Mr. Gay US MI Categories PDF Print E-mail
COMPETITION IN THE UNITED STATES PAGENTRY SYSTEM
Hopefully, you are here because you are a professional male illusionist competitor.   You should want to learn from the Judges’ constructive criticisms and suggestions for improvement; desire to fairly compete and reign in a manner becoming of a title holder; want to meet, develop new friendships and learn from other competitors; want to display the utmost sportsmanship no matter the outcome of the contest; desire to be a role model in the GLBTQ community; and, commit to uphold the rules, regulations and professional behaviors required by the United States Pageantry System.  This system supports excellence in the art of male illusion defined by perfecting outstanding stage transformation of biological females into male entertainers. 
            The upstairs of the PARK is a no smoking facility, unless on the outside balcony or the downstairs bar.  There is no drinking or eating in the dressing room. You are required to be at the PARK no later than 5:30 p.m. for registration, DO NOT BE LATE!!  Interview will begin 30 minutes after the completion of Registration.  YOU ARE REQUIRED TO BE AT THE PARK FOR COMPETITION NO LATER THAN 9:00 and roll call will be made PROMPTLY at 9:00. 
You are only allowed ONE DRESSER at any time and they must wear the PARK Back Stage Pass.  Your TALENT backup participants are ONLY allowed in the dressing room TWO NUMBERS prior to your placement.  Props must be placed on the stage and must take no longer than three (3) minutes and be removed in no more than three (3) minutes after the completion of the talent and neatly placed out of the way of other contestants or immediately put back into your vehicle.  You will be given a specific mirrored area designed for one contestant and your property must be kept within those dimensions.  KEEP YOUR PROPERTY IN ITS PLACE AND KEEP YOUR HANDS OFF OF OTHER CONTESTANTS’ PROPERTY.  Should you experience any problem back stage, please contact the Stage Manager immediately.  OVERALL POSSIBLE TOTAL 800 POINTS (Perfect Score) PER CONTESTANT: 
 
CATEGORIES
 
Female Interview
The interview process for all preliminaries of the “male to female illusion” division of the United States contests will be explained in this section.  The judges will interview for seven (7) minutes while each contestant is dressed as a female to provide insight into the female persona.  It  highlights the contestant’s personal qualities; including but not limited to, femininity, their platform for the year of reign, communication skills, level of intellect, overall personal attributes and qualities, as well as sense of humor.   The contestant will be in feminine professional attire, as the United States system wants to be able to see the transformation from female into the male counterpart.  REMEMBER:  The Judges will consider the content of your answers, eye contact, stature and overall appearance in determining your final interview score. 
During interview, you will be asked to provide a platform for your reign, should you win this evening.  This platform may include what your individual professional plan is to promote and advance participation in this contest and how you will attempt to complete those tasks in one year.  Give your agenda and deadlines you intend to use in this process.  Make sure your plan is well prepared, concise and original…but make sure you follow through.  It doesn’t matter where you live or perform, these same thoughts should be included in your plan to make this system better and appeal to future contestants.
We offer some ideas of how best to prepare for the Interview process.  Enter with a smile, shake each judge’s hand and clearly introduce yourself to each. Always wait for someone to offer you a seat and if you are unable to hear or understand the question, politely ask the Judge to repeat or rephrase it.  This is your chance to establish professional direct eye contact with each Judge while providing them with your personal answers.  Each Judge is given the opportunity to ask at least one question a piece.  You will be asked to introduce yourself, so make sure to rehearse this concise informative process several times before a mirror, with friends and family.  Get critiqued and ask for suggestions include in your speech.  REMEMBER Practice Makes Perfect.  Be sure to speak clearly and remember to maintain eye contact with all judges not just the one that asked you the question. Wear professional, ironed, clean, feminine clothing that matches from head to toe.  Make sure to consider your hair style, makeup, hands and nails down to your toes/shoes.  
The information you provide on your application will give the Judges most of the questions for the interview.  Listen to each question answering as precisely and honestly as possible providing the Judge with the exact answer.  First state your real name, provide your stage name, your chronological information, your personal education/employment experience, your professional stage experience and home bar(s).   Contact the M.I. Coordinator for an example list of questions the Judge’s may include in the interview.  This information for the interview process is true for all Preliminaries and the United States National contests.  The interview must be in female attire.  This is the time for the judges to meet the contestant on a personal level and learn of her goals and objectives. It is divided into three sub-categories: Overall Appearance (50 points/judge); Personality (50 points/judge); and, Communication and Answer Content (50 points/judge). Possible Total Interview 150 points.
American Runway Fashion
This category is just what is says…runway fashion.  The United States Pageantry System decided upon the Red, White and Blue theme to be utilized here.  You can use any single color or any combination of the three to create your version of American Runway.  The category has changed this year and Judges don’t want to see a basic suit or tuxedo, but wants the contestant to model RUNWAY FASHION.  You are encouraged to create runway attire that is original and unique; with appropriate length slacks or shorts, well-fitting jackets or shirts, while making sure clothing is neither too small nor too large. 
We offer some suggestions for the American Runway Fashion category.  Check out Internet sites and fashion magazines featuring male fashion, using these designs as the basis for your creation.  Strutting down the runway as a male model would and displaying your creation to your best efforts.  The sky is the limit.  Change your hair, wear a wig, apply additional makeup or use matching or coordinating accessories.  Make sure to choose a complimentary color and design for your body.  Use your imagination and create a design that describes you as an entertainer.  This is your chance to express yourself.  Remember to use tissues around your collar to keep your makeup from smudging your jacket and blouse.  This information for talent is true for all Preliminaries and the United States National contests. 
This category is a “clothing and modeling” category.  The outfit can be of any style suitable for the contestant and must be comprised of the colors red, white or blue or any combination of the three (red & white, white only, etc).  Any color may be used as an accent color but accent colors cannot exceed 10% of the total outfit.   We are looking for an edgy and creative fashion that could be seen on the runways of the top fashion shows.  No commentaries are required from the contestant.  This is solely a runway modeling category divided into two sub-categories - Presentation – how well you model on the stage (50 points/judge) and Creativity/Overall Impression (50 points/judge). RUNWAY FASHION (100 points/judge.) Possible Total American Runway 200 Points
 
