DNZANDO is part of OPTIMUM, a network of international events and competitions. Starting in 2024, OPTIMUM will be offering an exclusive event, a kind of "GOT TALENT" event, accessible by invitation only, reserved for the winners of the various competitions. A showcase of authentic talent, with cash prizes and various opportunities. Special prizes, awarded at the discretion of each judge, include invitations to workshops (including with companies), seminars, and professional courses. For teachers, invitations to support directors or choreographers during the company's work, as teachers in seminars or workshops, as guests, and to present their work on platforms dedicated to new emerging choreographers. The concept that gave birth to OPTIMUM is an experiment that challenges the rules of normal competitions, and we would be delighted to experience it with you. In fact, on OPTIMUM's exclusive stage, only those who have won an international competition and, therefore, received their prize and recognition for the excellence of their technique will perform. OPTIMUM aims to break with convention and more broadly reward art, understood as the ability to communicate emotions and transport the audience into your world, rather than good technique, which you have already demonstrated you possess. Dance is art, and when you go to a museum, you are free to move from Renaissance to Futurist paintings; when you read a book, you go from a romantic one to a mystery one; when you listen to music, you go from blues to rock, and so on. OPTIMUM was created to reward the ability to act, express art, engage the audience, and convey emotions, whatever the style performed. In fact, it is purely a "GOT TALENT". The jury, made up of highly experienced directors and choreographers, will be able to evaluate your performances exclusively as a wonderful art form, in all its complexity and plenitude.
next edition of OPTIMUM will be held
Saturday 5th of July, 2025 in LIVORNO (Italy)
with a real challenge among the winners of those competitions:
RULES OF OPTIMUM COMPETITION
ART. 1 : DESCRIPTION
The OPTIMUM choreographic competition is open to dancers of any nationality, provided they have been awarded in one of the affiliated competitions and have obtained an invitation from the jury. The choreography presented must be the same one that received the invitation. The organization reserves the right to make any changes to the program, for organizational needs, as well as modify the categories, for the sole purpose of keeping the spirit of confrontation and competition high. Failure to comply with this regulation will result in exclusion from the competition.
ART. 2 : SECTIONS AND CATEGORIES
SECTIONS: soloists, 2-4 and groups
CATEGORIES:
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JUNIOR : born between 2009 and 2012
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SENIOR : born in 2008 or before
DURATION;
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SOLOISTS: 2 minutes
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2-4: 3 minutes
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GROUPS: 4 minutes
ART. 3 : PRIZES
For each category, 1st, 2nd and 3rd will be awarded.
Among the winners of all categories, cash prizes will be awarded to the highest scores overall:
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SOLOISTS: 1st €300
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2-4 and GROUPS: 1st €500
There are special prizes, awarded at the sole discretion of the jury, including scholarships from academies and/or companies and invitations.
ART. 4 : REGISTRATION, DEADLINE AND FEE
The choreography and the dancers has to be the same who received the invitation. The deadline is 15 may, sending a confirmation by email to optimumcompetition@gmail.com, which will be followed by the instructions for making the payment of the registration fee:
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SOLO: €50
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2-4 (pas de deux/trio and quartets): €30 per person
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GROUPS: €20 for each dancer.
ART. 5 : HOW THE COMPETITION IS CARRIED OUT
STAGE: All performances will take place with fixed light. The Theater has a stage of 10x10 m with 2 wings per side, slope of 2%. REHEARSAL: There are no rehearsals, but once you have checked-in, during the breaks it will be possible to visit the stage and make collective space rehearsals.
CHECK-IN: check-in times will be communicated by email. At Check-In, the group leaders will be given the passes, which must be worn for the entire duration of the event. Each teacher must have a USB stick (no CDs or mobile phones) with backup music (MP3 only), to be used in case of emergency. The use of scenography, tools, objects or substances that could damage or make the stage slippery will not be allowed, under penalty of disqualification. Unless otherwise indicated by the jury or the organization, applause is not permitted.
ART. 6 : JURY AND EVALUATION CRITERIA
The technical jury will be made up of well-known international personalities, whose names will be made public as soon as the various agreements have been defined. The judgments of the technical jury determine the category rankings and are expressed in hundredths and counted exclusively on a mathematical basis. The awarding of prizes is reserved (except in cases of ex-aequo) to the 3 choreographies which, in each category, will obtain the highest scores. If it deems it appropriate, the jury may not award some prizes.
ART. 7 : ACCESS TO THE THEATER PREMISES AND TICKETS
Access to the dressing rooms, stage and backstage will be allowed to dancers and only to the choreographer, equipped with a pass. The public will be able to attend by purchasing the ticket at the box office at a cost of €10, following the instructions that will be given by email.
ART. 8 : VIDEO-PHOTOSHOOT
Videos/photos will not be allowed, entrusted exclusively to professional operators, who will take care of their sale and dissemination.
ART. 9 : CONCLUSIONS
The votes of the jury are final. Participants must comply with the regulation and registration terms. Failure to comply with the regulation will result in exclusion from the competition.