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Rules and Regulations

Important Information for the Competitor and Studio

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY

Failure to comply with these rules could result in disqualification. Rules and Regulations are Subject to Change.

DANCER LEVELS

DanceSational’s Novice/Recreational Level:

This division is for a dancer who takes a maximum of 3 hours of dance per week. It is for the novice/beginner dancer who has not attended much, if any, competitions. It is designed to let the novice dancers get the feel for competition, stage performances, judges, audience, etc, and will be adjudicated, as well as receive additional high score awards within their division. It is NOT mandatory that beginner students enter at this Level.

DanceSational’s Intermediate Level:

Dancers that study between 4-7 hours of class per week and have significant competition experience should consider the Intermediate Level. This division will be adjudicated as well as receive additional high score awards within their division.

DanceSational’s Advanced Level:

Dancers who take more than 8 or more hours of class per week and have significant competition experience should be considered this division. The Advanced Level is open to all performers and will be adjudicated, as well as receive additional high score awards within their division.

**DanceSational wants all levels of dancers to have a chance to compete. Please choose the proper level for your dancers.**

Age Calculation

Petite Ages 8 and under
Junior Ages 9 to 12
Teen Ages 13 to 15
Senior Ages 16 to 19
Adult Ages 20 and above

 

The age category for all routines is determined by the average age of the performers as of January 1st. The average age determines the age range into which you may enter. For dances with two or more dancers, add the ages of all the contestants, and then divide by the number of contestants. Drop the decimal point when averaging the ages, i.e., an average of 12.5 would compete in the 12 year old division.

Duet/Trios or Groups will compete no more than one age division younger than the oldest dancer, regardless of average age. For example: if a group includes a dancer age 17 (senior division) and the average age is 12 (junior division), the group will compete one level above junior, age 13 (teen division)

Any child 2 years younger than the average age must perform a meaningful and significant amount of choreography. Note: Contestants may be required to present proof of age in the form of a birth certificate if an issue regarding age occurs,  Such discrepancies must be presented to the director of DanceSational Dance Competition within a half hour of the performance of the entry in question. Remember: All regional ages are as of January 1st.

Entry Fees

All fees must be paid by studio checks, credit cards, or cashier checks. All payments within three weeks of the event must be paid by credit card or cashier’s check only. All fees are non-refundable. NO EXCEPTIONS. There is a $35.00 fee for returned checks.

Changes and Late Entries

Late entries will require an additional $5 fee per student.  Any changes made to existing entries within 14 days prior to the competition will be subjected to a $5 change fee. NO CHANGES WILL BE MADE ON COMPETITION DAY. Please check over your schedules very closely prior to the event and notify the office immediately of any mistakes or changes.

Performance Categories

No More than three acrobatic tricks are allowed in any subject other than acro dance and open. A “trick” is considered anything “going over the head”. One “pass” is counted as one trick. All acts must be dominant to the category. The only exceptions to this are forward, backward and shoulder rolls, and tricks in lifts (a lift being defined as being supported by another dancer with any body part).  To protect the integrity and to ensure a quality event no acrobatic tricks are allowed in these disciplines indicated with an asterisk (*).

*Ballet Routine must consist of ballet technique. Must include classical steps and movements. No pointe shoes allowed.
*Pointe Routine must consist of pointe technique
*Tap Routine must contain tap technique and primarily tap work. No pre-recorded tap sounds allowed in music.
*Clogging/Irish Step A routine incorporating clogging technique and/or Irish step dancing.
Jazz Routine must consist of primarily jazz technique.
Modern A routine consisting of modern contemporary movement
Contemporary A routine that draws on both classical ballet and modern dance.
Hip-Hop Routine consisting primarily of Hip Hop Technique. Break dancing, street funk, and pop & lock are also included in this category. The music must not contain inappropriate lyrics, if so, it needs to be edited.
Character/Musical Theater Broadway/Theater dance styles using songs from “Broadway” or movie musicals. (Pantomime may/may not be used)
Acro Dance A routine using controlled moves such as walkovers, limbers, handstands, chest rolls, etc. Can contain gymnastic passes.  Can contain flexibility moves or contortionist moves.  Must contain dance moves, steps, and choreography.
Pom/Drill team A routine consisting of cheerleading or dance team technique.  Sharp clean movements including kicks, jumps, and formation changes with the use of poms.
Liturgical A style of dance in the religious theme, which may incorporate any of the above styles of dance.
Ethnic A routine that uses any ethnic style of dance (African, Hawaiian, Japanese, Middle Eastern, Indian, Flamenco, and Tahitian) and is specific to the region.
Open Any of our listed categories, combinations of listed category styles, or any style of dance not previously listed.

 

Production/Line

A routine utilizing a group of at least 15 dancers incorporating any style or combination of styles of dance.

Music

All music should be sent to the DanceSational staff prior to arrival at the competition, preferably through the online registration system. It can also be emailed to dancesational5678@aol.com; or, send a USB/CD to 116 Bellevue Ave, Hammonton, NJ 08037. The-email should have the title of the number, the studio name, type of routine (i.e. solo, trio, small group etc.) and phone number. For emergency purposes, it is advisable to have a backup USB/CD in your possession. Please label your USB/CD with the same information as above and leave it with the desk when you check in at the competition

NOTE: ABSOLUTELY NO ENTRIES ACCEPTED AT THE REGISTRATION DESK.  Any change to entries after time schedule has been sent will be assessed at $5 per entry charge. 

AWARDS

There will be ties in the special award categories. Judges will be asked to break all ties.  Cash prizes will be awarded to the studio.

