RULES AND GUIDELINES

 

1. It is agreed upon entering any Dance Out Competition-sponsored event that participants, including students, parents, teachers, and other spectators, will not hold Dance Out Competition, or its 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 Dance Out Competition event.

2. Dance Out Competition reserves the right, when necessary, to move a competition site or to expand a competition to a multiple-day event including Friday during school hours.

3. Participants agree that the time, manner, and method of judging the competition shall be solely within the discretion of the directors of Dance Out Competition.

4. All results of a competition are final. 

5. No video cameras or flash photography allowed. Professional videos and/or DVDs may be available free of charge at each Dance Out Competition.

6. Participation in any Dance Out Competition sponsored event indicates permission is granted to Dance Out Competition to use any photographs or video taken during the event in promotional venues, including newspapers, brochures, ads, television, videos, the internet, and other publications, unless it is refused in writing by the studio director, parent or guardian 30 days in advance of the event.

7. All routines, music, choreography, and costumes must be suitable for family viewing.

8. Competing dancers must perform in the order scheduled by the competition unless; the backstage manager gives special permission. Costume changes or approved extenuating circumstances are without penalties.

9. Except for the judges and Dance Out Competition Staff, there will be no food or drink permitted in any auditorium.

 

Dance Out Competition reserves the right to change, delete, or add to any rules, regulations, and policies at any time they consider necessary.

 

Schedules are at the sole discretion of the Dance Out Competition and will be determined based on the amount of time available at each competition.  Special requests can be made for scheduling, however they are not guaranteed. Upon request, we may allow a dancer(s) to be moved to an earlier or later spot, however if they do not perform during their scheduled session they will not be eligible for Overall High Score placement.  They will receive their adjudication medal.

 

We are unable to accommodate individual schedule requests. NO REFUNDS will be issued unless the competition is canceled.   Credits will be issued at the director’s discretion.

 

​ * In the event that Dance Out is unable to provide a photographer, each studio will be permitted to have one person take pictures and videos of the competition. A credential will be given to each studio on each performance day. One credential per studio. 

 

ENTRY FORM POLICY

 

All entries must be made through our website.

 

Entry fees must be received by the deadline to avoid late charges. Late entries or those needing changes and/or additions after the deadline will require an additional fee per entry.  5% discount may be deducted from your total balance due if registration and payments are received by the Early Bird deadline.  No exceptions.  No early bird discounts are given for nationals.

 

No changes in entries will be allowed two weeks before the event.

 

All fees must be paid by studio check, cashier’s check, or money order. Dance Out accepts credit card payments through an online system a 1.5% convenience fee will be applied.  Any fees received after the deadline must be paid by cashier’s check or money order.  Onsite payments will not be excepted.   STUDIOS WILL NOT BE ADDED TO THE SCHEDULE UNTIL PAID IN FULL

 

All fees are non-refundable.  Credits for future events will be given at the Dance Out Director’s discretion. No exceptions

​

PANDEMIC REFUND POLICY

We have a Pandemic Safety plan in place should we need to implement it in the future.  The plan will follow CDC guidelines as well as city and venue guidelines.  The safety of our clients and staff will be our number one priority.

 

In the event we have to cancel a competition rather than reschedule due to a pandemic, we will offer 3 options. 

​

1. a credit for a future Dance Out event

2. a partial refund and credit to a future Dance Out event  

3. a full refund of entry fees.  

​

Please note the successful planning of a competition season requires that we incur a large portion of our expenses before the season starts. This includes pre‐paying a significant portion of our venue costs, awards costs, merchandise expenses, and much more, therefore refund checks may not be distributed immediately.

 

Entries are accepted on a first-come/first-serve basis and are limited to performance time availability. Dance Out Competition reserves the right to refuse any application at any time for any reason.

 

There will be a $30.00 charge on returned checks for whatever reason.

 

Confirmations, competition schedules, and details will be sent out approximately one to two weeks before the event.

 

Schedules will not be sent until fees are paid in full.

 

 

MUSIC POLICY

 

 All music must be uploaded to our website via the music tool in your Studio Center.  The music upload deadline is 14 days before the competition

 

Please bring back up on a smartphone or tablet.

 

PROPS

 

1. Dangerous props are not allowed, including, but not limited to pyrotechnics, fire, water, glass, swords, guns, and knives. Routines are not permitted to include any type of prop that has the capability of causing any injury or that compromises performance space.

