Contestant Manual
March 1, 2015
Welcome To Columbus!
This manual has been prepared with the hope that it will make
pageant week a less stressful, more enjoyable experience for you. So
often it is not knowing what to expect that causes apprehension and
apprehension causes stress. Read this manual carefully. Some of it
will be discussed with you during Forum Weekend and you will have
the opportunity to ask questions and get clarification then and also
during Orientation. At any time you can call the Miss Georgia
Pageant Office (706) 322-2315) or your Field Director for more
information.
Pageant week is what you make it. If you arrive rested, organized,
and prepared to compete only with yourself, you will leave with happy
memories and many new friends. The members of the Miss Georgia
Organization look forward to welcoming you to Columbus – you are
the reason we do this.
You are embarking on a wonderful opportunity. We welcome all of
you with open arms and wish you the very best of luck.
RULES! RULES! RULES!
What you do – Where you go – And how you conduct yourself while in Columbus
for Pageant Week are all governed to a large degree by rules and regulations.
These rules are in effect from the time you arrive in Columbus until you depart.
Actually, these rules provide the standard and practice that will help all of us to
control and cope with the many pressures and problems that come during the
week. They are based upon common sense and are broad enough in scope to
include most situations.
If a contestant’s conduct is deemed unsatisfactory by the Hostess Committee and
by this conduct the image and good name of the Miss Georgia Pageant are
deemed to be in jeopardy, the Hostess Chairman will issue the contestant a
warning. If the situation is corrected, no other action will be taken. If not
corrected, the President and the Chairman of the Board will be notified.
We ask your cooperation in abiding by these rules and trust that you recognize,
with us, that without them it would be impossible to maintain the respect and
reputation of the Miss Georgia Pageant.
Housing for Miss Contestants
You will be staying at the Broadway Crossing Apartments located at #25 West
Tenth Street. The apartments are part of the student housing provided by
Columbus State University. Each unit has two bedrooms with twin beds, two
bathrooms, a kitchen, a dining area, and a living room. Apartments also have a
refrigerator, microwave, and dishwasher. They are fully furnished. There will be
four contestants assigned to each apartment.
Flowers and Mail
For relatives and friends staying in Columbus, please advise them to deliver
flowers and mail to Hostess Headquarters. Hostess Headquarters is located in
the Lobby of the Broadway Crossing Apartments. No contestant will be allowed
to receive any type of correspondence except in this manner. Nothing should be
sent to you at the theater or given to you during visitation.
Please encourage your family, friends and franchise members to send you mail
rather than flowers, balloons and food. Space is limited; flowers die, balloons
deflate, food spoils and there is the problem of clearing out the apartment when
the week is over.
Please note that the address for Mail and the address for Flower delivery are
different:
Mailing Address:
Name
Title
Rankin Events Office
1004 Broadway
Columbus, GA 31901
Delivery Address for Gifts:
Name
Title
#25 West Tenth Street
Columbus, GA 31901
Items You Need To Bring for Miss Contestants
Please plan to bring the following with you:
• Sheets, pillow, pillowcase and blankets
Garbage bags
• Alarm clock or clock radio
• Towels and washcloths
• Laundry basket
• Toiletries
• Special foods or snacks (optional)
• Medications
for
a
twin
bed
Optional Items for Miss Contestants
Some items you may wish to talk with your apartment mates about bringing to
avoid duplication if you want them:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Coffee maker
Dishes, pots, pans, and silverware (if you plan to cook)
Paper towels or napkins
Plastic cups
Television
Iron and ironing board
Full-length mirror
Extra Power strip outlet
Camera
iPod
Computer/iPad
The two meals you will be responsible for are breakfast and dinner.
Lunch will be provided. There is a refrigerator, microwave and
dishwasher in each apartment.
Hostesses
Each contestant will be assigned a hostess for Pageant Week. She will do
everything possible to help you have a successful and pleasant week. Her job is to
make sure you are where you are supposed to be, when you are supposed to be
there, wearing what you are supposed to be wearing and doing what you are
supposed to do. She will be your most ardent supporter. She will listen when you
need to talk, help you find solutions when problems arise, and cheer for you from
the sidelines.
Schedule
You will be e-mailed a working schedule. Please print it out and bring it with you
when you report during pageant week. It will list rehearsal times and all official
Pageant events. we ask you alway be on time for each event. Remember, you
are required to be on time and on stage when you are participating in
either competition or production numbers. We suggest you check this
constantly so that you will always be at the right place at the right time. Be
aware, however, that like all schedules it is open to revision. When in doubt,
check with your hostess.
Transportation for Miss Contestants
Transportation will be provided for Miss Georgia contestants. You will not be
allowed to use your own vehicle.
