You’ll Remember the Great Time…
Not far from the interstate highway, the ample building is easily identified by its Showbiz sign with its popping fount indicating that the work originates here! The reception area inside has gracious, warm earth tones.
As David Westerfield enters, his stride and smile indicate hospitality, vitality and vigor. "He's back!" as he graciously leads the way into his office with its power desk, generous seating area and oriental rug. It feels like a peaceful oasis in the middle of traffic jam.
"I love the interaction among people," David says with a big smile. The competition business gives new meaning
to 24/7. Creative solutions, ideas, planning, preparation and presentation run the agenda.
The Showbiz Empire includes Showbiz Competition with its National Finals in Daytona Beach, Florida, Chicago, Illinois and Las Vegas, Nevada; PrimeTime that has a "national finals feeling" in each regional setting and EverythingDance.com provides studio owners with web pages to supply class needs.
Showbiz, originating in 1989, developed with faithful clients. In some of those early years David put 80,000 miles annually on his car and prepared lunch himself for the judges. His loyal clientele helped him sponsor competitions all over the map. Now people seem more willing to travel, so Showbiz goes to fewer cites and runs multiple rooms. For example, Wisconsin schools and Chicago studios will come to Minnesota for a quality competition.
PrimeTime began its group competitions in 2001. Reaction from the dance community was an explosion of enthusiasm. Capezio (www.capeziodance.com) is PrimeTime's official sponsor. This partnership is especially meaningful to David because of his long term friendship with Paul Terlizzi.
David emphasizes that he is not a trained dancer. He probably is the only non-dance person in the industry today. David came to the dance competition world from Miss Universe Pageant with its production values and constant
evaluations.
Dance competitions keep kids busy. They validate hard work and David is particularly fond of providing this recognition. Showbiz Talent became so successful that dance directors were mailing entry forms in September to perform the following May. Entry acceptance is structured on a "first come, first served." Unfortunately, there are only so many 3-minutes in a day!
Minneapolis is a stunning example of problem solving. In a five-day competition Showbiz would see 15,000 dancers. Six hundred solo dances would be showcased. In 2007 PrimeTime will host its Minneapolis competition March 23-25 while Showbiz will be in the city April 25-29. Showbiz will showcase the dancers Tuesday--Thursday from approximately 3:00 P.M. - 10:00 P.M.. Friday's time will go later in the evening while Saturday and Sunday begin early and stay late!
Types of entries are Solo, Duet/Trio, Small Group (4-9 performers), Large Group (10-18 performers and Line (19+ performers). Petite ages are four years and under plus five to eight years. Junior ages are 9-12 years, Teen ages are 13-14 years and Senior ages are 15 years and older.
David wistfully observes and wishes that competitions were done for the love of dance and the excitement of sharing talent with an audience. His dreams are that recognition will be built solely on being honored and recognized.
Dance directors often use the cash awards for the continuing competition fund or costume fund. David thinks highly of people who use the awards for continuing education.
A high school teacher gives more than one A in a class; many dancers, who exhibit exceptional skill and presentation, should be recognized with an A, First Place or Top Performer. There is no need to restrict these young people to only first, second and third place.
Judges are fair and subjective. Dance is not a sport where shooting a basket equals two or three points or crossing the goal line means six points. Qualified judges are receivers and interpreter. They analyze what they see and hear and mark accordingly. An independent entry has the same opportunity as the studio who brings 125 competitors.
Showbiz opens its 2007 season the second weekend of January while PrimeTime begins the second weekend of February. Both competitions continue through the third weekend in May, with the Showbiz Finals in June and July.
Showbiz participants have graduated to musical theater on Broadway and on tour. "I hardly ever go on a cruise when I don't see a student that has competed in Showbiz," David says. He finds it gratifying to follow these young careers as he attends the theater and in
his travels.
"We have seen 200,000 students in a year," David continues. Preparation for competition is exacting. Preparation requires hours and hours of rehearsal.
"Competition teaches performance skills. More important, competition teaches life skills." David is supportive of the relationship building between dance directors with students and their parents. He supports the opportunity those studio owners have for additional revenue with private lessons, coaching sessions and studio rental for rehearsals. Dance teachers work constantly and often for inadequate compensation.
David has been away from the office for more than two years. His bout with prostate cancer has given him time to reflect and renew. He is thoughtful about how he has evolved as a person, as a leader over the years.
"My illness was a huge wake-up call!" He admires people who deal with major issues and face each day as a new opportunity. His sense of joy has been reinforced by friends who have continued to encourage him to live to his potential and keep raising his norm. David is a
Thinker, Goer, Doer, Believer.
David could have been typed as a "teen idol" when he began. And he could now be classified as the uncle--indeed the favorite uncle--in many extended families.
Born in Waco, Texas, David's mother still lives there. His father died when he was six years old and there is no way to calculate that loss. His only brother resides in Round Rock, Texas near Austin. David's brother is a Baptist minister who married his 7th grade sweetheart and they have three children.
One of David's major concerns is the family. He emphasizes that "the child is a product of the home." His radar has the unique advantage of seeing the most current trends in family life and child development.
David performed, studied music in school and still loves to sing.
He is amused and reconciled to the antics of some directors to push the limits of age-appropriate choreography and costuming. David's encouragement of youth, his inner sense of standards and practices has been challenged. At times, he feels, his stance on standards has been ridiculed. However, he is comfortable with his assessments, his sense of morality and the ethics of the company and competitions he directs.
Parents have the most influence on their children. Teachers - including dance teachers and choreographers - also impact the lives of children. David's goal is to assist the good choices the world of competition.
David loves new ideas and clever people. His office staff stays in the fast lane all year long. He is CEO of Double Door Productions, which breathes life into the different entities establishing the organizations under one umbrella. "Doubling my pleasure and doubling my fun!"
He credits his energetic and dedicated staff for their professional, friendly and kind work standards:
Darin Troglia - President, Showbiz
Randy Kalis - VP, Showbiz
Leo Desiderio - Production Manager, Showbiz
Thomas Weigl - Director International Relations/Merchandise
Cheryl Liles - Internet Studio Shopper
Carlos Vigil, Executive Director, PrimeTime
Lori Sanders, Entry Coordinator
Sharon Faith, Event & Facilities Director
Scott Thyself, Merchandise Manager
Robert Sanchez, Video Department
Helen Kay Lundstedt, Accountant
One of his dreams is a National Association for Dance Competitions to join forces. Combined efforts could result in advancing Production Expertise, methods of Timing Control, elevating standards and practices. David's greatest fear is that, "Dance Competitions are going in the direction of Children's Beauty Pageants." There are simply too many without control.
"I surround myself with youth!" he exclaims with a joyful smile. David emphasizes his dedication to kids. His primary goal is to be the vehicle to provide outlets, activities and performing opportunities for children and youth.
"Americans are competitive! From the cradle on! Whether it be athletics, cheerleading, drill team or any other favorite, competition gives us all an opportunity to succeed equally."
David observes that Australia is a new market.
But David spends a lot of time in Europe and says, "European dance training is fine, but I think that American parents should be grateful for the opportunities that are given to children in our country regarding outside activities. The European community simply does not have the equalivant offerings."
David is forward looking, living every day and analyzing new ideas or new solutions. PrimeTime has its slogan; sounds like a motto for David Westerfield:
"You'll remember the great time... long after you have forgotten the score!"
www.showbiztalent.com
www.primetimedance.net
www.EverythingDance.com