Miss Gay Mid-East America Categories

Male Interview - 150 Points Possible Per Judge
General Appearance 0-20 Points
Personality 0-30 Points
Ability to Communicate 0-50 Points
Answer Content 0-50 Points

The purpose of Male Interview is to place the contestant in a situation answering different types of questions and judging how he will react to their diversity. The context of the answer is important but more important is how the contestant conveys that answer. Eye contact with all the judges is very important, not just the judge who has asked the question. Answer the judges’ questions and do not get involved in getting the opinion of the judge. You are being judged on the presentation of your thoughts. The contestant should look comfortable in properly fitted attire, but not to the point of sloppiness. Points will be deducted for ill-fitting jackets, pants too long or short, socks that do not match the colors in the outfit, scuffed shoes, too much jewelry, wrinkled, torn, or soiled clothing, buttons missing, and/or anything that distracts from the outfit to make it unsightly. The contestant is judged on the look he has chosen for himself. Usually, trendy outfits do not appeal to the judges, just as they would not appeal to the average interviewer. The key word is average but sharp in appearance.
The contestant will be trying to impress and appeal to different types of judges. The flamboyant look will not appeal to every type of judge. The interview category should last no longer than eight (8) minutes.

Solo Talent- 100 Points Possible Per Judge
Choreography and Appearance (physical Coordination, Stage Presence, Costuming) 0-30 points;
Quality (Lip-Sync, Live Vocal, and/or Other Entertainment)
0-30 points;
Entertainment Value 0-40 points

Solo talent showcases your ability to perform without the aid of visual enhancements such as props or dancers. Contestants will be judged under the same guidelines as the full-length talent (please see TALENT description) presentation as it relates to the subcategories listed above. Solo Talents will not exceed three (3) minutes in length. Any Solo talent exceeding the three-minute limit will be scored with a zero (0). No dancers or any other person will be permitted in your presentation. No props such as backdrops, furniture, or freestanding items such as microphone stands will be allowed. Small handheld accessories such as microphones, scarves, musical instruments, puppets, batons, etc. are permitted. Once a handheld accessory is discarded, it cannot be used again by the contestant during the solo talent presentation, otherwise it should be used throughout the entire solo talent presentation. Costuming may be utilized in the presentation to enhance the visual effect. Costumes should relate to the presentation or theme of the solo talent and be in good condition. Items such as headdresses, rip-away costumes, etc. may be used but must be removed by the contestant at the end of the Solo Talent if removed during the talent. Solo Talent presentations must be a different musical selection from the full length Talent presentation and may not be an abbreviated version of the full length Talent. You may do the same type of presentation for both talents (i.e. dance, illusion, live vocal) provided the music is not the same song. Music must be on a high quality CD-R and must be the only item burned onto the CD and should be labeled “Solo Talent Contestant #___, Name of Contestant and Name of Talent Presentation: ________”. Contestants will be judged on their quality of lip-sync, live vocal, or other entertainment. Judges will be looking to see if the contestant knows the words to their song and finishes each word. Just knowing the words is not enough. The contestant should also look as if he/she is actually singing the song. Is it believable? If it is a live performance, is the talent good quality? If there is choreography, you should know the steps and the steps should flow. Do not attempt to do something that is beyond your talent. Costuming should reflect the mood you are trying to establish. Always examine your presentation for entertainment value and appropriateness. Does it please, cause laughter, sadness or stir some other emotion, and is it of a quality that Miss Gay America would perform at an appearance or preliminary? Pyrotechnics are not allowed. NO FIRE (including, but not limited to a lit cigarette) or LIQUIDS (including, but not limited to water) or LIVE ANIMALS whatsoever…(contestants will receive a zero (0) for violation of this regulation)

Evening Gown - 150 Points Possible per Judge
Suitability of Evening Gown 0-30 Points
> Suitability of Hairstyle 0-20 Points
Presentation (Modeling Techniques, Poise, Smile, etc.)
0 -40 Points
> General Appearance (Make-Up, Shoes, Gown Condition, Accessories) 0-60 Points

