Mr. Gay Wisconsin USofA
Promoters Handbook
2017
Revised 12/5/2016
Table of Contents
Letter from the State Promoter 4
Current Prelims to Mr. Gay Wisconsin USofA 5
Mr. Gay Wisconsin USofA Staff 5
Mr. Gay Wisconsin USofA 2017 6
Former State Titleholders: 7
Mr. Gay USofA 2017 8
Former National Titleholders: 9
Promoters Handbook – USofA Pageants 10
State Titleholder 10
Selecting Your Panel of Judges 10
Letter of Invitation and Follow Through 11
Advance Orientation Meeting With Your Judges 12
Preparation for Personal Interview 14
Method of Conducting Personal Interview 14
Presentation of Contestants 15
Actual Balloting of Talent Competition 15
Actual Balloting of Clubwear Competition 15
In the Case of a Tie 16
A Post Competition Meeting 16
After the Competition is Over 17
Advertising Your Contest 17
Contest Day 17
Registration – 17
Conducting Personal Interview – 18
The Competition Begins – 18
The Competition – 18
Sashing the Winner – 18
After the Competition – 18
Dressing Rooms 19
Using Official USofA Pageants Ballots 19
How to use the Official Score Sheets 19
Category Descriptions 20
Prizes 22
Prize Money 22
Medallions 22
Crown 22
Sashes 23
Other prizes 23
Official Application 24
Sample Contract 25
OBLIGATIONS TOTITLEHOLDER/RUNNER UP OF Mr. Gay Wisconsin USofA 26
Rules and Regulations for Promoters: 28
WEBSITE: 30
Letter from the State Promoter
Dear Promoter,
Thank you for committing to Mr. Gay Wisconsin USofA by holding a local area prelim. Your commitment to the entertainment industry of Wisconsin is much appreciated. It is an honor to have you aboard our team.
By holding a local preliminary to the state contest, you are committing to select a representative and first alternate in hopes of them going on to win the state title, and ultimately the national title. This is a high honor for the titleholder and holds great pride for our state. In the past years, our representatives for nationals have placed extremely well, and Wisconsin is well known throughout the nation as contenders for the title.
This handbook has all the information you may need to hold a successful local prelim. If after looking over the handbook, you have further questions, please feel free to contact me.
Once again, I appreciate you for your efforts and can’t wait to see you at the State Competition!
Taylor Vaughn
State Promoter, Mr. Gay Wisconsin USofA
608-780-4244
Current Prelims to Mr. Gay Wisconsin USofA
Contest City/State Venue Promoter
Mr. Gay Mississippi Valley La Crosse, WI Player’s Tammy WhyNott-Breeze & Nicoli Clyne
Mr. Gay Capital City Madison, WI FIVE Nightclub Iyvanka & Montell
Mr. Gay Fox Valley Neenah, WI Remixx Will Clarke
Mr. Gay Southeastern Kenosha, WI Club ICON Deja Voo
Mr. Gay Chippewa Valley Eau Claire, WI Scooter’s Khloe Wold
Mr. Gay Cosmopolitan TBD LaCage TBD
Mr. Gay Emerald City Green Bay, WI Shelter Club Suga Brown
Mr. Gay Lakeshore Sheboygan, WI Blue Lite Hans Graf & Jarica Jordan
Mr. Gay Wisconsin USofA Staff
Owner/State Promoter Taylor Vaughn 608-780-4244
Contestant Liaison Milano Breeze 414-477-9063
National Promoter Craig Henderson 713-213-7350
Mr. Gay Wisconsin USofA 2016 Talon (Nick Jansen) 920-205-4734
Mr. Gay USofA 2016 Desi M. Andrews
Mr. Gay Wisconsin USofA 2017
July 22, 2017FIVE Nightclub
5 Applegate Court
Madison, WI 53713
Mr. Gay Wisconsin USofA 2016
Talon
State Promoter:
Taylor Vaughn
608-780-4244
Former State Titleholders:
Mr. Gay Wisconsin USofA 2015Milano Breeze
Mr. Gay Wisconsin USofA 2014
Taylor Ashton
Mr. Gay Wisconsin USofA 2013
Montell Infiniti-Ross
Mr. Gay Wisconsin USofA 2012
Easton Boyd
Mr. Gay Wisconsin USofA 2011
Jay R. Heat
Mr. Gay Wisconsin USofA 2010
Eddie Candelaria
Mr. Gay Wisconsin USofA 2009
Chris Stone
Mr. Gay Wisconsin USofA 2008
Topher Chase
Mr. Gay USofA 2017
October 18-20, 2017Rich’s Houston
