LOS OPEN STAGE
RULES/GUIDELINES
LOS - LIVE ON STAGE - 2015
July 1 -5
HOSTED BY TAOPA
THE ACADEMY OF PERFORMING ARTS
Contents
INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................................. 3
LOS Open Stage Events .................................................................................................................................. 3
Our Organization ........................................................................................................................................... 3
Venue............................................................................................................................................................. 3
Schedule Compliance .................................................................................................................................... 4
Evaluation ...................................................................................................................................................... 4
Contact Person .............................................................................................................................................. 4
Open Stage ‘Showcase of Talent’ ...................................................................................................................... 5
Open Stage ‘Dance Attack’ ................................................................................................................................ 6
Open Stage ‘Drum Throw Down’....................................................................................................................... 7
INTRODUCTION
In July, TAOPA is introducing LOS – Live on Stage – 2015 to the world.
LOS invites everyone, regardless of age, i.e. individuals, groups, amateurs, semi-pros and everything in
between, to be part of the excitement, showcase their talent and creativity, and most importantly …
perform, entertain and electrify audiences on the LOS Open Stage.
On the LOS Open Stage, ANYTHING goes as long as it is in good taste, but to ensure that everyone has a
great experience we have put together the following rules and guidelines.
LOS Open Stage Events
Presently three LOS Open Stage Events have been scheduled, i.e.



Open Stage ‘Showcase of Talent’
Open Stage ’Dance Attack’
Open Stage ‘Drum Throw Down’
Additional LOS Open Stage Events may be scheduled later.
Our Organization
TAOPA was established by LGF (The Danish Association for Marching Show Bands) in 2012 to create
progressive education and event platforms that connect, activate and entertain while prioritizing the
development of today’s children and youth.
Internally, TAOPA functions as LGF’s ongoing ‘Think Tank’, ensuring growth, sustainability, and relevance.
The administration of LGF’s education and event activities is a function of TAOPA as well.
Externally, TAOPA is the creative arm of connectivity to the Danish and international Performing Arts
community at large, providing a place and support for all who share a passion and commitment to the
development of youth through expressive performance rooted activities.
TAOPA’s pedagogy is rooted on the premise that participation in music, movement, and creative
performance activities strengthens intellectual and social development by increasing Life Skills and
competencies.
The LOS Open Stage is the perfect stage for TAOPA’s purpose to come to life, by placing Performing Arts
participation at the center of contemporary pedagogy.
Venue
The main venue for LOS Open Stage is the Brøndby Stadion complex, with additional venues throughout the
LOS Festival Fair Grounds and Brøndby Municipality.
Schedule Compliance
Please note that scheduled performance time must be strictly adhered to as performers may otherwise
lose their time slot and not be permitted to perform.
Evaluation
All LOS Open Stage Events will be evaluated by a jury panel to determine a Champion and a First Runner Up
within each Event category.
Contact Person
Each performing ensemble will be requested to identify a group leader who will act as the main contact in
relation to TAOPA and the LOS Open Stage Event Team.
Should you have any questions with regard to the below stated rules/guidelines, please direct your inquiries
to [email protected].
We look forward to seeing you in July!
Best regards,
TAOPA – THE ACADEMY OF PERFORMING ARTS
Open Stage ‘Showcase of Talent’
All types of acts are welcome, soloist, ensembles, singers, dancers, comedians, rappers, jugglers,
instrumentalists and anything in-between - and in any combination.
Duration
The duration of each performance should be minimum 2 minutes and maximum 4 minutes.
An additional 3 minutes will be allocated both for setup and teardown, affording each performance slot a
maximum of 10 minutes in total.
Exceeding the permitted time slot may jeopardize further advancement.
Performance
Ensemble acts have a 20-performer limit. Please note that there is a no minimum.
All acts must bring own instruments, sound equipment, audiovisual support, and any additional items
required for their performance.
Performance order is based on a random drawing of all participating performers.
All performances should be in good taste, family friendly, and not put the performers or audience at risk of
injury. The Open Stage Event Team reserves the right to decline applications deemed inappropriate.
Evaluation and awards:
Score sheets are not utilized at the ‘Showcase of Talent’ Event, but in addition to providing immediate
feedback to the performers and interacting with the audience, the 3-panel jury will rank and rate the acts
to determine who will be crowned LOS Open Stage ‘Showcase of Talent’ Champion & First Runner Up.
The evaluation process is rooted in rewarding creativity, achievement, performance qualities,
communicative abilities, showmanship, entertainment value and audience engagement, while also
considering if the program is well coordinated and demonstrates a variety of emotions and touch-points
that connect with the audience.
The stage:
The LOS ‘Showcase of Talent’ event will take place indoor, on a stage that is 10 x 18 m.
Warm-up will take place in designated areas in order not to interfere with the performing acts.
The boundaries of the designated stage shall be strictly adhered to for the safety of everyone involved.
Electronics and other equipment:
To maintain a safe environment for performers, no dangerous materials or substances will be permitted in
or around the competition area.
The use of powder or any other airborne substance that lingers in the competition area shall be prohibited.