Security
Trained security is on duty at all times at the apartments and theater. They are
there for your protection. Listen to their instructions.
Telephone
Contestants will be permitted to bring a cell phone. However, contestants may
only use their cell phone when they are in their apartment. Cell phones are not
permitted any where other than the contestant’s apartment. We will
adhere to the Miss America rule and collect cell phones before we
leave the apartment and return them when we return to the
apartment . If a contestant is caught with her cell phone or trying to use her
cell phone outside her apartment, it will be taken away and not given back until
the competition is over. Again, cell phones are not permitted outside the
apartment.
PHONES ARE NOT ALLOWED INSIDE THE RIVER CENTER!
Computers
Computers are allowed to be brought and used in the contestant housing
facilities. Internet service is available in contestant rooms. Computers are
not allowed in theater.
Judges
Contestants are not permitted to speak to a judge at any time, nor appear in the
presence of a judge or group of judges, except at regular scheduled events.
Backstage Areas
No one will be allowed in dressing rooms or the area leading to the dressing
rooms except contestants, hostesses, and production staff.
Badges
Name badges are worn at all official or public events (even rehearsals, meals, etc.)
throughout Pageant Week. It is worn around the neck.
Publicity and the Press
Public popularity is not a factor considered by the judges in the selection of Miss
Georgia. Some contestants receive a large amount of publicity while others
receive very little. This results from different degrees of interest by the news
media in the hometowns that request interviews and pictures. Be sure that your
local news media is aware that you are in Columbus and that the Pageant is
taking place.
Accredited media persons can be scheduled for interviews and photographs
provided they present their credentials to the Media Chairman and agree to the
following conditions:
•
All pictures and interviews are at the convenience of the contestants
and hostesses.
•
They may not interfere with rehearsals or other events.
•
A hostess must be present during any media appearance by a
contestant.
•
Hostesses will terminate any
embarrassment to a contestant.
•
Only pictures in good taste are allowed.
•
Pictures of contestants in swimsuits are allowed only when
regularly scheduled as a Pageant event.
interview
that
may
cause
•
No pictures or interviews are permitted backstage once the Pageant
is underway.
Contestants may express their ideas and personal opinions on any subject when
interviewed by the press. Questions are often asked to determine how young
women feel and how they think about current problems and issues existing in our
country. Other questions may center on the contestant and her activities and
accomplishments. We rely on the contestant’s good judgment to speak as a
representative of her community and state.
Contestants should always realize that they are speaking for publications that will
be read or heard by many people. Answer questions forthrightly as possible.
Avoid over-talking. Long interviews are often cut because of limited space or
time and this may result in thoughts being taken out of context.
If a contestant considers any question too personal or embarrassing, she should
give a “no comment’ type answer. Try to be tactful but you do not have to answer.
Your hostess will support your right not to answer any questions that are too
personal. You may want to arrange a signal with your hostess so she knows when
you want her to interfere on your behalf; she will do it anyway whenever she feels
questions are inappropriate.
Rehearsals
The producer schedules rehearsals. They are mandatory for all contestants. It
is not an option whether you rehearse or not. It is essential that you pay careful
attention to all instructions. To put it in simple terms as possible: “If the
producer isn’t happy, no one leaves the theater no matter how hungry or tired
you are.” When you are not on stage, you should sit in the audience and observe
QUIETLY.
Dress rehearsals are scheduled for every competition. What you wear for regular
rehearsals is your decision but you MUST wear your competition clothes for dress
rehearsals. We strongly encourage you to practice in your competition clothes
before you come to Columbus. Adjustments may be necessary that there will not
be time for during the week. It is essential you practice walking in your
competition shoes both before you come to Columbus and on stage after you
arrive. Since the theater is kept at a cool temperature, you may also want to bring
a light jacket or sweater with you. Many contestants carry a small traveling or
duffel bag back and forth to rehearsals with reading materials, iPods, sweater or
jacket, small snacks, water bottle, etc. Remember, absolutely no food is
allowed in the theater at the River Center.
ALL REHEARSALS ARE CLOSED !
Food for Miss Contestants
Various businesses and civic groups in Columbus provide all meals. A volunteer
arranges all meals. Please be gracious and thankful to the individuals and
establishments providing these meals. The only meal you are responsible for is
breakfast. If you are in the habit of eating certain snacks or foods, feel free to
bring that with you for your apartment. Additional information will be given to
you about food before you arrive. Pageant Week is not the time to diet! You will
be on stage rehearsing for long hours; even if you do not normally eat breakfast,
we strongly urge you to eat this week.
NO FOOD IS ALLOWED IN THE RIVER CENTER THEATER!
Prescriptions and Medicines
If you are taking medicine under a doctor’s orders, please bring an ample supply
with you. If you need medical assistance, advise your hostess immediately. A
doctor is on call. Bring a small amount of money and medical insurance card
with you in case you need a prescription filled and your parents are not in town.
