Idols After Dark

Sometimes, even idols want to just let their hair down and go crazy - and we're here for it! New to Stage Uzume, we're excited to announce Idols After Dark, a showcase of amazing idols and performers showing off content they normally don't get a chance to perform! Whether your choreography is more suggestive than usual for a general audience, or if you have a song that's a little too profane, or what have you, Idols After Dark is your chance to perform those songs where you normally wouldn't be able to. We'd love to see you at Idols After Dark: let our idols say "F*%K!"

NOTE: Attendees are prohibited from making any recordings of any content from Idols After Dark, including (but not limited to) audio, video, or photographic recordings. Performers are permitted to record their performances by themselves or by someone delegated by them.

Timeline and Deadlines
March 5th: Applications open for Idols After Dark.
May 9th: Applications for both events close at 11:59p that night.
May 23rd: Applicants will receive notice of their acceptance or rejection from the event(s) they applied for.
June 6th: Applicants must acknowledge their acceptance to the event(s) by this date. Failure to do so will be interpreted as the applicant rescinding their interest to perform.
June 30th: Performers must send in all required resources by this date, including song selections and audio files, revisions to bios, penlight color(s), and so on. No changes can be made after this date.
July 17-20th: Tekko 2025! 

Eligibility

• You must have a valid Tekko 2025 badge to participate. Anyone found not to be registered will not be allowed to perform and/or disallowed from applying for Tekko 2025.
• You must be 18 years or older to participate.
• Participation in this event does not bar you from participation in other Stage Uzume events, so please feel free to apply to as many as you would like!

Applying for Idols After Dark

Application Process

• Fill out the application form here:
• Stage Uzume staff will choose who will perform based on the audition videos/performances sent in.
• Audition videos will not be shared with anyone outside of Stage Uzume staff.
• Decisions on acceptance will be sent out within two weeks of the form’s closing.

Audition Guidelines

• Note: From this point forward, we will be referring to all work you have done in the past that you are submitting in your application as “audition videos.” An example of this could be a video of you performing live, a motion graphics MV (example at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9qed_905Ms), or a lyric video. If you cannot provide a video for whatever reason, we will also accept audio recordings!
• Audition videos should fit within the type of music you are performing based on the theme of Idols After Dark, which is idol-inspired performances (all-inclusive; jpop, kaigai, kpop, etc.) which would go beyond a PG-13 rating (songs that use profane language, suggestive choreography, etc.) . If we think your performance would not fit that but still want to invite you to the event you applied for, we will communicate with you to discuss potential options!
• Videos must be at least 2 minutes long and you must demonstrate skill in the areas you are applying for. Singers must sing, dancers must dance, and those wanting to do both must demonstrate both.
• In the application form, please remember to include the name and artist for the song(s) you are auditioning with, alongside a link to a video with the original choreography if you are auditioning to dance and using existing choreography.
• Make sure all dances can be clearly seen and singing can be clearly heard in your audition video.
• Audition videos should be as recent as possible (2024-2025 preferred). Anything uploaded July 2023 or prior will not be accepted.
• If performing in a group, all performers must be present in the audition video.  You may send separate videos of any individuals in your group if you do not have a video of everyone together. Please email the Stage Uzume email if you have any concerns or need assistance with this.

Song Choice Guidelines

• Performers may perform for as long or as little as they would like, as long as they do not exceed 10 minutes in length. If you wish to perform for longer than 15 minutes, upon acceptance please email Stage Uzume as this will be determined on a case-by-case basis.
• Song selection will take place whenever you receive your acceptance email. You will receive a confirmation as to what song(s) you will be performing after all performers have responded to their acceptance emails.
• Whichever time slot you choose, you must provide your preferred songs for that length of time.
• Songs may be combined into medleys as long as the medley is on one audio file. If this is your intent, please note that when confirming your song selections. Your choices can all be close approximations if you haven’t cut and mixed the music together yet, as long as the final product is submitted by June 30, 2025.

Responsibilities of Performers / Important Information

• You must respond to emails that require confirmation or important information from you in a timely fashion.  If we cannot reach you for important information, you may be removed from the performance. If you know you will not be able to make a deadline, please communicate this ahead of time!
• Performers who are accepted will need to send their audio files and other necessary information by June 30, 2025.
• This event will take place on Stage Uzume at Tekko on Friday from 8:30-9:30pm!
• There will be a mandatory rehearsal the evening of the events, Friday from 6-7:30pm. If any members are not present, they will not be allowed to perform. If for any reason you must miss this rehearsal, please communicate this ASAP!
• You must be ready to perform on time.  Any performer/group which is not fully present 20 minutes before the event starts will not be allowed to perform.
• You must present a good attitude as a performer to your fellow performers, the staff, and your audience. These events are not competitions and are purely here to celebrate a culture of dance, music, and performance that we all love and support! 

Other Notes

• This event takes place at Stage Uzume at Tekko, which is on the fourth floor of the David L. Lawrence Convention Center. The stage is 32’ x 18’ and is carpeted. Pictures of the venue can be provided upon request.
• Reminder: While this event will be at a more adult content rating and permits profane language as well as more suggestive choreography, your attire must still fit within Tekko’s clothing policy (“Standard of Dress” at https://tekko.us/rules).
• Groups must not be larger than 5 performers.
• Feel free to MC during your performance! Someone from Stage Uzume will introduce you to the audience before performing, but after that the show is yours!
• Wireless microphones are in use - we have four available. If you will need more than four, please communicate this with us ASAP!
• There will be a stage monitor pointing toward the performers so that anyone singing should be able to hear themselves.
• If you need any specific props, you must bring them yourself!
  • You may store your props backstage. However, Stage Uzume and Tekko staff assume no responsibility for any belongings that you leave backstage, and that you do so at your own risk.
• If you have any cool ideas with other fellow performers you’d like to do, reach out to us. We love new ideas!
• Our events at Stage Uzume are a celebration of performers performing all different types of music and celebrating a vast array of cultures. As such, we are looking forward to welcoming all types of performers and ask that you do not judge the idols and performers on stage in a negative way!

If you have any questions, comments or concerns, contact us at uzume@pittjcs.org and we’ll do our best to get back to you as quickly as possible!