Showstopper has been making an impact on the dance world since 1978. Before then, dancers didn’t have a stage to perform on, the opportunity to learn from peers, or a competitive outlet like most sports. Debbie Roberts recognized this missing piece in the dance community and that is how America’s first and longest-running dance competition, Showstopper, was born. Debbie taught dance for over 26 years and owned and operated her own dance studio for 20 years. With the name suggestion from her dancing, 8-year-old daughter Angel, Debbie took her savings and booked four competitions, calling them Showstopper.
She wrote letters and knocked on the doors of local dance studios. Despite many doors slamming in her face, Debbie did not give up. Instead, she drove around the state with her big sales pitch. Eventually, she recruited about 400 people to attend her first show. By the fourth show of that year, people were asking her how they could participate in Showstopper’s competitions.
In no time, local televisions and newspapers were filled with pictures of children leaping across the Showstopper stage. The excitement and curiosity grew from dancers across the country, and with the help of her husband, they continued expanding their competitions from state to state. Showstopper attracted incredible young talent. Many of today’s top superstars like Beyoncé and Britney Spears marked the beginning of their careers on Showstopper’s stage.
As a full production company, today Showstopper hosts over 50 events a year throughout the United States and internationally. Each competition is equipped with the industry‘s best stages, background screens, lighting, and cameras. In 2023 our stages saw over 50,000 dancers from across the globe. Each year Showstopper hosts 6 dance conventions where dancers learn from the world‘s top dancers and choreographers.
According to goshowstopper.com; and dance-teacher.com. Source of photos: internet