Talent Competition
This is your opportunity to display your craft; however, there are certain things to consider when preparing for this category.  The talent can be no longer than seven (7) minutes total including no more than a three (3) minute set-up and three (3) minute take-down.  Should any part of this process exceed the allotted time given, administrative points can be deducted.  All music CDs should be in protective sleeves, with only one recorded selection on the CD clearly marked with the title, name and number of the contestant and be given to the DJ at Registration.  So be sure to have 3 CDs - one practice CD and two contest CDs prepared in case of technical recording difficulties.  The judges will score you on the overall value of entertainment; use and accuracy of backup performers; choreography; the quality of the entire live production; stage presence and lip syncing ability; and, use of any props.  The contestant will be responsible for their own backup performers’ cover charge and professional conduct both on and off the stage.  
Suggestions for talent competition will be discussed in this section.  Firstly, the United States system prides itself on requiring the utmost sportsmanship from each contestant, their backup performer(s) and stage helpers participating in their contests.  Please make sure to discuss this with each person you bring to assure their understanding.  Administrative points can be deducted for each offense observed by staff.  There are to be no pyrotechnics, other fire involved materials (including lit cigarettes and/or candles), confetti, loose glitter, or water used in props.
You have no more than three (3) minutes to set-up your props and three (3) minutes to take down your props.  Make sure to have your own helpers or prearranged for back stage staff to assist you at registration.  You are allowed no more than seven (7) minutes to impress the judges with your talent selection.  BE ORIGINAL AND KNOW YOUR WORDS remembering you will be scored accordingly.  Your dance may be great and your comedy incredible; however, if your words are off then your score will reflect.  That INCLUDES MISTAKES MADE BY EACH OF YOUR BACKUP PARTICIPANTS.  Remember you are the focus of the talent and that backup does not upstage or out dance your personal performance and that any costume changes are brief.   This information for talent is true for all Preliminaries and the United States National contests.  Remember your time limits of 7 minutes for the talent presentation and 3 minutes for set-up/take down of props.  No fire, no water, no glitter and no harmful items that may result in injury to other contestants or the audience may be used.  If you have a questionable prop – ASK!  This category is divided into four sub-categories - Costuming and Set Design (50 points/judge), Choreography and Stage Presence (dancers included) – (75 points/judge), Quality (Lip Sync, Live Vocal, Dancing Ability, etc) – (100 points/judge), and Entertainment Value as determined by the Individual Judge (usually, but not always seen in the audience response) – (75 points/judge).  POSSIBLE TOTAL 300 TALENT POINTS.
 