2. The following prop items are prohibited: confetti, hanging scenery/backdrops, special lighting, fog/bubble machine, live animals, and fluids.

3. No Prop item may be thrown from the stage into the house section of the theatre.

4. Props must be freestanding. Persons placing or removing props must not wear any studio garment or organization affiliation. Ensure no debris is left on stage after your routine. Failure to comply may result in disqualification.

5. Property holding areas are limited to the space provided by the venue. Dance Out Competition assumes no responsibility for limited space regarding props when not in use.

6. Dance Out Competition assumes no responsibility for damaged or misplaced/stolen properties at any competition.

 

 

DANCE CATEGORIES

 

No more than three acrobatic tricks are allowed in any subject other than Open and Acro Dance. All acts must be dominant to the category.

 

Jazz: routine consisting of jazz technique.

 

Ballet: routine consisting of classical ballet technique.

 

Pointe: routine demonstrating classical Ballet and Pointe techniques. (Pointe Shoes Only)

 

Lyrical: routine interpreting the lyrics mood and feeling of the music, combining the techniques of jazz, ballet, and modern.

 

Tap: routine consisting of tap technique.

 

Modern: interpreting dance routine using modern dance technique and choreography.

 

Open: routine consisting of any dance style or combination of styles.

 

Contemporary: routine consisting of any dance style or combination of ballet, hip hop, modern or lyrical.

 

Hip Hop: routine containing street and funk movements.

 

Character/Musical Theatre: routine portraying a character (s) or interpreting Broadway and theatre-type dance.

 

Folkloric: Ethnic styles including Hawaiian, African, Spanish, Polkas, Middle Eastern, Irish, Clogging, etc.

 

Acro Dance: routine consisting of 50% acrobatic moves and 50% dance.

 

Pom Pom: routine consisting of pom-pom techniques.

 

T/S (Teachers and Students): dance instructors or choreographers performing with students. 

 

Pro-Am: Any teacher or professional dancer may perform in this category. A Pro-Am receives payment for their choreography, performance, and/or instruction. But not student teachers ages 18 years or less. All dance styles are permitted and may be performed by a solo, duo/trio, group, or line and may include students. Teachers or professionals are not allowed to dance in the regular categories, except in Adult Division, wherein one teacher can perform in a Small Group, Large Group, or Line. The Pro-Am entries will be scored separately and not grouped with other Adult Division entries for overall awards.

​

AGE DIVISIONS 

• Mini Petite             Ages 6 and under

• Petite                      Ages 7-8

• Junior                    Ages 9-10

• Pre-Teen               Ages 11-12

• Teen                      Ages 13-14

• Senior                   Ages 15-18 

• Adult                     Ages 19+

 

Soloist age category and division is determined by age as of JANUARY 1. Duet, Trio, and Group age categories and divisions are determined by averaging the ages of all act members as of JANUARY 1.

 

Professional:   Dance teachers and professionals age 20 and older who wish to be scored and critiqued but are not eligible for high point and cash awards.

​

INTRO LEVEL DIVISION. NEW 2024 

 

Intro Level: No Competitive Division dancers are permitted in the Intro Level Division. This division is for recreational dancers and/or new competitors who meet at least two (3) of these criteria:

 

1. Train 2 hours a week or less (this includes all class and rehearsal time); 

2. Have had a total of 2 years or less of dance training in any one style or combination of dance forms

3. First-year competitors.  Solos and duos/trios must be 100% Intro 

4. For groups and lines, 100% of the dancers must be Intro. 

5. À la seconds are not allowed in the Intro Level

6. Triple Pirouettes are not allowed in the Intro Level

 

Important note regarding Intro-Level Division dancers: 

Duo / Trio dancers must be 100% Novice level. 

When choosing a competitive level, groups must use the 40% -60% rule.  60% must be novices and adhere to all other Novice level criteria.

Elite dancers may not compete in a novice routine; you can choose the split level when combining novice, intermediate, and elite dancers.  If you have only one elite-level dancer in the routine, you can still use the 60%-40% rule.  All dancers must adhere to the novice-level criteria.  

​

​​​

INTERMEDIATE LEVEL DIVISION NEW 2024

 

This division is for recreational dancers ages 11 & under and 12 & above who currently train and have trained 5 hours or less per week over the past three years (All dancers in any group size must meet these criteria by 100%.) Dancers may dance up a level for groups only.

