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🎭 Step Into the Spotlight: A Step-by-Step Guide to Performing & Competing in Pole

Performing on stage can feel exciting, nerve-wracking, and transformative all at once. Whether you’re curious about joining our Fly Together Fitness Showcase or preparing for a Pole Sport Organization (PSO) competition, here’s a clear roadmap to help you shine.


1. Ask Yourself: Why Perform?

Performing isn’t just about tricks — it’s about growth.

  • Showcases help you build confidence, explore creativity, and experience stage presence in a supportive, no-pressure environment.

  • Competitions give you structured feedback, technical growth opportunities, and concrete goals to push yourself further.


2. Explore Your Stage Opportunities

There’s a world of stages waiting for you:

  • Showcases: Our own FTF Showcases (Next one Nov 16, 2025), studio events, and community productions.

  • Competitions: PSO Northeast & After Dark (Nov 22–23, 2025), Exotic Generation, Dance Filthy, IPSF, Pole Theatre, and more (and more!).

  • Virtual options: PSO online, US Aerial Federation, Pole Circus, etc.

👉 Registration for PSO Northeast & After Dark 2025 closes September 22, 2025. The Fly Together Fall/Winter 2025 Showcase is first come first served, with the last day to sign up on September 25, 2025 — don’t miss it!


3. Know Your Audience

  • Showcase: You’re performing for your Fly Together family, friends, and community. There are no judges, no scoring, and the atmosphere is pure support.

  • Competition: You’ll perform for judges, fellow competitors, and spectators. You’ll receive structured scoring, written feedback, and numeric results.


4. Plan Your Routine (Timeline & Elements)

Give yourself plenty of time — ideally 6–8 weeks — to bring your routine together.

  • 6–8 weeks out: Choose your concept, goals, and music.

  • 4 weeks out: Sketch your choreography and practice in sections.

  • 3 weeks out: Lock in your costume and props, making sure they’re safe and functional.

  • Final stretch: Run full routines, refine details, and get feedback.

Keep this balance in mind:

Check out some great additional resources from Polepedia, Irish Pole Dance Academy, and Joy of Dance on routine building and planning!


5. Develop Your Choreography

Follow these stages to bring your piece to life:

  1. Freestyle: Move naturally to your music and see what feels authentic.

  2. Mapping: Align your favorite moves with specific song sections and plan stage spacing.

  3. Sections: Break the routine into spin, static, and floorwork parts. Practice transitions.

  4. Refine: Run full routines, add details, and build stamina.


6. Costumes, Props, and Stage Presence

  • Choose costumes that match your story but don’t get in the way.

  • Props can be powerful but only if they support your narrative and are safe.

  • Stage presence matters: hold your tricks, make eye contact, and give the audience time to absorb your movement.


7. Tips for Success

  • Remember: the audience doesn’t know what you can’t do. They’ll be amazed by the simplest moments.

  • Conditions on stage may not be perfect — prepare for slippery poles, bright lights, or limited rehearsal time.

  • Most importantly, have fun!


✨ Whether you’re stepping onto the FTF stage for the first time or aiming for a medal at PSO, performing is about embracing creativity, setting goals, and sharing your journey.


If you’d like more information or are interested in PSO specifically, check out these slides and webinar from our Instructor & PSO Unicorn JazzyBee! They include more tips & tricks on choosing music, developing choreography, PSO levels/categories/scoring rubrics, etc.


💌 Got questions? Reach out at info@flytogetherfitness.com or IG @flytogetherfitness. You can connect with JazzyBee directly on IG @jazzybeepoles.


We can’t wait to see you shine! 🌟

 
 
 

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