*Studio’s receiving special promotions, coupons, and cash awards may not apply.

High Score Award

DanceSational will recognize up to 3 of the highest scores in each age division and category in all.  A High Score Cash Award will be paid to the top score in all age divisions at Regional events.  The amount of the cash award will be determined by the total number of entries in the competition.  Please note that there must be a minimum of five routines in all categories to receive a cash prize.

Mr/Miss DanceSational

Awards will be presented to the male and female high score in each age division.  Winners in each title division will receive cash, a plaque, a crown, and their picture will appear in the DanceSational 2023 National Championship Program, posters, brochures, website, or related promotional literature.  These dancers will also have an opportunity to perform in the National Showcase opening number.

Mr/Miss Petite DanceSational Ages 8 and under
Mr/Miss Junior DanceSational Ages 9-12
Mr/Miss Teen DanceSational Ages 13-15
Mr/Miss Senior DanceSational Ages 16-19

 

DanceSational Technique Award

Groups and Lines only.  A Cash award and a plaque will be presented to the Group or Line with the Overall Highest Technique score from the judges.  This will be awarded to both age 11 & under and 12 & over.

Performance/Stage Presence Award

A plaque will be presented to the Group or Line based on the routines entertainment value.

Choreography Award

This award will be presented to the teacher of a Group or Line based on outstanding choreography and will receive a cash award.

Backstage Performance Award

This award will be selected by our Backstage Manager and will be presented to the studio that displays the most spirit, as well as overall good sportsmanship backstage during the competition.

Costume Award

All routines are automatically entered in the Best Costume Competition without any additional fees.  The selection will be made by the judges on overall design, creativity, fit, and workmanship.

Judges Award

Judges awards can be given when judges feel a particular routine deserves extra recognition.

Adjudication Awards

Each entry will be judged from a point system.  Each entry will receive a ranking of Platinum, High Gold, Gold, High Silver, Silver, or Bronze, based on their score.  In addition, a first place trophy will also be awarded to the routine with the highest score in each age division and performance division.  If there is only one entry in a division, a first place trophy will be awarded only if that entry receives Gold ranking or higher.  If there are not enough routines in both line and class they may be combined in order to offer the overall awards.  If there are 2 or more entries in a division, the trophy will go to the highest scoring routine regardless of ranking.  The

Adjudication breakdown is as follows:

High Platinum          291-300
Platinum          281-290
High Gold 271-280
Gold                 261-270
High Silver 251-260
Silver               201-250
Bronze            0-200

Additional Rules

DanceSational takes the photography rules very seriously, so please pay special attention to them.

  • All routines, music, choreography, and costumes must be suitable for family viewing and listening.  Failure to comply with this rule may result in point deduction or entry disqualification.
  • Coaching from the wings is absolutely prohibited.
  • A studio may not compete against itself in the same category with identical performers.  A Solo performer may not compete against himself or herself in a given category.  In a Duet/Trio, at least one dancer must be different when competing in the same category.
  • A three-point deduction will be made for dancers that leave the stage without completing the performance.  Dancers will not be allowed to re-perform the routine.
  • General props are permitted.  No dangerous props (swords, fire, etc.) No live animals.
  • NO SCENERY ALLOWED.  Prop must be an integral part of the routine.  If you cannot hold it, stand on it, or hang from it, it is considered scenery and is not a prop.
  • Prop set-up time should take less than 30 seconds.  If you have a prop that takes longer than 30 seconds to set, please make a note of it on your entry form.   If prop set-up time will cause you to exceed the total time allowed for that entry, please contact our office at danceSational5678@aol.com.
  • All prop contact must be Marley safe
  • Prop height should not exceed 10 feet
  • NO CAMERAS of any kind will be allowed in the auditorium during performances.  Use of cameras during performances may result in point deduction, disqualification of routine, or disqualification of studio.  PLEASE WARN PARENTS
  • Video cameras and flash photography are welcomed during award ceremonies ONLY.
  • DanceSational Dance Competition grants permission to use any photography or video taken during the event in promotional venues including, but not limited to, newspapers, brochures, ads, television, videos, newsletters, and the Internet.
  • It is agreed upon entering any DanceSational Dance Competition that participants, including students, parents, teachers, and other spectators, will not hold DanceSational or its owner, directors, employees, or host facilities liable for injuries sustained, illnesses contracted by them, or loss of property while in attendance and/or participating in any activity of a DanceSational event.
  • DanceSational does not assume responsibility for forgotten tapes, photographs, awards, or other items.
  • Participants agree that the time, manner, and method of judging the competition are final.  Judges break all ties.  No teacher, student, or parent will question a judge.  The director has the right to change the manner and methods at any time deemed necessary.
  • DanceSational reserves the right, when necessary, to move a competition site or to expand competition to a multiple day event.
  • DanceSational reserve the right to deduct points from or disqualify any entry or a participant that does not adhere to the rules and regulations.
  • The director of DanceSational reserves the rights to change, delete, or add to any rules, regulations, or policies at any time deemed necessary.

***Rules will be interpreted in the spirit of fairness to all participants

A LETTER FROM OUR DIRECTOR

Contestants are understood to recognize the risks of physical injury inherent in dance and dance performances and be willing to assume those risks.  It is agreed that participants will not hold DanceSational, its directors, or employees liable for injuries sustained or illnesses contracted by them while in attendance and/or performing in activity at a DanceSational Dance Competition. 

Please follow these guidelines.  Doing so will ensure a pleasant and fun competition for all dancers, parents, teachers, and spectators.

Dancingly Yours,  

Patrick Azzara, Paul Morris, and the Staff of DanceSational, LLC.

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