​

 

Important note regarding Intermediate Level Division

Duo / Trio dancers must be 100% Intermediate level.  A novice dancer may compete in an intermediate-level duo or trio and still have a novice solo.

When choosing a competitive level, groups must use the 40% -60% rule.  60% must be intermediate and adhere to all other Intermediate level criteria. You can choose the split level when combining intermediate and elite dancers. 

 

SHOULD A DANCER(S) NOT MEET THE CRITERIA FOR THE LEVEL THEY ARE PLACED IN, THE JUDGES WILL MOVE THEM TO THE APPROPRIATE LEVEL.  IF THE AWARD CEREMONY FOR THAT AGE DIVISION/LEVEL HAS ALREADY BEEN HELD, THE DANCER(S) WILL RECEIVE THEIR ADJUDICATION BUT WILL NOT BE ELIGIBLE FOR OVERALL AWARDS.

​

ELITE LEVEL DIVISION

 

This division is for the competitive dancer possessing more advanced skill sets based on age.

​

SPLIT LEVEL DIVISION 

This level is for Small and Large groups and is designed for routines combining Elite and Intermediate dancers.  If you combine Intro and Intermediate levels, then the level of 60% of your dancers determines the level.  For example, if 60% of your dancers are intermediate, your level would be intermediate.  

​

** If the judges determine a routine is placed in the incorrect level, it will automatically be moved to the appropriate level.

​

Lines and Productions should use the 60%-40% Rule.

 

 STAND-OUT LEVEL DIVISION

 

This division is for students with disabilities and special needs who want a chance to shine.  Performance times will be close to an awards ceremony.  The age levels and categories will be the same as other levels.  They can enter solos, duo/trios, and group routines.

 

REGIONAL SOLO TITLE COMPETITION

 

Petite, Junior, Pre-Teen Teen, and Senior age divisions must be entered in the Elite Level.  In the Mini Petite age division, all levels are allowed. Each dancer is permitted to have only one piece in consideration for the Title Competition. This includes all age divisions. NO ONSITE REGISTRATIONS WILL BE ALLOWED.

 

Each dancer will be asked to introduce themselves, including their name, age, studio, and choreographer. They will be asked to demonstrate a particular dance step/skill by our MC. The dancers must then accomplish the steps/skills from the ballet and jazz forms.  The scores will be added to the solo score to determine the winner.

 

AGE REQUIREMENT FOR TITLE COMPETITION

• Mini Petite Miss / Mini Petite Mister             Ages 6 and under

• Petite Miss / Petite Mister                            Ages 7-8 .  

• Junior Miss / Junior Mister                           Ages 9-10

• Pre-Teen Miss/Pre-Teen Mister                    Ages 11-12

• Teen Miss / Teen Mister                               Ages 13-14

• Miss / Mister                                                 Ages 15-18 

 

REGIONAL TITLE AWARDS

Trophy

Tiara

 

JUDGING GUIDELINES 

 

A pre-determined panel of judges will score contestants, and all entrants agree that the judges' decisions are final. All entrants agree that the time, manner, and method of judging the competition will be solely within the discretion of the Directors and Assistant Directors of Dance Out.  Judges may move routines to a higher level or a different genre at their discretion. All score sheets will be available to studio owners/directors only.  Each performance will be evaluated on the following five elements:

 

1) Technique                        40 points total

2) Stage Presence               30 points total

3) Choreography                 15 points total

4) Timing and Music           15 points total

​

There is a maximum of 100 points per judge.  Each act that performs will receive a score from a panel of three predetermined judges. Adjudicated awards are based on composite scores, not placement within an age group in each category. This may result in multiple Double Platinum, Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Bronze awards presented in each age group for each category.

 

If a dance, costume, or music is deemed inappropriate for family viewing, it will be scored lower by judges and not eligible for High Score Overall awards.

 

TIME LIMITS

Categories      # Dancers                 Time Limit

Solo                          1                     2:30 minutes 

Duo/Trio               2-3                   2:30 minutes  

Small Group         4-9                   3:30 minutes

Large Group       10-18                   4:00 minutes

Line                       19+                     5:00 minutes

Production           19+                     8:00 minutes 

 

REGIONAL COMPETITION FEES

Please contact Dance Out office or email us.

 

REGIONAL AWARDS

 

ADJUDICATED AWARDS

Each routine will receive an adjudicated medal (Double Platinum, Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze) based on score.

