Competition Rules
Registration will be accepted on a first come basis with limits to the time available. Register early to avoid event closure. Entries must be entered by dance studios and independent entries must be entered by dance studios. Payment must be received in full to complete registration and will not be accepted less than 30 days prior to the event, including music uploads. No routines will be allowed to register less than 30 days prior to the event, unless the event is not sold out. Any changes made 7 days or less before the event will incur a $10.00 fee per request. Payment is non-refundable and or transferrable. A $10 non-refundable deposit, per routine is required to reserve/register an entry. This deposit will be applied to the balance for registration. Deposits are non-transferrable to other events. Registration fees become non-refundable 30 days prior to the event, except in the case of an illness or injury with a written doctors’ excuse.
ENTRIES
Solo
Solo Title
Duet/Trio
Small Group - 4 to 9 performers
Large Group 10 to 19 performers
Line - 20 or more performers
Production - 20 or more performers
COMPETITION LEVELS
Novice- Beginner dancers who take classes less than three hours per week with little to no competition experience.
Intermediate - Intermediate/Advanced dancers who take classes three to five hours per week with limited competition experience.
Competitive - Advanced dancers who take classes five and over hours per week with competition experience. Must be registered at an advanced competitive level for all routines. In order to place for Highest Overall Scores the routine must be entered in the Competitive level.
Ovation- Dancers with special needs or disabilities.
Routines can be moved to a higher level at any time by judges or competition staff.
AGE DIVISIONS
Entry ages are as of January 1st
Duet/Trio & Groups ages are an average as of January 1st, all decimals will drop and round down.
Mini Petite: 6 years & under
Petite: 7 - 8 years
Junior: 9 - 10 years
Pre Teen: 11 - 12 years
Teen: 13-14 years
Senior: 15 - 19 years
Professional: 20 years & older
If competing more than 5 dances the dancer is automatically bumped to Competitive level.
SCORING GUIDE
Standing Ovation 300 - 297
Elite Platinum 296.9 - 290
Double Platinum 289.9 - 284
Platinum 283.9 - 277
High Gold 276.9 & Below
POINT DEDUCTIONS
Any routines with suggestive movement, vulgar lyrics, or costuming not appropriate for family audiences will have point deductions or will be disqualified from the event. Routines over time limits will be subject to fee.
DANCE CATEGORIES
Acro Dance - Consists of tumbling/acrobatic and dance technique. Must be mostly tumbling/acrobatic skills. Unlimited acrobatic tricks are allowed in this category.
Ballet - Consists of Ballet technique. No pointe shoes or tumbling/acrobatic tricks allowed.
Baton - Consists of Baton technique. Unlimited acrobatic tricks are allowed in this category.
Character - Consists of dance portraying a person or character name. Unlimited acrobatic tricks allowed.
Clogging - Consists of Clogging technique. No more than three tumbling/acrobatic tricks allowed.
Contemporary - Consists of Lyrical, Modern, Performance technique. Unlimited acrobatic tricks are allowed in this category.
Folkloric - Consists of Ethnic dancing/technique. Unlimited acrobatic tricks are allowed in this category.
Hip Hop - Consists of Hip Hop technique. Note any inappropriate lyrics will earn point deductions or disqualification from the competition. Unlimited acrobatic tricks are allowed in this category.
Jazz - Consists of Jazz technique. Unlimited acrobatic tricks are allowed in this category.
Jazz Funk - Consists of Jazz Funk technique. Unlimited acrobatic tricks are allowed in this category.
Modern - Consists of Modern technique. Unlimited acrobatic tricks are allowed in this category.
Lyrical - Consists of Ballet and Jazz technique. No more than three tumbling/acrobatic tricks allowed.
Musical Theater - Any style of dance that interprets a song from a Broadway show , theater, or movie musical. Unlimited acrobatic tricks are allowed in this category.
Open - Consists of any category. Unlimited acrobatic tricks are allowed in this category.
Photogenic - Consists of a professional headshot, bring 8 x10 to competition for submission
Photogenic Action - Consists of action shot, bring 8x 10 to competition for submission
Pointe - Consists of Ballet technique. Pointe shoes must be worn. No tumbling/acrobatic tricks allowed.
Pom Pon - Consists of Pom Pon technique. Unlimited acrobatic tricks are allowed in this category.
Production - Consists of 20 or more dancers in any style of dance telling a story or theme. Maximum time limit of 8 minutes.
Song & Dance - Consists of singing and dancing. No pre recorded voices. There will be no special microphones or equipment brought by the performer or studio. Wireless microphone will be provided.
Tap - Consists of Tap technique. No more than three tumbling/acrobatic tricks allowed.
ENTRY LIMITATIONS
Registered dance studios must submit all entries. Independent entries will not be accepted.
To ensure dancer safety no fire, knives, or swords are allowed. No items are allowed that would affect the dance flooring, such as liquid, paint, glitter, etc. Props must be set up quickly within an appropriate time frame, recommended 5 minute maximum. Props must be prepared and set-up, and removed quickly. Any excessive time used to set up props will result in point deduction exceeding 5 minutes.
TIME LIMITS
Solo & Duet/Trio - 3:00 minutes
Groups - 3:00 minutes
Large Group - 4:00 minutes
Lines - 5:00 minutes
Production - 8:00 minutes
Additional time can be purchased.
SOLO TITLE
Solo Title will be entered with a paid additional fee. All title entries will give an on stage introduction, answer an interview question, perform a 4 - 8 count improvisation.
Solo Title Levels - Novice Title, Intermediate Title & Competitive Title per age division
STANDOUT DANCE CHALLENGE
Dancers will be given a short dance combination to perform as a real experience audition. Dancers will be given a number and audition in small groups on stage while judges select the top audition winner. Entry fee is $20 paid in cash at the registration table.
ADDITIONAL RULES AND REGULATIONS
Dancers will remain as entered competition level throughout entries.
All routines performed at any regional are qualified to Standing Ovation’s National Finals.
All routines are expected to perform in show list order. In case of a scheduling issue a routine must compete prior to the end of the scheduled award ceremony for placement of overalls. If routine can’t be performed within the award ceremony session then judge adjudication and critique will be offered, with no overall awarding.
No photography or videography will be allowed during performances or could result in disqualification of routine or removal of the event.
Routines are subject to move levels by staff and judges.
Any routine changes/edits made 7 days before an event will be charged a $5.00 fee for each edit.
All scores are final and will not be challenged. All events are adjudicated by professional teachers and judges.
All music must be uploaded online through Dance Bug when entries are registered. It is the studio’s responsibility to review all uploaded music and confirm entries are correct. Bring a backup copy incase of any issues that may arise on a cell phone or flash drive.