RULES & REGULATIONS

ENTRY DEADLINE:

Entries to all regional events should be submitted online by January 25, 2025 (for the 2025 regional competition). Registration for the 2025 competition will open early fall 2024. Stay tuned for more information. All music must be uploaded to the digital platform at least 2 weeks prior to the competition.

EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT:

Studios qualify for the early bird discount when registered and paid in full before December 31, 2024 (for the 2025 regional competition). The early bird discount is 10% off of registration fees.

In order to receive the early bird discount, after all of the routines for your studio have been registered (before December 31, 2024 for the 2025 regional competition) please contact the DPC staff via email and the discount will be applied before your final payment is due. Registration for the 2025 competition will open early fall 2024. Stay tuned for more information.

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TYPES OF ENTRIES AND TIME LIMITS:

Entry/Number of Dancers                                         Max Time

  • Solo, Duets/Trios                                                  2:45                
  • Small Group(4-9)                                                  3:00
  • Large Group(10-19)                                             4:00
  • Line(20+)                                                                6:00
  • Production(20+)                                                    8:00

Extended performance time fee is available for an additional fee:

  • 1:00 minute for a fee of $3.00 per performer
  • 2:00 minutes for a fee of $4.00 per performer
  • 3:00 minutes for a fee of $5.00 per performer
  • 4:00 minutes for a fee of $6.00 per performer

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FEES:

Entry fees must be paid in full one month prior to competition date.

  • Solo $130.00 (Limit of 2 Solos by the same dancer.)
  • Duet/Trio $70.00 each dancer
  • All group dances $55.00 each dancer
  • Dance Prodigy Titles $30.00
  • Photogenic $50.00

PAYMENTS:

Payments can be made by check/money order or credit card.  There is a 4%  additional fee to pay by credit card.  Please call 419-331-3511 to make a credit card payment.  If we do not answer please leave a message and we will return your call.

Checks or money orders can be mailed to :

Dance Prodigy Competition

101 Pioneer Road

Elida, Ohio  45807

NO REFUNDS NO EXCEPTIONS! If a change occurs due to illness or injury of a dancer after your invoice has been issued, the studio will receive a credit for the following season for any routines that were unable to perform due to the illness/injury. Please note: A doctor’s note or confirmed test result will be required.

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WHO CAN ENTER DPC:

Any dance studio or individual in good standing with Dance Prodigy Competition may register for this event.  You do not need to enter under a studio name, you may compete as an independent in any category (solo, duet/trio or group dance).

LEVELS: 3 LEVELS

The Novice Level is for a dancer with 3 years or less of training or no previous competition experience. This is for the beginner dancer who takes one or two classes a week and wants to gain experience at competition without worrying about competing against seasoned competitors. This level is judged only against other novice level routines. Novice dancers are judged on a more lenient scale with adjudication and high scores awarded for the 12 & under age division and the 13 & over age. There are no cash prizes at Novice level. Novices will be awarded trophies, medals, prizes and/or certificates.

The Intermediate Level is for the intermediate dancer. This level is for dancers who have been studying for between 2 and 4 years, who take at least 3 hours of dance classes a week and are on a competition team. Intermediate level should have previous competition experience. Intermediate level will be judged only against other intermediate level routines. This level will be awarded trophies, medals, prizes certificates, and other prizes.

The Elite Level is for the experienced dancer. This level is for dancers who have been studying for 3 or more years, who take at least 6 hours of dance classes a week and are on a competition team. Elite level should have previous competition experience. Elite level will be judged only against other Elite level routines. There are limited cash prizes at the Elite level, but this level is awarded vouchers for discounts and scholarships at future events. This level will be awarded trophies, medals, prizes, certificates, and/or other prizes.

AGE DIVISIONS:

The average age of all dancers on the day of the regional competition will determine the appropriate group for each dance entered. If the average age ends in .5, please round up.

In both the Novice and Elite categories, dancers will compete in the following age divisions:

Petite:                          5-8

Junior:                          9-12

Teen:                           13-15

Senior:                         16-19

Adult:                           20 and up

CATEGORY GUIDELINES:

The following dance categories can contain no gymnastics/acrobatic tricks:

Ballet, Pointe

Ballet: A routine that demonstrates ballet technique, which may include classical and/or contemporary movement and interpretation. (Ballet shoes only.)

