What To Do In Case of a Mishap on Stage

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Have you ever slipped and fallen or stumbled while dancing on stage? Had your shoe break or fly off while dancing? As per the Western Canadian Oireachtas syllabus (page 5), here is a review of what to do in case of a mishap while you are on stage at the Oireachtas:

Should a dancer fall on stage, an Adjudicator MUST ring the bell to stop the performance of the dancer(s). Dancers so affected will be permitted to redance and will be marked then at the discretion of each individual adjudicator. If, in the opinion of the stage steward, having obtained medical advice if necessary, a dancer might be deemed unfit to redance, and if such a dancer insists on their right to compete, then the dancer concerned will only be permitted to redance on completion of a declaration form exonerating WCIDTA - Western region of liability for any consequences. Any repeat accident/incident which results in that dancer being unable to complete the required number of bars of any round, will result in the dancer withdrawing without question from the Championship.

If a dancer falls during the last eight (8) bars of any performance, then, at the discretion of the panel, they may only be required to dance the last sixteen (16) bars. Where feasible, dancers will be brought back no sooner than three rotations, and no later than five rotations.

Should a dancer lose a heel or a complete shoe, or their shoe breaks, they may stand back and allow the other dancer(s), where applicable, to continue dancing uninhibited. In such a case, the dancer(s) will be permitted to redance as soon as it is deemed practical by the stage steward.

A competitor must not walk off the stage during a performance unless instructed to do so by an adjudicator. A dancer who dismisses themselves from the stage without permission of adjudicators will not be marked for that particular dance.

Another important reminder regarding check-in (please see page 4 of the syllabus): Dancers must report to the stage manager at least 30 minutes prior to the scheduled start time for their competition, to collect their competition number. Once the first dancer has commenced, late arrivals will be disqualified and will not be permitted to dance.

Wishing all dancers an enjoyable and mishap-free Oireachtas!