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Step 1
Set stringent guidelines. Contestants can get very creative with the talent portion of a competition, so set rules that will ensure a quality show for the audience as well as a competition that will not compromise the integrity of the pageant in general. Limit the time for each act to 3 minutes or less. Longer acts are boring to the judges as well as the audience. Screen the music and practice sessions to eliminate anything inappropriate. Discourage ridiculous or useless talents.
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Step 2
Prepare the space. Talent competitions require flexible staging to adequately meet the needs of the various contestants. Lighting should be variable to assist the contestants in setting the mood for their act. The floor should be suitable for ballet dancers and tap dancers alike, while not being too slippery for vocalists and musicians. The size of the staging area should be published in advance so the contestants can rehearse their acts accordingly.
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Step 3
Acquire knowledgeable judges. Make sure your judges are experienced in various types of talent. It is a good idea to balance your panel between singers, dancers and musicians to avoid favoritism. Your contestants will be more at ease if they feel their talent is represented by at least one of the judges.
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Step 4
Utilize microphones. Many acts, including some dancers, can be enhanced greatly by the appropriate use of mics. Vocalists need to choose between hand-held and stand microphones, and musicians need to be able to have their instrument amplified appropriately. Tap dancers need floor microphones to pick up the sound of their taps over the accompaniment music.
