Rules & Information

Acrobatic/Dance: Routine using acrobatics and tumbling moves incorporated with the rhythm of the music. Can contain passes and flexibility moves. Must contain 50% dance and 50% acrobatic.

Ballet: Routine must consist of ballet technique. Must include classical steps and movements. No tricks allowed.

Character: Routine portraying an easily recognizable character such as a character from a Broadway show, movie, television, or stereotype. Tricks allowed.

Clogging: Routine Consisting of clogging moves incorporated with the rhythm of the music. Clogging type shoes must be worn. No Tricks allowed.

Hip-Hop: Represents the current trendy style of today’s dance. Must Contain 80% of hip-hop style. Examples: MTV, current videos, street style dance.

Lyrical: Routine demonstrating balance, extension and control performing contemporary/lyrical moves. Dance should tell the story of music.

Musical Theater: Any style or combination of styles of dance with music from any Broadway show, past or present.

Open: Any category or style of dance.

Pom-Pom: Routine incorporating the use of pom-poms demonstrating sharp and concise movements. Tricks allowed.

Song & Dance: Routine must contain singing and any category of dance. Accompaniment must be on tape with no lead vocals on tape.

Vocal: Routine consisting of any type of vocal presentations. Accompaniment must be on tape with no lead vocals on tape. No tricks allowed.

Teachers/Professionals:(Solo, Duet/Trio, & Groups) any performer(s) 20 years or older who is now or has been a teacher, assistant or provides dance or gymnastic expertise for compensation must enter this division. All entries will perform in their appropriate age division, but will be awarded and recognized in the teacher/pro division.

Parent Presentations:(Groups only) This division offers a place for parents and those who participate in dance class for fun or exercise an opportunity to perform with or without their children.

TRICKS

Tricks Allowed:Open, Acrobatic/Dance, Acrobatic/tumbling, Baton, Pom-Pom, Hip-Hop, Character, Lyrical and Production.

Each trick is counted separately (Example: round-off, back hand spring is considered two tricks). A pass is counted as separate tricks and is not considered one trick. If your whole group is doing an acrobatic trick in unison, it will be counted as one trick.

5 Point deduction: for violation of rule regarding tricks
10 point deduction: if over time limit if routine is not entered into extended time.
10 point deduction: if tap sounds are on tape in tap category.
10 point deduction: if lead vocals are on tape in vocal and song & dance.
10 point deduction: for coaching from backstage or audience.
10 point deduction: for inappropriate lyrics. - No profanity or racial slurs.
20 point deduction: for costumes and gestures that are inappropriate for a general audience.
If you are unsure about your costumes and gestures, please call our office for a detailed guideline. If your choreography or lyrics are deemed too suggestive, your routine will be scored down by our judges and/or the director of competition. ALL deductions will be taken.

DEADLINE DATE

Entries must be postmarked 30 days prior to the competition date. Performance time may be limited to time available. If sufficient number of entries has not been received by deadline date, the competition will be cancelled and your money refunded. When entries are received in our office, we will send you a list of your routines. One week prior to competition, you will receive a map, time schedule, and contestant numbers. PLEASE call with changes immediately after receiving your first confirmation.