Pointe: A routine that demonstrates ballet done on Pointe, which contains classical ballet technique.

A one half (.5) point deduction per judge will be made for any gymnastic/acrobatic trick in these categories. Tricks not allowed are movements that pass through or stop at a fully inverted (upside down) position with both feet off the floor (the torso passing or stopping directly over the top of ones head/ shoulders). The only exceptions to this are forward, backward and shoulder rolls, and acro tricks in lifts (a lift being defined as being supported by another dancer with any body part).

The following dance categories can contain no more than two gymnastic/acrobatic tricks:

Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, Modern, and Clogging

A one half (.5) point deduction per judge will be made for any gymnastic/acrobatic tricks in these categories over three. A gymnastic pass will be counted as the number of tricks in the pass.

Tap: A routine that demonstrates tap technique and basic tap floor work. Any routines demonstrating clogging technique should be considered for the clogging category.

Jazz: A routine that demonstrates jazz technique, which may include classical, contemporary, hip hop, funk, pop, or lock. Routines containing only hip hop, funk, pop, or lock technique should be considered for the hip hop category.

Lyrical: A routine that combines jazz, modern, and ballet techniques in fluid, controlled movements. Often has a “story” element that relates to the lyrics or emotion of the song.

Modern: A routine consisting of contemporary modern movement, which demonstrates control and balance throughout and utilizes modern- specific technique such as contractions, tilts, etc.

Clogging:  A routine incorporating clogging technique and movement.

Acrobatic Dance: A routine that combines gymnastics and tumbling ability with dance technique.

Character/ Musical Theater: A routine in which the dancer(s) portray(s) a character. (e.g. animal, TV, Broadway, historical, fictional, etc.) or interpret(s) a song from a Broadway or other musical, while incorporating dance technique and movement.

Hip Hop: A routine that utilizes street style dancing. Funk, break, pop and lock are also included in this category. The music must not contain inappropriate lyrics or it will be scored lower by the judges.

Drill/Pom: A routine consisting of sharp, clean movements, kicks, and jumps in drill team fashion. If poms are used, they should be used consistently throughout the routine.

Open: A routine that utilizes any combination  of dance techniques listed above or any other dance style not previously listed.

Contemporary: A routine that incorporates modern vocabulary while still staying true to classical ballet dance techniques. Routines are usually performed to music other than classical.

Baton: A routine using baton(s) and baton technique. Will be judged on both Baton technique and dance moves, steps, and choreography.

Photogenic:  Turn in photo day of competition at registration table.  Entries must bring to the competition a recent 5 x 7 or 8 x 10 in black and white or color to the competition. On the back of the photo list the name, age, and studio. Photos will be returned to the merchandise table at the conclusion of the competition. You do not have to be a registered competitor to enter the photogenic category, but you must be affiliated with a registered studio.  There is a $50.00 fee per photo entered in the photogenic category. Photos awards will be announced during the awards ceremony.

Dance Prodigy Improv Dance Off

Any participating dancer is able to sign up for the Improv Dance Off! Before the specified awards ceremony, we will kick things off with this fun competition. ALL ages, ALL levels can compete in this high energy, low stress, fun for everyone Dance Off! It’s perfect for the dancer who wants some extra stage time. The winner will walk away with a cash prize and gift certificate.

Register at the the merchandise table for $10. 

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AWARDS:

Special awards will be given out, including but not limited to:

-Choreography, Costume, Judges Choice 1,2,3, Director’s Choice, Entertainment, and The Dance Prodigy Award

-Top awards will be given in the Petite, Junior, Teen, Senior, and Adult Age Divisions.

-Every dancer is recognized with an award.

-A soloist and/or solo title contestant may place only once in the top solo awards.

-Each judge can award a routine up to 100 points. All three judges scores will be combined to create the final score.

Elite Level Scoring:

Double Platinum: 288-300

Platinum: 273-287.9

High Gold: 258-272.9

Gold: 243-257.9

High Silver: 228-242.9

Silver: 213-227.9

Intermediate Level Scoring:

Double Platinum: 285-300

Platinum: 270-284.9

High Gold: 255-269.9

Gold: 240-254.9

High Silver: 225-239.9

Silver: 210-224.9

Novice Level Scoring:

Double Platinum: 282-300

Platinum: 267-281.9

High Gold: 252-266.9

Gold: 237-251.9

High Silver: 222-236.9

Silver: 207-221.9

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MUSIC:

NEW – All music will be digitally uploaded on the registration page. 