​

OVERALL HIGH SCORE AWARDS

1st – 5th Place in each age division/level will receive a trophy

6th -10th Place in each age division/level will receive a medal

Minimum routines are required in each division to award all ten places. When the minimum requirement is not met a reduction in awards and/or combining of divisions/group sizes may occur. A representative from the studio must be present on stage during the awards ceremony to be eligible for the Overall Awards.   Productions will be combined by level for overall line-ups.  

​

PRODUCTIONS -OVERALL HIGH SCORES

Productions per level will be combined for overall placement regardless of the age division.  

 

AWARD CERTIFICATES

Overall high points in 1st place will receive the following cash or gift certificate award: Certificates will be added to your studio center after the event in which you participated.  They will expire after one year.

 

Cash awards or Award certificates will be given to the studio director. It is the Director's decision as to the distribution of such. Cash awards and/or gift certificates will only be eligible when there are ten or more competition numbers in an age division and level for the following group sizes: Solo, Duo/Trio, Small Groups, Large Groups, Lines, and when there are two or more Productions. 

 

Solo                   $25

Duo/Trio            $25

Small Group     $50

Large Group     $50

Lines                 $75

Production       $100

​

JUDGES CHOICE AWARDS

Dance Out Competition will award an undetermined number of Special Awards at the Director's and/or Judges' discretion. 

 

CATEGORY AWARDS

Category winners will be awarded to the highest-scoring routine in each dance category and age division.  There must be a minimum of 3 routines to receive a category winner medal.

 

DANCE OUT SPECIAL AWARDS

 

• Outstanding Costume

• Outstanding Showmanship

• Outstanding Choreography

• Outstanding Technique

• Outstanding Entertainment

 

Routines selected in each age division/level will receive a banner or specialty award.

 

TKO AWARD

TKO Routine- Knockout (TKO) performances (solo, duo, trio, small and large groups) will be randomly selected by our judges during our regional events.  TKO will be announced during the awards ceremony after the overall awards.  Routines that receive the TKO award will advance directly to the Final Showdown held at our national finals.  This will not prevent other studio routines from advancing to the showdown.   All TKO routines must be entered for the national finals.

TKO routines will receive an award  banner

 

ELITE PERFORMANCE TEAM

Dancers will be selected at each regional to participate in our Elite Performance Team.  The EPT dancers will attend rehearsals during nationals to learn a routine from out EPT choreographer.  Our Elite Performance team will open the show at our final showdown.  Rehearsal schedules will be sent out with the national finals schedule.  A T-shirt must be purchased to use as the costume for $25.00.

 

CONTOUR DANCE WORKSHOP SCHOLARSHIPS

The workshop is held in the fall.  An undetermined amount of full scholarships will be given at regional competitions.  Scholarships will be valid for the year in which they were earned.  They are not transferrable

 

DANCE OUT CHALLENGE

This category simulates an audition wherein all entered dancers will be taught a 32-48 count jazz/hip hop dance combination by our Dance Off instructor. The dancers will perform the combination in groups. Through the judge’s process of elimination, a top 5 will be determined. Dancers will be divided into two age brackets for the Dance  Out  Challenge: 7-11 and 12-18 years old. Dancers must enter based upon their age AS OF THE SAME DAY the Dance Off is held. Tickets will be available for purchase at the Dance Out Competition Boutique at the event for $10.00 each. This is an invaluable experience to all dancers!

 

1st Place in each division will receive a trophy

2nd -5th Place will receive a medal

 

 

 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP FINALS  ENTRY FEES

Please contact Dance Out office or email us.

 

NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP FINALS SOLO TITLE

Elite Level only for Petite, Junior, Teen, and Senior age divisions.  Mini Petite age divisions all levels are allowed. Each dancer is permitted to have only one piece in consideration for the Title Competition. This includes all age divisions. NO ONSITE REGISTRATIONS WILL BE ALLOWED.

 

INTERVIEW ROUND

Dancers are asked to wear formal attire for this round

Each dancer will be asked to introduce themselves including their name, age, studio, and choreographer.

Each dancer will draw a question from the bowl and answer it on stage. Questions will be age appropriate and points for their answer will be added to the solo and technique round to determine the winner.

 

SKILLS ROUND

Each dancer will be asked to introduce themselves including their name, age, studio, and choreographer. They will be asked to demonstrate a particular dance step/skill by our MC. The dancers then have to accomplish the steps/skills from the ballet and jazz form.  The scores will be added to the solo and interview round scores to determine the winner.

