you are to “freeze” during this category.

In summary, the On Stage Question category, though very simple in description can become quite complex, considering your question is unknown therefore you, as the contestant are encouraged to become well versed on many issues, to better prepare you for this category. Again, we recommend that you gather a group of individuals to assist you with preparation for On Stage Question. This is just one of five categories in which you must score well, in order to become the next Miss Gay America, therefore we suggest that you begin your preparation today, in order to realize the success in scoring that you would like to see from good communication through the On Stage Interview category....

TALENT

Showmanship and Set Design- Choreography-

(Physical Coordination and Stage Presence (Including Dancers) Quality
(Lip-Sync, Live Vocal, and/or Other Entertainment)
Originality and Entertainment Value-

0 to 25 Points 0 to 25 Points

0 to 25 Points

Total points

100 possible points per judge

Talent is the highest point category in the pageant. Contestants will be judged on their quality of lip-sync, live vocal, or other entertainment. Judges will be looking to see if the contestant knows the words to their song and finishes each word. Just knowing the words is not enough. The contestant should also look as if they are actually singing the song. Is it believable? If it is a live performance, is the talent of good quality? If there is choreography, the dancers should know the steps and the steps should flow. The contestant should not attempt to do something that is beyond their talent. If dancers or actors are used in the presentation, they should not “upstage” the contestant. The contestant is responsible for the performance of others. If a member of the dance troop does not know their dance, points will be deducted from the score. Quality of set design and construction will be judged. Quantity of set is not judged. Do not put something on the stage that is not going to be used or does not have relation to the talent. Contestants are responsible for their sets. If it falls apart or collapses on stage, points will be deducted from the score. Costuming and set design should reflect the mood one is trying to establish. Always examine your presentation for entertainment value. Does it please, cause laughter, sadness or stir some other emotion? Talent presentations will be limited to seven (7) minutes. No score will be given in the talent category for any presentation over seven (7) minutes in length. Talent presentation music / video must be on a high quality CD-R or Flash Drive and must be the only item burned onto the CD / Flash Drive. The following must be either written (with permanent marker) on the face of the CD or there should be a “standard CD label” that contains the following:...Talent, “Name of Contestant”, “Name of Talent Presentation” and “Track #___”. The CD must be submitted in a standard CD case. The standard CD case label should contain the following:... “Name of Contestant”, “Contestant # ___”, “Name of the Talent Presentation: ________” and “Track #___” . Prop set-up time will be limited to three (3) minutes. Prop set-up time is not included in the seven (7) minute limit contestants are allowed for talent competition. Twenty-five (25) points will be deducted from the administrative score if prop set-up is over three (3) minutes. If a contestant is selected as a Top 10 finalist, he has the OPTION to alter his “final night” talent competition package including music / video.

A Winning Talent....

(an article, written by MAD ANGEL Entertainment, published in “The Excellence” Newsletter)

The category of talent is the highest scoring category within the Miss Gay America pageant system. Some contestants tend to primarily focus on this category to ensure the maximum number of points, in effort to win a competition when in fact, consistently high scores in each category is what usually yields the winner. Concerning talent, you name it, and we have seen it but there remain many untapped sources of originality. The talent category is designed to showcase your ability to entertain, coordinate costume and create stage set-up that will be entertaining to both the judges and the audience. Very few have been successful in being a “one-man band” during talent but it can be done.... One does not need to have a huge production to be successful, but if you choose to compete with no-one or nothing but you (the contestant) on the stage, it has to be quality enough to sustain scrutiny of the judges. Because you are allowed seven (7) minutes, does not necessarily mean that you should take the entire time allowed for your talent presentation. We have heard some judges comment that some talent presentations should be greater in length, while others should be shorter in length. When selecting a talent, you need to understand the sub-category scoring and be sure that you will score well when subject to the scrutiny of the judges. It has been said, many times, that the outcome of a contest might have been totally different with a different panel of judges however your ultimate goal should be to select a talent that will score well with any panel of judges (from all races, genders, and backgrounds). This is not so easy to accomplish but rest assured that if you consider your talent presentation based on the subcategory scoring components, you will score higher.

We have detailed below the sub-category descriptions of the Talent category and have noted questions that you might wish to ask yourself when selecting a talent. Remember, that in any phase of competition, your choice of what you will do in that category should appeal to the majority of the panel of judges. You may wish to think of your talent for the values noted below, then consider if the talent selection would appeal to most people.