Evening Gown will be the most elegant apparel of the pageant. It should complement the contestant’s figure. It will be a statement of the contestant’s style and taste. The dress and accessories should be in perfect condition. It is the contestant’s responsibility to take care of the gown and keep the gown in perfect condition for the duration of the pageant. The hem of the gown should be even unless the style of the gown is an uneven bottom. The gown should be lined or have a slip underneath. The judges should not be able to see through any part of the gown unless that is the style of the gown. In general, the gown length should be a full length gown, (either to the top of the toe part of the shoe or approximately 1/2 inch above the floor, unless the style of the gown warrants different measurement i.e. ballroom style gown or tulip-contoured styled gown). There should be no break in the hem of the gown (it should hang straight.) The sleeve should be no shorter than the wrist and no longer than an inch below the wrist unless the design of the gown sleeve is longer. A v-neck is acceptable but, if it is cut too low, it may look less feminine. Jewelry should accessorize and not be over-powering. Shoes should match and complement the gown. Shoes should not be scuffed, worn at the toe or heels, and not seen to bend under the weight of the contestant. Modeling should be a slow easy pace, touching the three points that form a triangle. At each point the contestant will make a slow turn, facing the back of the stage, pause, and turn to the front of the stage. Modeling can be “free-style” (no boundaries i.e. no hand gesture limitations in your modeling presentation) however you should keep in mind the “mood of elegance” that you are attempting to maintain during your presentation. You should also keep in mind that an “overstated presentation” of evening gown may not appeal to every judge. Practice turning and walking in the shoes you will be wearing during this presentation. Each contestant will model their evening gown for a minimum of two and one-half minutes. If a judge wants a closer look, he/she can motion the contestant to the judge’s table. Hair should be appropriate for eveningwear and compliment both the contestant and the style of the gown. Hair can be in any style, including either an “up-style” or “down-style” provided it is complimentary to the overall look of the contestant. If a contestant is selected as a Top 10 finalist, he has the OPTION to alter/change his “final night” evening gown competition package from that which was presented during preliminary night evening gown competition.

On Stage Interview - 50 Points Possible Per Judge
Ability to communicate 0-25 Points
Answer content 0-25 Points

Scoring should be based on personality and poise, the ability to communicate on a microphone in front of an audience, and the context of the answer in relation to the topic given.

Talent - 300 Points Possible Per Judge
Showmanship and Set Design 0-60 points;
Choreograph (physical Coordination and Stage Presence (Including Dancers) 0-80 points;
Quality (Lip-Sync, Live Vocal, and/or Other Entertainment)
0-80 points;
Value (of Presentation as Entertainment) 0-80 points

Talent is the highest point category in the pageant. Contestants will be judged on their quality of lip-sync, live vocal, or other entertainment. Judges will be looking to see if the contestant knows the words to their song and finishes each word. Just knowing the words is not enough. The contestant should also look as if he/she is actually singing the song. Is it believable? If it is a live performance, is the talent of good quality? If there is choreography, the dancers should know the steps and the steps should flow. Do not attempt to do something that is beyond your talent. If you use dancers or actors in your presentation, do not let them upstage or out dance you. You are responsible for their performance. If a member of your troop does not know his/her part, points will be deducted from your score. Quality of set design and construction will be judged. Quantity of set is not judged. Do not put something on the stage you are not going to use or does not have relation to your talent. Contestants are responsible for their sets. If it falls apart or collapses on stage, points will be deducted from your score. Costuming and set design should reflect the mood you are trying to establish. Always examine your presentation for entertainment value. Does it please, cause laughter, sadness or stir some other emotion? Talent presentations will be limited to seven (7) minutes .No score will be given in the talent category for any presentation over seven (7) minutes in length. All talent presentations must be on a high quality CD-R, labeled “Talent- Contestant #___, Name of Contestant and Name of Talent presentation:___________”. Prop set-up time will be limited to three (3) minutes. Prop set-up time is not included in the seven (7) minute limit contestants are allowed for talent competition. Ten (10) points will be deducted from the administrative score if prop set-up is over three (3) minutes. Pyrotechnics are not allowed. NO FIRE (including but not limited to a lit cigarette) or LIQUIDS (including but not limited to water) or LIVE ANIMALS whatsoever (contestants will receive a zero (0) for violation of this regulation). If a contestant is selected as a Top 10 finalist, he has the OPTION to alter his “final night” talent competition package from that which was presented during preliminary night talent competition. Although the Top 10 contestant has option to alter his “final night” talent presentation, he MUST use the same music arrangement that was used for preliminary night competition. Alterations to the talent presentation shall be limited to props, dancers, costume and choreography.