Rules & Regulations
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Elite Talent Competition Rules and Regulations
CHECK IN
A studio representative should check in at the merchandise table to receive their welcoming packet and schedule.
AGE DIVISIONS
An average age of an entry is reached by adding the ages of the contestants and dividing by the number of contestants in the routine. If the average age ends in .5 or above, round to the next age.
*MINI ELITES Ages 4-6 Ages 7-8
*PETITE ELITES Ages 9-10 Ages 11-12
*JUNIOR ELITES Ages 13-14 Ages 15-16
*SENIOR ELITES Ages 17-18 Ages 19-20
*ADULT ELITES Ages 21 & Up
All ages must be as of the date of the competition and must appear on the registration form for each dancer. Studio owners must be prepared to provide birth certificates if a dancers age is questioned. Failure to provide the birth certificate when asked, may result in disqualification. All protests must be made in writing within 30 minutes of the routine to the competition directors.
DIVISIONS AND TIME LIMITS
*Solo 3 minute time limit
*Duo/Trio 3 minute time limit
*Small Group (4-8 dancers) 3 minute time limit
*Large Group (9-16 dancers) 3 minute time limit
*Line (17-24 dancers) 4 minute time limit
*Production (25+ dancers) 6 minute time limit
TALENT CATEGORIES DEFINED
Ballet: Routine consisting of classical ballet movement and technique, primarily using classical steps and movement.
Tap: Routine consisting of rhythmic sounds using tap shoes. No pre-recorded tap sounds are allowed on music.
Jazz: Routine consisting of primarily jazz technique using kicks, leaps, jumps, flexibility and isolations. No gymnastics/acrobatic tricks allowed.
Lyrical: Routine where dancers interpret the lyrics of a song and demonstrate balance, extensions, isolations and control. No gymnastics/acrobatic tricks allowed.
Contemporary: Interpretive and inventive routine combining lyrical, modern and jazz technique. Gymnastics/acrobatic tricks are allowed.
Modern: Routine combining theatrical dance with stylized and abstract movements. Gymnastics/acrobatic tricks are allowed.
Musical Theater: Routine choreographed to a song from a Broadway or movie musical, portraying the feelings of the song or character.
Acrobatic Dance: Routine containing acrobatic and gymnastic moves. Choreography must combine dance technique to the rhythm of the music. Gym mats and equipment must be set up and provided by studios.
Pointe: Routine containing classical pointe technique. No gymnastics/acrobatic tricks allowed.
Hip Hop/Funk/Break Dance: Routine consisting of a stylized and refined form of street dancing and break dancing using carefully selected music for movement. Choreography emphasizes the isolation and independent control of body parts. Music should be screened for inappropriate lyrics.
Song & Dance: Routine consisting of dance and singing. Music may only have back up voices.
Open: Routine consisting of more than one style of dance or that does not fit into any other category.
Photogenic: Only 8X10 or 5X7 color or black and white photos are accepted. Photos must be sent in with registration forms. «Performers are responsible for clearing feathers, streamers, etc. from the stage area after each routine.«Fire, swords and knives are prohibited during any performance.
SCORING SYSTEM
Every routine will be critiqued according to the dancer's age and ability in either the recreational or competitive level by a panel of 3 judges, each one using a 100 point scale. Each judge will consider Showmanship/Stage Presence, Technique,/Execution, Choreography, Music Synchronization and Costume.«Tapes, music and score sheets will be provided to studio directors/owners at the end of the competition.«Scores and comments reflect the opinion of the judges. All judges' decisions are final.«Each soloist, duet/trio, and group will receive an Elite Platinum, Platinum, Elite Gold, Gold, Elite Silver, Silver, Elite Bronze, or Bronze Award.
Elite Platinum (300.0 – 290)
Platinum (289.9 – 275)
Elite Gold (274.9 – 260)
Gold (259.9 – 245)
Elite Silver (244.9 – 230)
Silver (229.9 – 215)
Elite Bronze (214.9 – 200)
Bronze (199 & under)
«All members of a solo, duo/trio are invited to accept the awards. Please select one individual to accept the award on behalf of the group. All members of the group are invited to accept title awards and overall top score awards. All awards are final.
«Each dancer will be given a trophy in the solo and duo/trio category. Only one trophy will be given for each group routine and ribbons are awarded to each participant in the routine.
«Special awards are given to certain routines that portray a special quality about them such as Best Costume, Best Choreography, Most Entertaining, to name a few.
«Special awards will be given during each awards ceremony.
«A 10 point deduction will be made for all routines that are not completed.
VIDEO TAPING AND PHOTOGRAPHY
In order to protect studio owners’ choreography, videotaping, photography with or without a flash, movie cameras and cell phone cameras are strictly prohibited and can result in disqualification of studio routines, as well as confiscation of cameras, or video tapes.
Professional photographers and videographers will be at the competition taking pictures and video for purchase.
DAY & TIME SCHEDULE
An exact schedule with dates and times will be posted on our website 5 days before the competition start date. It is suggested that contestants block all of the days the competition is scheduled for to ensure your participation in the event. In order to run on time, changes cannot be accommodated once the schedule has been posted, unless it is necessary for quick costume changes. These changes must be approved by the competition director.
PAYMENTS
ETC will accept either cash, studio checks, bank checks or money orders. There is a $35 charge for any returned checks
Please make checks payable to Elite Talent Competition and mail payment along with registration forms and completed dance roster to: Elite Talent Competition - P.O. Box 764 - Cranford, NJ 07016
All forms and payments must be received at least 30 days prior to the competition. In order for the programs to be printed and trophies ordered the deadlines must be strictly adhered to. Entries will be taken on a first-come first-serve basis. Please register early to avoid disappointment. Late entries will be accepted only if time permits.
ROUTINE MUSIC
All routines should be on a separate CD. Duplicates and back-ups are recommended. Each CD must be labeled with the routine name and studio name. Upon arrival, please provide the host all music (at least 5 numbers prior to your routine). Failure to adhere the above can result in a 2 point deduction per judge.
COMPETITION ETIQUETTE
*No smoking or drinking throughout the competition area (including dressing rooms).
*Teachers, parents and students will act respectfully when routines are on stage.
*All routines must be suitable for family viewing in theme, costume, lyrics and choreography.
*In appropriate behavior from parents, teachers and/or dancers can result in disqualification from the competition and ejection from the building.
MISCELLANEOUS RULES
Ø No coaching while the routine is performing.
Ø Teachers have made their students and parents aware of the rules and regulations for ETC.
Ø No refunds after the deadline date.
Ø Elite Talent Competition reserves the right to cancel the competition in the event of insufficient entries, and therefore will refund all entry fees to studio owners/directors.
Ø Parents, teachers and dancers give ETC permission to use their photographs and videos in advertising and for promotional purposes in connection with this and any future ETC event.
WAIVER & PHOTO RELEASE: Any contestant competing in a dance competition takes certain risks, such as, but not limited to, sprains, bruises, broken bones, etc…By reading these rules and regulations dance studio owners, directors, parents and their children understand such risks and do not hold the directors, owners, employees, staff, officers, officials, or any Elite Talent Competition related person responsible for any injuries, illnesses or damages sustained while participating in any activity related to an Elite Talent Competition event.
Parents, contestants, studio directors, owners and teachers give their permission and consent to Elite Talent Competition to use photos, images, videos and to appear in any Elite Talent Competition advertising, promotional items, media, news coverage, television, etc. Please call us at 908-419-1154 or email us at info@elitetalentcompetiton.com if you have any questions or concerns.