It is permitted to use loudspeakers and electronic devices to amplify instruments or for sound effects
and/or previously recorded voice tracks. Power supply will be available. All performing groups are required
to provide any additional items needed for their performance, including a CD of any background music
required to be played during their performance. The participants’ music recording must be clearly labeled
with the act name.
Information with respect to submission of additional items, incl. a CD of prerecorded tracks, will be
forthcoming, as well as additional sound & lighting information.
Electronics or other extra equipment may not leave marks on or damage the stage.
Open Stage ‘Dance Attack’
This competition is open to all dancers and Visual Arts performers, regardless of age. The performers will go
head to head in a tournament style bracket format until the last two acts are standing for the final round.
Duration
The duration of each performance will be minimum 2 minutes and maximum 4 minutes.
An additional 2 minutes will be allocated for both setup and teardown, affording each performance slot a
maximum of 8 minutes in total.
Exceeding the permitted time slot may jeopardize further advancement.
Performance
The maximum number of performing members allowed for each group is 20. Please note that there is a no
minimum.
Performance order is based on a random drawing of all participating performing groups.
The costumes worn by performers must be decent and respectful to the public.
Evaluation and awards:
Score sheets are not utilized at the ‘Dance Attack’ Event, but in addition to providing immediate feedback
to the performers and interacting with the audience, the 2-panel jury will rank and rate the acts to
determine who will be crowned LOS Open Stage ‘Dance Attack’ Champion & First Runner Up.
The evaluation process is rooted in rewarding creativity, achievement, performance qualities,
communicative abilities, showmanship, entertainment value and audience engagement, while also
considering if the program is well coordinated and demonstrates a variety of skills and touch-points that
connect with the audience.
The stage:
Dance Attack performances will take place on a stage which is 15 m x 15 m.
Practice and warm-up will take place in designated areas.
The boundaries of the designated stage shall be strictly adhered to for the safety of everyone involved.
Use of electronics and other equipment:
Props and/or authorized visual implements may be utilized or placed in the stage area by performing
members at any time during the ‘maximum performance time’ or can be placed in the stage area by nonperforming support staff prior to the start of the performance.
To maintain a safe environment for performers, no dangerous materials or substances will be permitted in
or around the competition area. Electrical (plug-in) or compressed air apparatuses, including lights, lasers,
and flashcubes (electrical or chemical) will not be allowed. Battery operated devices using ‘common use’
batteries are permitted.
The use of powder or any other airborne substance that lingers in the competition area shall be prohibited.
All performing groups are required to provide any additional items they wish to utilize during their
performance, including a CD of any background music required to be played during their shows. The
participants’ music recording must be clearly labeled with the act name.
Information with respect to submission of additional items, incl. a CD of prerecorded tracks, will be
forthcoming, as well as additional sound & lighting information.
Electronics or other extra equipment may not leave marks on or damage the stage.
Open Stage ‘Drum Throw Down’
At this high-energy entertainment extravaganza, drum lines go head to head in an all-out duel of technical
artistry, creativity, and showmanship.
All ensembles will be competing in a tournament style format where they are put into groups or brackets,
with the winners of each match advancing to next the round, until the final two ensembles are found.
The Event is open to all marching percussion units, regardless of age.
Duration
The duration of each percussion performance may not exceed 2 minutes. Exceeding the permitted time slot
may jeopardize further advancement.
Performance
Each percussion unit will need to perform 2 different routines of their own choice, enhanced as the bands
desire in order to generate the highest level of effect.
The ensembles will perform one after another, facing each other. Performance order is based on a random
drawing of all participating drumlines.
During their show every performer in the designated performance area must play a percussion instrument
or accessory.
All costumes, uniforms, etc. must be in good taste.
Instrumentation:
Any percussion instrument a performer can carry on and move with is permissible. Typically, the percussion
instruments utilized are non-pitched marching percussion instruments (i.e. snare drums, base drums, tenor
drums, etc.), but performing ensembles are encouraged to think ‘OUT OF THE BOX’ when considering how
they can spice up their percussion ensembles instrumentation.
Evaluation and awards:
Score sheets are not utilized at the ‘Drum Throw Down’ Event, but in addition to providing immediate
feedback to the performers and interacting with the audience, the 3-panel jury will rank and rate the acts
to determine who will be crowned LOS Open Stage ‘Drum Throw Down’ Champion & First Runner Up.
The evaluation process is rooted in rewarding creativity, technical achievement, performance qualities,
communicative abilities, showmanship, entertainment value and audience engagement, while considering
if the audio/visual program is well coordinated and demonstrates a variety of skills and touch-points that
connect with the audience.
In addition to the above, the creative use of all percussion implements (mallets/sticks, etc.) and the ability
to WOW the audience are important components in the evaluation.
The stage:
‘Drum Throw Down’ performances will take place on a stage which is 15 m x 15 m.
Warm-up will take place in designated areas in order not to interfere with the performing ensembles.
The boundaries of the designated stage shall be strictly adhered to for the safety of everyone involved.
Use of electronics:
No loudspeakers or amplification of instruments, sound effects or prerecorded tracks are permitted.