 

AGE REQUIREMENT FOR TITLE COMPETITION

 

• Mini Petite Miss / Mini Petite Mister            Ages 6 and  

• Petite Miss / Petite Mister                            Ages 7-8  

• Junior Miss / Junior Mister                           Ages 9-10

• Pre Teen Miss/Pre-Teen Mister                    Ages 11-12

• Teen Miss / Teen Mister                               Ages 13-14

• Miss / Mister                                                Ages 15-18

 

 

NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP FINALS  TITLE AWARDS

Trophy

Tiara

Sash

 

 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP FINALS AWARDS

 

ADJUDICATED AWARDS

Each routine will receive an adjudicated medal (Double Platinum, Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Bronze) based on score.

 

OVERALL HIGH SCORE AWARDS

1st – 5th Place in each age division/level will receive a trophy

6th -10th Place in each age division/level will receive a trophy

Minimum numbers of routines are required in each division to award all 10 places. When the minimum requirement is not met a reduction in awards and/or combining of divisions/group sizes may occur. A representative from the studio must be present on stage during the awards ceremony to be eligible for Overall Awards. Dancers must be in costume or team uniform during award ceremonies

​

PRODUCTIONS -OVERALL HIGH SCORES

Productions per level will be combined for overall placement regardless of the age division.  

 

CASH AWARDS or AWARD CERTIFICATES

Overall high points in 1st place  - 3rd Place will receive the following cash and/or gift certificate award:  Certificates may be used at regional events only.  They will not be accepted at the national finals.

​

Cash awards or Award certificates will be given to the director of the studio. It is the Director's decision as to the distribution of such. Cash awards and/or gift certificates will only be eligible when there are 10 or more competition numbers in an age division and level for the following group sizes: Solo, Duo/Trio, Small Groups, Large Groups, Lines, and when there are two or more Productions.

​

Solo                    1st $75                2nd $50  -          3rd $25

Duo/Trio            1st $75                 2nd $50             3rd $25

Small Group     1st $125               2nd $75  -          3rd $50

Large Group     1st $125               2nd $75  -          3rd $50

Lines                 1st $125              2nd $75              3rd $50

Production       1st $250              2nd $125  -        3rd $75

 

JUDGES CHOICE AWARDS

Dance Out Competition will award an undetermined number of Special Awards at the Director and/or Judges discretion. 

 

CATEGORY AWARDS

Category winners will be awarded to the highest-scoring routine in each dance category and age division.  There must be a minimum of 3 routines to receive a category winner medal.

 

DANCE OUT SPECIAL AWARDS

 

• Outstanding Costume

• Outstanding Showmanship

• Outstanding Choreography

• Outstanding Technique

• Outstanding Entertainment

 

Routines selected in each age division/level will receive a banner or specialty award.

​

 

DANCE OUT  FINAL SHOWDOWN 

​

Top 5 Small/Large groups combined in each level and age division from the National Championship Finals will advance to the Final Showdown (TKO -routines will be additional).  Split and Elite levels will be combined for the Final Showdown.   Each studio may have only one routine in each level/age division advance to the final showdown.  If a studio received at TKO during a regional competition it will automatically advance in addition to the one routine limit per studio.   If there is only one group in an age division/level they will recompete in the Final Showdown for the Knock Out Award

 

Top 5 Line/ Productions all levels and divisions combined from the National Championship Finals will advance to the Final Showdown

Each studio may have only one routine in each level/age division advance to the final showdown.  If a studio received at TKO during regional competition it will automatically advance in addition to the one routine limit per studio. 

.

**In the event there is only 1 group in an age division/level they will advance to the Final Showdown to compete for the Knock Out Award. 

​

The 1st Place Overall Solo and Duo/Trio in each level and age division from our national finals will be invited to perform in the Final Showdown.

​

​

Our panel of Judges will score ALL routines in the Final Showdown.

 

FINAL SHOWDOWN AWARDS

​

1st Place Trophy for the top scoring solo and duo/trio in each age division/level

1st Place Trophy for the top scoring small/large group in each age division/level

1st Place Trophy for the top scoring line/production (all ages & levels combined)

​

KNOCK OUT AWARD

Top Top-scoring group routine in each level will receive this award along with a $500 Award

 

​

 UNDISPUTED NATIONAL CHAMPION AWARD

The Undisputed Belt will be awarded to the group routine the judges & director felt was the most memorable performance from Final Showdown along with a $1000 award.

 

 

**All rules are subject to change by Director or venue.