The Talent Category accounts for 40 percent of your total score. This is calculated (Total score x .4 = New ranked total)

Showmanship and Set Design (0 to 25 possible points) -

What is the look of the set design?
Does the set design compliment the theme of your talent?
Does the set design compliment the stage?
If props are on stage, will they be used (example: why have a chair in your set design if it does not compliment the theme of your talent, nor will it be used by you during the talent?)
Are the costumes appropriate for the talent (including dancers, if used)?
Are costumes properly fitted? (any flaws in the costume, including ill-fitted costumes should cause point deduction, including that of the dancers)
Is the music professionally mixed?
Do songs used in your mix relate to your talent?
Does your talent tell a story that you want to tell?

Choreography-(0 to 25 possible points)- (Physical Coordination and Stage Presence (Including Dancers) Is choreography appropriate for the talent?
Do dancers, “out-stage” the contestant?
Do dancers have good “chemistry” with each other?

Do dancers have good “chemistry” with the contestant? Does the choreography flow?
Is each dance move executed to the fullest extent?
Is your choreography too repetitive?

Does the appearance of the dancers complement each other (example: a very tall dancer and a very short dancer usually look odd on stage, while together)?
Do dancers know the routines (as their mistakes become point deductions of the contestant)
Is your talent so energized at the beginning that the judges will loose interest toward the end of the presentation?

Is your talent so energized at the beginning that you (or your dancers) loose energy at the end? If live vocal, have you inserted movement with your song?

Quality-(0 to 25 possible points) (Lip-Sync, Live Vocal, and/or Other Entertainment) Do you know your words? (look as if you are actually singing)
Do your dancers know their words?
Do you or your dancers “over dramatize” the words?

Do you or your dancers “under dramatize” the words?
If live vocal, do you sing on key? On beat?
Is there any offensive language in your Talent that might cause a judge to discount points because of the offensive language?
If you are imitating a character...do you look like the character? Do you act like the character?

Originality and Entertainment Value -(0 to 25 possible points) Is your talent truly entertaining?
Does your talent stir emotion (laughter, sadness, etc)
Is the length of your talent too long?

Is the length of your talent too short?

Is your talent Original?
If not, did you make it your own?
If it’s an impersonation did you add to the production value?

Whatever your talent....be sure that it is entertaining. Many contestants might score well in all subcategories of Talent, except for the value as entertainment subcategory, and this could be crucial to your overall scoring in the pageant.

Talent is a very difficult category of the competition as the contestant must choose if the talent, is fitting to his capability as an entertainer. Too often contestants go for a quantity stage presence and get lost in the production. It is important to remember that any point deductions can accumulate and cost you the contest therefore the smallest of details should be reviewed to ensure that you are not losing points. Just because you are entertained by a particular talent does not mean that others will be, therefore it is a good idea to consult with many who will give you their honest opinion about your talent presentation. Talents is to showcase the contestants ability to entertain an audience, including stage presence and production, so as with any presentation, choose wisely to ensure that the talent presentation and your ability to execute your presentation, will be pleasing to the eye and ear..... Tattoos may be visible during talent if it’s part of a costume or look for the talent you are presenting.

Sample Pageant Schedule

(we highly recommend this to be followed)

5:00 Registration,Contestant Orientation

5:30 Judges And Contestant Briefing

6:00 Male Interview

7:30 Roll Call For Contestants And Judges

9:00 Doors Open

10:00 Pageant Starts

Judges Panel? What We Expect To See

We want each contestant to feel comfortable when spending their time, talents, and

money seeking success with the Miss Gay Maryland America system. We want to

really focus on having a panel that consists of all shapes, sizes, ethnicity, and knowledge. With that being said, we want to implement some guidance when

selecting your judges panel. Judges are not permitted to judge more than one city

preliminary per pageant season.

•A sample Panel of 5 Judges:

Former Miss Gay Maryland America
Person of ethnic decent ( Male or Female)
Female of Male Impersonator
Male or Female unrelated to the pageant world
Male or Female highly involved in the pageant world

Applications, Judges Books, & Pageant Reports

Applications:

All applications will be uniform for the city and state level. Once

advertisements and franchise fee have been approved and paid, potential

contestants will be able to go to the Miss Gay Maryland America website and click

on the tab pertaining to your preliminary and the application will be available there

to fill out. Applications once submitted will be sent directly to Tatiyanna Voche’ and

a copy will be sent to each promoter. The same will apply when contestants qualify

for Miss Gay Maryland America, they will go to our website and submit their

applications there. Application fee’s are due at registration, the day of the pageant.

Judges Books:

Judges books will be uniform for the city level pageants. Judges books will

be provided to you as part of your franchise fee. Tatiyanna will bring them to each

pageant and collect them at the end of the night.

Pageant Reports:

Both Promoter and Miss Gay Maryland are required to submit a pageant

report within 48 hours of completion of pageant. The pageant report form will be

available on the Miss Gay Maryland website under the promoters tab. A copy of

each submission will be sent to the state office and is strictly confidential between

Pageant Owner, Tom Marston and Pageant Director, Tatiyanna Voche’.