 
Creative Formal Wear
            The category of Creative Formal Wear will be discussed in this section.  This category allows the contestant to display their individuality and creativity in designing formal wear to impress the judges.  You are encouraged to create formal attire that is original and unique; with appropriate length slacks and well-fitting jacket which do not pull or are too large; utilizes rhinestones/stones, other wearable formal materials, beads; and, the contestant must appear comfortable in the overall look.  This is not a costume or theatrical pieces and should be constructed on a tux or formal suit, as though attending an elaborate formal event or making a red carpet appearance.  Feel free to accessorize the outfit in any fashion that compliments the overall design and it is not necessary to remove the jacket unless the design and contestant’s modeling supports.  The contestant will be scored according to the level of creativity; overall fit; stage presence and modeling; comfortability; design and content of the attire (head to toe); proper accessories or lack thereof; hair and beard style (if applicable); and, shoes.  There is no comparative modeling in this category.  This information for Creative Formal Wear is true for all Preliminaries and the United States National contests.
            Suggestions for Creative Formal Wear include making sure to choose a complimentary color and design that compliments you.  This is formal wear and you should choose a tuxedo or formal suit as a base, which should fit you appropriately in length and size.  Use your imagination and create a design that describes you.  This is your chance to express yourself.  Again, no costumes or theatrical attire are accepted.  Remember to use tissues around your collar to keep your makeup from smudging your jacket and shirt before getting on stage.
Walk onto the stage and own it….SMILE and RELAX.  Enjoy modeling and be professional on stage thinking about the overall design and how best to show it off to your Judges.  Display the front, sides and back of your fashion.  Stand proud and show off your formal wear to the Judges.  BRING A LINT ROLLER.  Make sure your dresser manicures you to have no strings, loose appliqués or stones or lint!  Fuzz balls are magnified under the spot light and you will be standing right in front of the Judges for their inspection.  Make sure socks match and that your shoes and soles are clean and shiny.  Remember, make sure you STEAM, DRY CLEAN or IRON your suit, shirt and tie!  WRINKLES GET POINTS DEDUCTED.  Make sure your jacket, slacks, shirt and tie, and shoes fit your body frame.  DO NOT WEAR SOMETHING TOO LOOSE OR BIG!  DO NOT WEAR SOMETHING TOO TIGHT OR SMALL!  This information for Creative Formal Wear is true for all Preliminaries and the United States National contests.  Judges score on three sub-categories-          Styling and Fit – focus is on clothing design and condition and whether it complements the Contestant’s body (50 points/judge), Presentation – focus is on the Contestant’s modeling technique, smile, personality, stage presence, etc (50 points/judge), and Overall Appearance – focus is on the condition of accessories (if used) and the Contestant’s confidence, personal grooming and appeal to the audience.  This is basically how the whole package is perceived by the Judge (50 points/judge).  POSSIBLE TOTAL CREATIVE FORMAL WEAR 150 POINTS.
 
 
 
LAST MINUTE CONTEST CHECKLIST
Be A Responsible Contestant
DO NOT FORGET - SCISSORS; DUCT TAP; EMERGENCY THREAD & NEEDLE; SAFETY PINS; MAKEUP, MAKEUP REMOVER, SOAP, TOWELS; SPRAY WATER BOTTLE; ACCESSORIES AND/OR JEWELRY; HOT GLUE GUNS AND GLUE STICK TOUCH UP PAINT AND TOOLS FOR PROPS; COMB, BRUSH, HAIRSPRAY, GEL;  SPRAY ADHESIVE; LINT BRUSH; CLOTHES STEAMER/IRON; BACK UP COSTUMES; SOCKS AND SHOES; BREATH MINTS; COLOGNE; YOUR TOOTHBRUSH AND TOOTHPASTE; AND,  DEODORANT.  PLEASE!!! 
****However, if someone else happens to forget something,
         be an Exceptional Competitor and let them borrow it!!!****