Music must be uploaded 2 weeks prior to the event.

-DPC is not responsible for unedited music. Please have music cued and edited for a professional quality performance.

-Please adhere to the time limits listed. There will be a 10-point deduction for non-compliance.

-Teachers must use professional judgment with music selection. Music containing lyrics of an explicit or sexual nature is prohibited, and the entry will be disqualified. This also includes choreography that is deemed age-inappropriate. Depending on the degree of inappropriateness, DPC and the judges will either deduct points or disqualify the routine. DPC has a low-tolerance policy for distasteful performances.

-It is the responsibility of the studio to obtain music copyright fees with appropriate organizations, such as ASCAP and BMI.

-Scoring sheets/comments CDs must be picked up at the event during designated times. DPC is not responsible for mailing score sheets/CDs.  They will be available for pick up at the judges table immediately following awards.

PHOTOS AND VIDEO:

Video and photography of dances (without flash) is allowed of your own dances, so long as your studio directors allow you to video their choreography & you do not block the view of others. Enjoy taking all the videos and dances of your own dances that you would like. We will also post high quality videos and pictures on our Facebook and Instagram in real time throughout the event.

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GENERAL RULES AND INFORMATION:

-Please remember dance is a SUBJECTIVE ART FORM.  Our Judges are highly qualified in their fields.  Scores are based on a point system but being a subjective art for scores are also based on or influenced by personal opinion, taste or feelings.

-All contestants must conduct themselves in a professional manner. Any unsportsmanlike conduct will result in disqualification.

-In the event that the competition is ahead of schedule or re-ordering has occurred, competing dancers must be ready to perform 1 hour prior to scheduled time. Contestant must perform on his/her designated day and in the order stated in the program unless officials of DPC change the line-up.

-Under no circumstances will a performer be allowed to re-perform any number unless the number has been interrupted by a technical error on the part of DPC, and electrical failure, or any extenuating circumstance on the part of DPC solely, that heretofore is unforeseen. Conditions of a stage are not the responsibility of DPC and will not be considered in the re-performance of any entry.

-LIABILITY: DPC, its staff, its sponsors, or the site of the competition will not be held responsible for any accident or injury that may occur to anyone participating or attending this event. DPC cannot be held responsible for unforeseen flaws in theater stages that may inadvertently lend to the causing of an accident. Persons entering the competition and/or participating as a spectator or in any other aspect MUST assume the responsibility for any unforeseen injury. It is the responsibility of the dance teacher and/or person in charge of a participating group to educate all entrants their parents and attendees on the rules and policies of DPC.

-Prior to the competition schedules will be emailed to directors and also available on-line. Schedules will be available no later than one week prior to event.

-Upon entering and competing in DPC, all teachers/dancers give permission and consent to DPC to use any photographs or video/film taken for promotional advertising or any other commercial use.

-Personal videotaping and photography is permitted during your dancers performance only.  You may record or photograph from your seat, not disturbing the performers or other audience members.   You are not permitted to video or photography dances from other studios. DPC will also provide free professional photographs of the entire competition.  The photo link will be posted on the DPC website and facebook page.

-A soloist may perform in more than one routine in a category, as long as the routines are in different dance genres. Upon entering, dancers are eligible to compete for various prizes and professional opportunities.

-All props are allowed except for the following: Swords, knives, or any other sharp objects (unless plastic- but must be approved prior to performance); Fire in any form (candles, torches, etc.); Fog or smoke; Helium balloons; Special lighting.

-One minute will be allowed in addition to maximum time for set up and strike of props. Dances requiring more time will need to purchase an extension to avoid penalties. Non-compliance will result in a deduction of 10 points. Entry is responsible for any necessary cleanup involving prop usage after each performance. Any props that require assembly with nails or screws need to ne completed ahead of time. There can be absolutely NO sharp objects such as nails or screws allowed loose in the performance areas at any time.

-All entries must be available to dance any date or time during the competition hours. Special request for each entry may ne submitted in the comment field of the online registration form by the competition deadline. Requested changes are subject to adjudication awards only. Request cannot be guaranteed.