Houston, Texas
Mr. Gay USofA 2016
Desi M. Andrews
Former National Titleholders:
Mr. Gay USofA 2015Michael LaMasters
Mr. Gay USofA 2014
Jeffrey Kelley
Mr. Gay USofA 2013
Christopher Iman
Mr. Gay USofA 2012
Rasean Montrese
Mr. Gay USofA 2011
GQ
Mr. Gay USofA 2010
David “Freklz” Hunter
Mr. Gay USofA 2009
Simba Hall
Mr. Gay USofA 2008
Ram Crawford
Promoters Handbook – USofA Pageants
The successful conclusion of any Competition is measured to a great extent by the contestant who is selected as your winner. That person is the one who will carry your competition’s title to the next step of competition and perhaps to the National Title. Therefore, your selection of judges is extremely important. This manual is prepared as a guide to help you carry out your assignment as a promoter with maximum success and to aid you in the very important task of selecting your judges, providing them with the proper materials and assisting them through the difficult process of judging. It is strongly recommended that each State and Regional promoter scrupulously follow these methods.
State Titleholder
Promoters are required to have the current reigning state titleholder in attendance. The state titleholder will generally will have 3 numbers prepared. The state titleholder can also host your interview, and will be present at all meeting (contestant/judges, etc.). The booking fee for Mr. Gay Wisconsin is $75.00 and should be provided to the titleholder at the close of the pageant. In addition, if the titleholder is traveling more than 50 miles (one way) to your contest, it is required that you provide lodging for the titleholder for that night. When booking your contest, please contact the current titleholder to secure the date a minimum of 30 days in advance.
Selecting Your Panel of Judges
If you held a competition last year you should first consider the individual members of that panel. You may decide to invite one or two of those judges who showed excellent qualities and aptitude as well as an interest and understanding of the USofA Pageant system.
We offer the following guidelines in considering names submitted to you:
1. Your judges should be from out of town to eliminate any possibility of criticism from contestants, sponsors or friends of the contestants.
2. A panel of five (5) judges is strongly recommended.
3. Judges should be knowledgeable in the diverse field of the art of male entertainment as well as the fine arts to properly cover the talent competition. However, be sure they are capable, objective and not just prominent.
4. Never invite a friend or relative of a contestant. Of course never invite anyone to whom you owe a favor. Both could subject you to criticism from sponsors and contestants no matter how fine a judge they make.
5. Judges should not have judged a local or city competition in your State this year if they are to service on a State or Regional panel of judges.
6. Never invite a reigning National Titleholder from another National Pageant System to serve as a judge. We have found that each National Pageant System is operated differently and the titleholder or former titleholders want to impose their system and ideas into the USofA system.
7. In an effort to keep judging consistent, fair and unbiased, your judges should be clear headed. There should be no consumption of alcoholic beverages by judges until after the last contestant has competed in the last category, and the judging sheets have been turned in. This rule is for the benefit of both the contestants, as well as you as a promoter. There should be no question as to the condition of the judges and their ability to fairly judge a contest.
8. Prelim promoters for Mr. Gay Wisconsin USofA are not allowed to judge their own pageant, nor are they allowed to judge a prelim in the system.
