categories & eligibility

AGE DIVISIONS

TINY - 5 Years & Under

PETITE - 6-8 Years

JUNIOR - 9-11 Years

TEEN - 12-14 Years

SENIOR - 15-18 Years

ADULT - 19+ Years

NOTE: Productions will compete in the same division, regardless of average age

COMPETITIVE DIVISIONS

NOVICE - This division includes dancers competing on stage for the first time. This does not include dancers competing a new style for the first time (i.e., a dancer competing an acrobatics solo for the first time cannot be entered under Novice if they have previously competed a solo in another style). Solos, duos, and trios must be made up of 100% novice dancers to compete in the Novice division. Groups and lines must be 75% novice dancers to compete in the Novice division.

PRE-COMPETITIVE - This division includes dancers with less than 6 total hours of training and rehearsal time each week. These dancers cannot exceed 8 routines entered into the competition. Solos, duos, and trios must be made up of 100% pre-competitive dancers to compete in the Pre-Competitive division. Groups and lines must be 75% pre-competitive dancers to compete in the Pre-Competitive division. Placement in this category is based on the discretion of participating studios. Dancers exceeding 8 routines will be moved into the Elite division.

ELITE - This division includes dancers with greater than 6 total hours of training and rehearsal time each week. There is no minimum or maximum amount of routines required to compete in the Elite division.

PROFESSIONAL - Dancers 19 years or older who are paid to teach or perform are not permitted to compete and will not be eligible for Overall Awards.

time limits

DISCIPLINES

JAZZ - A routine consisting of jazz technique. A maximum of three acrobatic tricks are permitted where feet pass over head.

TAP - A routine consisting of tap technique. The use of pre-recorded tap sounds is not permitted. Acrobatic tricks are not permitted in this discipline.

BALLET - A routine consisting of classical ballet or character ballet technique performed on demi-pointe. Acrobatic tricks are not permitted in this discipline.

POINTE - A routine consisting of classical ballet technique, performed with pointe shoes. Acrobatic tricks are not permitted in this discipline.

LYRICAL - A routine consisting of a lyrical style with a theme or story projecting through movement. A maximum of three acrobatic tricks are permitted where feet pass over head.

MODERN - Choreography based on interpretation of the music with modern technique. A maximum of three acrobatic tricks are permitted where feet pass over head.

CONTEMPORARY - A routine that is a combination of strong ballet fundamentals with modern techniques, often with a story or theme to project through selected music. A maximum of three acrobatic tricks are permitted where feet pass over head.

MUSICAL THEATRE - A routine containing characterization through lip-synching, acting, and choreography.

SONG AND DANCE - A routine containing characterization through singing, acting, and dancing. Microphones may be used, but must be supplied by the participating studio.

ACROBATIC - A routine incorporating dance movements with acrobatic tricks using control, flexibility, and strength variations.

HIP HOP - A routine containing hip-hop style, street dancing, break-dancing, etc.

OPEN - A routine that does not fit into any of the categories above. A maximum of five acrobatic tricks are permitted where feet pass over head. This is not a category for second routines of the same discipline.

RULES & REGULATIONS

REGISTRATION & ENTRIES

Entries will be accepted through our online registration system.
Entries are on a first come, first served basis. All entries and payments are due prior to the event start date. Deadlines will be sent to Studio Owners. Any entries or payments submitted after the deadline dates are subject to a 10% late fee.

SCHEDULING

A preliminary schedule will be sent to participating studios a minimum of 8 weeks prior to the event. Any requests for changes to the schedule must be submitted within the timeframe provided. A final schedule will follow shortly thereafter with all necessary adjustments. We encourage you to please review your tentative schedule carefully and send in any conflicts or changes as soon as possible.
Changes requested after the final schedule has been sent cannot be guaranteed.
Standout Dance Challenge reserves the right to run the competition up to one hour ahead of a dancer's scheduled performance time. All performers must be ready to perform one hour prior to their scheduled performance time.
Dancers cannot compete in the same category more than once. If needed, the decision to bump a routine up into the next age category can be made by the Studio Director.

DIVISIONS & ENTRIES

Independent entries are not accepted. Every dancer must have studio representation.
Dancers are to be entered in the age category that applies to them as of December 31st the year prior to the event.
The age divisions of contestants in Duo/Trio and Group categories will be determined by average age. Add all ages of the performers as of December 31st and divide by the number of performers in the group. The birth dates of all performers will be required at the time of registration.
Standout Dance Challenge reserves the right to add/subtract days, move/postpone or cancel the competition due to unforeseen circumstances.

EVENT GUIDELINES

Upon arrival at the competition, a Studio Director package will be available for pick up.
Music must be uploaded to DanceGenie prior to the start of the event. Further instructions will be sent via email prior to the event start date. Studio Directors must have backup copies of all music on hand. Adapters (if needed) must be provided by the teacher as Standout Dance Challenge cannot guarantee compatibility from device to device.
All routines are to report backstage approximately five numbers before they are scheduled to perform. All routines are expected to perform in the order they are scheduled.
In the event that a dancer exits the stage prematurely, they will be given the opportunity to perform again.
For the protection of the dancers and the work of choreographers, videotaping and photography of any performance is not permitted. Photography is only permitted during award ceremonies.
Live streaming of all events will be made available via the Standout Dance Challenge website. Standout Dance Challenge is not responsible for any technical issues that may arise during streaming.
Standout Dance Challenge is a family-friendly event. Any entry displaying suggestive movements, costuming, or musical selections with lyrics inappropriate for the age of the performers or our family audience may have points deducted from their score or risk disqualification
Under no circumstances are Adjudicators to be approached by dancers, parents, Studio Directors, or their staff during the competition.
All decisions made by the Adjudicators and/or Standout Dance Challenge Directors are final.
Judges scores and critiques will be available to the Studio Director online following the event.
All monetary awards will be provided to the Studio Director by e-transfer only following the event.
Standout Dance Challenge is not responsible for losses or damages to personal property while attending one of our events.

Standout Dance Challenge Inc. reserves the right to update rules and regulations as required. It is the responsibility of the studio to uphold all rules and regulations stated below. Failure to comply could result in deductions to your final mark and/ or disqualification.