Thread: Competitions & Props

Hello! I just recently competed in my first belly dance competition. Although my performance was the best I have ever done, I did not even place. I noticed on the score sheet that the women who won, got 20 extra points for using a prop.

Since this was my first time competing, I was wondering why using a prop would earn someone extra points. I believe that props are used just to enhance a performance and that they distract from the skills of the actual dancer. Does anyone else agree?

It must vary from competition to competition. The ones I am familiar with do not give extra points for props, not even zills, which I don't consider a prop. I happen to love dancing with props and I think they should enhance the dance and not distract.

Now you have information about that competition. It's always good to get a copy of the score sheets ahead of time, if you request it from the organizer you should be able to have that information as you prepare. And study all of the rules carefully so that you don't lose any points by going over the time limit or using non-Middle Eastern music or something like that.

It's best to go into a competition with the attitude of just doing your best and understanding that the results are just a snapshot of that particular day with that particular set of judges and set of rules. Don't take it too hard, or too personally. Try and learn from the experience.

Did they get extra points just for using a prop regardless of whether they used it well or badly? I can see including some points for using a prop well. Can also see loss of points for introducing a prop one is not proficient with: that bad zilling which is so much worse than no zilling at all, putting something on one's head that keeps falling off, etc. Ability with props is a valid part of a dancer's set of skills, but no props is better than bad props.
R

Originally Posted by thussell

Since this was my first time competing, I was wondering why using a prop would earn someone extra points. I believe that props are used just to enhance a performance and that they distract from the skills of the actual dancer. Does anyone else agree?

It depends on the prop and the dancer. Someone who handles a cane gracefully and in a way that pays homage to the Saidi tradition is worth more to me than someone who does a veil routine that is all veil and little dancing. Of course, the first example is also worth more to me than someone who does a trick-heavy double cane routine that's all about how wildly she could twirl while doing backbends without losing her grip, and little about showing that she understood how an Egyptian dancer would use a cane.

I can see how props might enhance your scoring, but I would weight it based on proficiency using it, context, and whether the overall routine looked more like "art" or "circus sideshow."

Originally Posted by Rosette

Did they get extra points just for using a prop regardless of whether they used it well or badly? I can see including some points for using a prop well. Can also see loss of points for introducing a prop one is not proficient with: that bad zilling which is so much worse than no zilling at all, putting something on one's head that keeps falling off, etc. Ability with props is a valid part of a dancer's set of skills, but no props is better than bad props.
R

In the competition I just competed in, props are scored on a -5 to +5 basis. So if you do a prop and mess it up entirely, you may actually lose points.

Some competitions, such as the recent NEBDC, specify in the rules that "(-20-+20) prop- props are not required. If used, they can add to or subtract from your score. If it does not add to the performance, points will be taken away. What goes on stage with you should come off with you. Up to 5 bonus points possible for each prop. Max bonus= 20 pts. A veil that is quickly discarded after entrance is NOT a prop."

Here are the complete rules - props are mentioned at the end of the Technique section of the scoring. Northeast Belly Dance Competition, Judges

For the Maqam Challenge, the rules say "FOR ALL CATEGORIES
PROPS (not required, maximum 2 props) -5 to 5 POINTS
Skillful usage of props in a way that enhances the overall dance performance
Smooth transitions in adding/discarding of props
IMPORTANT: Prop points can fall anywhere on the –5 to 5 scale. No points are awarded automatically for prop usage.
*note: entrances where the prop is discarded quickly does not count as prop usage"

Their complete rules are here - https://content.maqam.com/promos/pop...ngCriteria.htm. Prop info is at the very bottom.

I'm sure we can find more examples. Point being, each competition is different regarding prop usage. If you're really good with the prop, it can add points, if not, it can subtract (as it should be with any aspect of the performance, I would think).

Originally Posted by thussell

Since this was my first time competing, I was wondering why using a prop would earn someone extra points.