Money
Except in an unusual circumstance you should not need money. You should
bring a small amount in case it is necessary to get a prescription filled. Hostesses
will not go shopping for you. Bring with you extras of such things as hose,
lipstick, curlers, hair dryers, etc. In an emergency, your hostess will try to contact
your parents.
Dressing Rooms
There is very limited space in the dressing rooms. You must be able to dress in
“two seconds”; the time between production numbers is short. Put these two
facts together and it becomes obvious you must be both organized and prepared!
Once clothing is taken to the River Center dressing room, it stays.
Clothing cannot be moved back and forth between the River Center
and the contestant apartment.
Label everything including garment bags, shoes, underwear, makeup, jewelry.
And all other items used such as hairspray and firm grip, etc…
Get two of everything that you will need both at the apartment and the theater so
that you do not have to carry things back and forth. BORROW the second set of
rollers, etc.
Have scissors, pins, needles, and thread to match your clothing, especially your
competition clothes.
Try to have sturdy zippers in your gowns – small buttons are a nightmare for
quick changes. Nylon zippers often break.
Bring a cover up for use backstage.
Bring a sheet to put on the floor when you are changing gowns.
Remember to pack enough make-up, eye lashes, hairspray, firm grip, tape or
whatever you use during competition for the entire week.
Don’t forget to pack some hand wipes to keep your hands free of makeup residue.
That way, your clothing and others will be free of makeup marks.
Also, if you are prone to headaches, don’t forget to pack some Advil or Tylenol or
whatever you use for headaches
After the Preliminary Competitions
If you are a preliminary winner, you will be called back on stage for pictures. Put
the costume back on that you wore. If you are a swimsuit winner, put on your
swimsuit. If you are a preliminary talent winner, put on your talent costume.
After pictures are finished, change into the clothes you want to wear for
visitation. On Friday night, all preliminary winners should change and return to
stage for group pictures.
Visitation for Miss Contestants
Contestant visitation will take place Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday nights
after competition. Your family and franchise will be admitted to visitation by the
purchase of a Pageant Week Badge. You may choose to wear a special outfit or
casual clothing for visitation. No one goes to visitation until all contestants are
ready. You must wear your badge. Do not allow anyone to give you gifts, flowers,
or mail during visitation. Those items must be taken to Hostess Headquarters.
Saturday Night
Rehearsal on Saturday is different from the rest of the week. Every contestant
will rehearse as if she is in the Top Ten and Final Five. You must give your full
attention so you will know exactly what to do if your name is called. Before we
leave the theater on Saturday, all clothing, costumes, props and other belongings
must be in perfect order. Your hostess must know exactly what you plan to wear
if you are one of the finalists. She will have only minutes to move your
belongings to the dressing room you will use for final competition.
Contestants not in the Top Ten will still appear in various segments of the show.
They must be able to get into their dressing rooms and be able to enter and leave
side stage after appearances. Space is tight. Emotions are high. Cooperation and
thoughtfulness are essential on everyone’s part.
Before leaving the apartment for the theater on Saturday night, pack a small bag
with everything you will need for the night, plus your interview suit and
necessary accessories. If you become Miss Georgia, you will not return to the
apartments on Saturday night. Someone will move these essential items to your
new hotel room. If you are crowned Miss Georgia, you will stay at the hotel with
a chaperone. Be sure your hostess has the key to your room at the apartments.
Everyone, except Miss Georgia will be given two options following the pageant on
Saturday night:
•
Option 1: Contestants may return to the Broadway Crossing apartment
with a hostess and stay the night.
•
Option 2: Contestant will sign out for the night with a parent or their local
franchise which must be present for the contestant to leave. You MUST
return to the apartment by 8:00 AM to clear the apartment.
Sunday Morning
The Sunday morning after the Miss Georgia Pageant will be very hectic. There
are many things to do and you should recruit family and friends to assist you.
Starting at 8:00 am, contestants will need to clear the apartment.
They will need to remove their belonging, including flowers, clean the refrigerator
and take out the trash. When everything is loaded and cleaned out of her
apartment, contestants are required to check out with their hostess and then turn
in their key downstairs in hostess headquarters. After leaving the apartment,
contestants will report to the River Center. The River Center will not be
open until 10:00 am. At that time, the contestants need to clear everything
out of their dressing rooms. Please do not go to breakfast in the middle of these
tasks. All contestants must complete check out at both locations by
11:00 am.
For some of you this will be your last time as a contestant; others will be back on
the stage again. Whatever the case may be, we hope you will return to Columbus
and the Miss Georgia Pageant and become lifelong supporters of the Miss
America Scholarship Program.