JULY 28th – August 6th, 2023 ANAHEIM
OVERALL JUDGING CRITERIA
Special emphasis will be placed on the entertainment and marketing value during judging. This in no way takes away from the technical aspect of the performances. Judges are looking for that special charisma and stage presence that top entertainers have… and who is marketable? Keep in mind as important as it is to have your performance technically correct, it is even more important to keep it entertaining. Contestant may only enter a style in a category once. “Open” Categories may be used for second performance of the same style. However we do not recommend performing the same performance more than once.
Dance Floor: Interlocking wood sections or facsimile approximately twenty (20) feet deep by thirty (30) feet wide.
Judging Categories: Stage Presence, Originality of Material, Technique, Style, and Entertainment Value are all considered during the scoring process.
Acrobatic & Gymnastic Moves: Acrobatic moves and tumbling passes are allowed in Acro/Gymnastic and Production numbers. Dance should be incorporated throughout the routine.
Lip Syncs and Vocalizations: Small isolated lip syncs and vocalizations are allowed in all categories. Total song lip syncs should go in Open, and dance with total song vocalizations in the form of singing should go in Song & Dance.
Ballet: a classical and character work performed in ballet shoes or pointe shoes showing ballet technique whether classical, neo-classical or contemporary.
Jazz: a routine where dancers execute free form movement and styling characteristic of jazz dance whether in jazz or character shoes of any kind, half-soles or bare feet.
Tap: a routine where dancers wear tap shoes and execute tap technique.
Clogging/Hoofer: Clogging- a routine where dancers wear clogging shoes and execute clogging technique including but not limited to rhythmic patterns and formations. Hoofer-Primarily tap technique and work showcasing a “Stomp/Da Funk” feel with heavy accent with more of a flat foot style.
Song & Dance: a routine where contestant(s) sing and dance, with at least 50% being dance.
Acro/Gymnastic: a routine consisting of controlled acrobatic and/or gymnastic movements involving balance and flexibility. Routine must include choreography, dance technique and fluid movement. (Preference – no mats.)
Lyrical: a routine where dancers interpret the lyrics or mood (intent) of a song (with or without words). This form includes the use of legwork, balance, and facial and body emotion.
Ethnic/Folkloric: a routine consisting of dance styles of a particular ethnic group.
Hip Hop/Funk: a routine where the majority of the content is “street wise” jazz or contemporary jazz considered as hip-hop or funk.
Open: a routine combining any forms of dance styles or a routine that does not fit any category listed. Or you want to do the same style twice!
Musical Theater/Character: a routine interpreting a song from a “Broadway” or movie musical, or a routine portraying a character from a play, movie, television show or a stereotype (i.e. doctor, policeman, etc.) through any style of dance.
Ballroom: a routine with partners in the following styles: Tango, Salsa, Freestyle, Swing, Waltz
Production Line/Crew: Minimum of ten (10) participants but all of them do not have to be on the floor at the same time. Dancers of all ages and all styles of dance may be used in the production. Singing, props and costume changes are welcome but must be handled by group and accomplished in the 60 seconds.
Contemporary: The exploration of the total movement potential of the body. It differs from commercial or competitive dance in that it is not bound by set standards, as well as defined styles such as ballet and jazz dance Instead; it seeks to express a personalized vision, often through experimentation and collaboration for the development of new, more individualized approaches to the moving body and choreographic possibilities
Music Rules
All music must be “compact disc.” CDs are required to ensure the quality of the competitions and final show. Each performance must be on a separate CD. Each CD must have a label with contestants (or group’s) name, event, style, and age division. Example: John Doe, Dance, Jazz and 16-17 years. Please bring at least two (2) back-up CDs for each performance. Completed music clearance forms are required. Original music is always encouraged for all styles, categories and competitions in which music is used. All background music should be burned to either a CD-R or CR-RW, in MP3 format ONLY. DO NOT burn CD on DVD, it will not play. You must PURCHASE your music from quality outlets. Pirated online music has poor sound quality with fluctuations in volumes when played on professional sound systems. Every time music is cut and re-recorded it loses quality. Record all CDs from the master and not from copies. If given the option for input/output volumes when recording, record volumes in the middle of the range given. Check purchased music on a CD player not on your computer for an accurate assessment. If when performing music, you must hear the first note to start your performance, let the room coordinator know this when you are in line-up so the volume on the sound system can be raised. Please keep in mind Round I and Round II competition are in audition format. There is only one minute and no sound checks. The judges understand the difference between a performance error and sound issues. No music will be used for the final show performance that is not a quality recording.
Time Limits
The time limit for all performances is sixty (60) seconds. All rounds and the finals are sixty (60) seconds. A 25% deduction will be taken for any performance going over the time limit. Time will begin when the music starts and will stop when the music stops. Remember, you may go under the time limit but not over!
Performance Prompting
Parents, family, friends, agents, hairdressers, dressers, teachers or make-up artist are not allowed behind the stage before or during competitions.