GENERAL INFORMATION

• Competition could be 1, 2, or 3 days. Contestant must compete on designated day.
• Video and Movie cameras are prohibited. In order to provide protection for the teacher and performers who have worked long and hard on their choreography, video and movie cameras will not be allowed in the auditorium. Teachers please explain this to your parents as this could result in the disqualification of your performance.
• Fire, swords, guns, and knives are prohibited.
• If the stage is littered during performance, please be prepared to clean it up!
• No eating, drinking or smoking in the competition area.
• No Alcoholic beverages.
• You will receive confirmation of your entries being received in our office. Please make any changes at this time and fax or e-mail to our office. One week prior to the competition you will receive final confirmation, a time schedule and directions to the competition.
• Contestants will be ready to perform 1 hour before their scheduled time. This also means Awards could go 1 hour earlier than scheduled time.
• No one will be allowed to perform out of order except for costume changes, which must be verified by the director or stage manager. You will be allowed 10 minutes for costume changes and you should then go to the backstage area. Performers must be ready to perform when their number is called.
• Applause Talent Presentations, Inc. and the host facility are not held responsible for personal injury or property loss to contestants or spectators.
• All teachers and contestants agree that the time, manner and method of judging will be solely within the discretion of the judging panel. Score sheets will be available after awards and will be given only to the teacher.
• Photos, Score sheets, CD's and Cassettes will not be put in the mail. You must pick them up at the competition.
• Your routine must be completed to be eligible for overall awards. Routines not completed will receive a special award. Your routine must be completed to be eligible for overall awards. To be eligible for overall awards you must perform within your award session.
• Photogenic- You must enter the competition in order to enter photogenic. Photos must be brought to and picked up at the competition. Photos will be mailed. All photos must be turned in at the start of the day. Photogenic please only turn in one photo it can be color or black & white.
• Contestants may enter as many categories as they wish but the same contestants cannot compete in the same category and age division.
• Contestants give their permission to Applause Talent Presentations, Inc. to use their photographs or appear on television in connection with any advertising.
• Entries being qualified by video must be sent in with an entry form with category marked.
• Regional qualifiers must enter in the same age group & category at nationals. If all members of your group cannot attend finals, you must enter the descending division. Regional qualifiers entering Nationals must have 75% of members. Any alternates must be the same age.
• No Refunds! Gift Certificates will be issued for future Applause entries in case of illness.
• Applause has the right to change a competition to a one day or to a two or three day competition. Contestant MUST compete on designated day!
• All Gift Certificates and monies will be made out to the Studio.
• National first place Overall winners can not compete the same number at a future Applause regional.
• All ties will be broken by technique score, routine score and stage performance.
• Prop, including mats, are welcomed at our competition. To avoid UN welcomed delays, we ask that you keep setup & removal time to a minimum.
• One wireless mic (no stand) will be provided.
• All tapes or CDs must be turned in backstage and checked at the registration desk for that day. Failure to do so will result in a deduction.
• The same solo contestant cannot place more than once for top cash and Gift Certificate awards in regional or national competitions.
• Any questions regarding routines should be brought to the attention of the show director by teacher or studio director only.
• Movements, music and costuming must be appropriate for a family audience. If a routine or costuming is deemed too suggestive or not age appropriate, deductions could be taken.
• Any qualified routine attending Nationals can bring an additional routine to Nationals.
• National deadline date is 30 days prior to the first day of National.
• Any routine added at competition will not be eligible for overalls.

Our score system is based on 100 points per judge. Routines will receive:

All soloists will receive a trophy, one trophy awarded in Duet/Trio and Groups. Platinum, Gold, Hi Silver, Silver & Bronze are eligible to enter the Nationals. It is possible that numerous Platinum, Gold, Hi Silver, Silver and Bronzes could be presented. Our awards will be announced in ascending order. The same solo contestant cannot place more than once for top cash awards.

SPECIAL AWARDS

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Cash awards will be presented to top overall scores in each entry division. 2nd thru 3rd place will be recognized with special plaques. You must have 3 or more in your division to be eligible for top cash awards.

TOP CASH REGIONAL AWARDS
	PETITE	JUNIOR	TEEN	SENIOR
SOLO RECREATIONAL	$25	$50	$50	$50
GROUP	$25	$50	$50	$50
SOLO	$50	$75	$75	$75
DUET/TRIO	$50	$75	$75	$75
SMALLGROUP	$50	$100	$100	$100
LARGEGROUP	$50	$150	$150	$150
LINE	$75	$200	$200	$200
SOLO VOCAL	$25	$50	$50	$50
GROUP VOCAL	$50	$50	$50	$50

Teacher/Professional:
Solo/Duet/Trio: $50, Groups: $100

PLEASE CALL WITH ANY QUESTIONS!

Phone: 513-844-6788
Fax: 513-844-6840
Email: info@applausetalent.com