9. Judges may not be paid for their services.
Letter of Invitation and Follow Through
After you have determined those whom you would like to have on your panel of judges compose a letter of invitation which will immediately identify your competition with USofA Pageants and give dates that their service will be required. They need to know you are seeking a representative of your State or Region who can go on to and capture the National Title. Also let them know that you are extending your invitation because of their fine qualifications which would enable them to select your State or Regional titleholder.
In your initial letter of invitation be sure to state clearly what expenses your budget will allow and whether you will be able to provide travel, hotel, etc. Upon their receipt of their conformation you should then request their biography which the MC will use to introduce them as a judge.
Two weeks prior to your competition write the judges again and include:
· A schedule of activities involving them
· A list of judges who will compose the panel with just a bit of background information about them
· A copy of the Official USofA Pageants Preliminary Pageant Judges Guide with the request that it be read prior to their arrival
· The name of the hotel where they will be staying (if provided) and any transportation arrangements you have made for them
· List any social events you have planned for the judges. This is important for the judges so they will know how to plan their wardrobe especially if you have a formal affair included in their activities.
· Request information concerning their travel plans (if they are traveling on their own) so a member of your competition staff may meet them upon their arrival. Judges Workbook Preparing a good workbook for your panel of judges is important as they are going to find that one contestant who is just right for your top position. Place the following information in each judge’s workbook:
· The opening page should be typed for each book. This page should include the judge’s name, title of your competition and the promoter’s name.
· A judge’s schedule of activities is important for a more than one-day competition so your judges know where they need to be and when they need to be there.
· A contestant list with their names and number in order of appearance. This is important because the score sheets require each judge to list the contestant’s placement by number and not names when scoring.
· Promoters should have their entry forms duplicated and place a copy with each judge’s workbook. This enables each judge to study the information for questions which might be asked during the Personal Interview.
· Pads of paper and pens which will be needed by each judge. Seating Arrangements for Judges in working out the proper arrangements for your judges to have the best possible view of the contestants on stage as well as the maximum privacy from your audience please use the following guideline:
· A table located so the judges are seated together as close to the stage as possible where they can see each contestant as they perform in all phases of competition. We stress the table arrangement as it is unfair to expect the judges to do a good job while trying to balance their workbook on their lap, take noted and observe each contestant on stage at the same time.
· Proper lighting for EACH judge is a must if they are to read and refer to their notes for each contestant as that contestant performs and as they cast their ballots. Lamps with reflector hoods are recommended. The number one complaint from judges is inadequate lighting.
· Have one of your competition staff check arrangements prior to start time to see that all is in order including extra pens, note pads, water or snacks. It is suggested that your panel of judges do not drink alcoholic beverages while sitting at the judges table. As a promoter there is no easy way to explain the scandal of having one of your judges intoxicated. The results of your competition may be placed in jeopardy, not to mention your reputation as a promoter.
· Be sure that there is sufficient space between your judges and the first row of your audience.
Advance Orientation Meeting with Your Judges
It is important that you meet with your panel of judges prior to their personal interview. Welcome them as a group and determine that each judge has read the judges guide you mailed to them previously to their arrival. Be sure you have prepared your talk well and know your subject thoroughly for this meeting.
Elaborate on the system of judging and the importance of adhering to the request that each contestant be judges ONLY in the category in which they are competing. Emphasize the effect judging has upon the contestant and stress the importance of the point system.
Each judge should just as carefully and judiciously give points to contestant number 5, 4, 3 and 2 as they have to number 1 in each category. This is the only way this system of judging can produce the most qualified and eligible winner and finalists.
Judges should be reminded that they are not permitted to attend rehearsals at any time.
Impress upon your judges the importance of making personal notes as they evaluate each contestant. These notes are important to the contestants. They should be constructive criticism to help them improve in their quest to be Mr. Gay USofA. It is important to stress that every comment be made in a positive way.