RULES AND AWARDS

AGE DIVISIONS

Adult: 19+

Seniors: 15-18

Teen: 12-14

Junior: 9-11

Peite: 7-8

Mini: 6 and under 

Ages are determined as of January 1st, 2024. We do not round up the average age of a routine. The decimal point is always dropped. 

Age division clarification: 

If a dancer aged 20 or above participates in a routine, regardless of the routine's average age, it must be placed in the 19+ age division. For Duet/Trios or Groups consisting of dancers from different age divisions, they will compete at most one age division lower than the oldest dancer, regardless of the average age. For instance, if a group comprises a senior dancer aged 17 and the group average age is 11 placing them in the junior age category they will automatically be placed in the teen division and a senior dancer may not compete in the junior category.

LEVELS

  • Dancers with little or no competitive experience, dancing 3 hours or less per week (including rehearsal time and all dance categories) and competing in no more than 5 Routines, may enter this Division. A dancer in this level can compete in 1 solo only.

  • Dancers that train around 7 hours or less per week (including rehearsal time and all dance categories) and competing in no more than 9 Routines may enter this Division. A dancer in this level can compete in 2 solos only.

  • Dancers that train 8 hours or more per week (including rehearsal time and all dance categories) should be considered for this Division. Dancers competing in 10 or more routines must be placed in the Advanced Division. A dancer in this level can compete in 3 solos only.

GENERAL CATEGORIES

Productions: 20 or more dancers. Must be at least 4 minutes long. May contain any style or combination of styles.

Productions will compete in their own category if there are at least 2 productions in the same age division and level. If there is only 1 production in an age division and level, it’ll compete with the lines in their age category and level.

Solo: 1 dancer 

Duo/Trio: 2 or 3 dancers

Small Group: 4-9 dancers

Large Group: 10-19 dancers

Line: 20 or more dancers 

STYLES OF DANCE

Ballet: Classical Ballet Technique in Ballet shoes

Pointe: Dancer dancing in pointe shoes

Jazz: Any Jazz Technique Set to Uptempo Music

Tap: Tap Technique Varying from Swing to Stomp

Contemporary: Fusion of Styles with Emphasis on Modern Technique

Lyrical: Fusion of Jazz & Ballet with Emphasis on Mood or Tone

Musical Theater: Any Routine Interpreting a Song from a Musical

Hip Hop: A Hip Hop Technique or a Mix of Commercial Street Styles

Acro-dance: A Mix of Dance Movement or Acrobatic Tricks

Open: Routines with Any Combination of the Above Styles

JUDGING CRITERIA

Dances will be judged on Technique, Choreography, Showmanship, Precision, and Overall Impression. Each event will have four judges and the lowest score will be dropped from the total score. All overall ties will be broken by using the fourth judges score. If there's still a tie at that point it will be broken by the technique score.

SCORING SCALE

GENERAL INFO

Critiques and Score Sheets:

All critiques and score sheets will be made available to studio directors via their online account. All critiques and score sheets will be posted within 24 hours following events end. 

Live Stream: 

Every A-List event will be live streamed. You can locate our live stream link via our website. This is free to all observers. 

Photography and Videography: 

Videotaping and photography are strictly prohibited during the entire event. This is to enforce the children’s safety and privacy, as well as protect the work of choreographers and faculty. Professional photographers and videographers will be documenting every routine. All participating dancers authorize the use of their image in photos and video for A-List publicity and advertisement purposes.

Prop Guidelines: 

NO dangerous props may be used during the competition (swords, fire, etc.). General props are allowed but must be taken on and off the stage in a swift fashion. It is the sole responsibility of each studio to ensure that props are taken on and off stage. It is also the studio's responsibility to ensure that the stage is completely clean and clear after the routine is finished. Props that stand above 10' are not guaranteed to fit on the A-List stage.

PAINT, POWDER, CHALK, ETC:

A-List does not allow the use of paint, powder or chalk.


RULES & REGULATIONS:

  • All competition routines must be entered under a studio name. A-List does not accept entries independently of a studio. This includes solos. 

  • All numbers must appear according to their scheduled sequence unless a A-List Stage Manager grants permission otherwise.

  • Judges may stop a number in progress and request that it be repeated. If A-Lists equipment fails, the studio may choose to continue or to re-do the number. If performers' equipment fails, the performance must continue or be withdrawn.

  • Competing dancers should be ready 1 hour  prior to their scheduled competition time. The Competition may run up to 1 hour early and each dancer will be expected to perform at the earlier time. 

  • A-List reserves the right to change all rules and regulations at any time. All questions that arise are resolved by the discretion of the A-List Director.

  • At A-List, we value loyalty to studios. We do not allow teachers or studio owners to solicit dancers from other studios at any of our events. The first offense will result in a warning. If any additional offenses occur, the studio will not be permitted to attend any future A-List event until further notice.

A media fee will be required for each dancer. This will be 20 dollars per dancer and will include all photos and videos from the weekend. Along with behind the scenes photos that will be taken throughout the weekend and posted on our website and facebook page. There will be a sibling discount of 10 dollars off if a family has multiple dancers competing.

MEDIA FEE

TEACHER PERKS

At A-List we believe all teachers and studio directors should be treated like the legends that they are. Therefore, we do our best to help your weekend go as seamlessly as possible. This includes our teacher lounge at every event. There you will find snacks and refreshments throughout the weekend, along with catered meals including brunch and dinner. We will also provide one complimentary hotel room near the venue for studios bringing 10 or more acts.

AWARDS & CASH PRIZES

  • Every routine will be awarded an adjudication.

  • Special awards chosen by the judges award at each award ceremony.

  • Best in category will be announced when there are at least three routines in the same age and subject category.

  • Overalls will be awarded. All ties broken in overalls using the fourth judges score. If that still results in a tie the technique score will be used to break the tie further. 

  • Top Elite and Top Intermediate Studio will be awarded at each event. This will be calculated by adding up every score from each group routine from a studio in the respective level then averaged out. The highest average score will then win the award. 

  • The Gayle Winnie Sportsmanship award will be awarded to the studio our staff observes being the most kind, respectful, and supportive to not only their own students but other dancers as well throughout the weekend.

CASH PRIZE BREAKDOWN

Cash prizes awarded to first overall in intermediate and advanced categories only | No cash prizes awarded to beginning level 

  • Advanced Soloist: $250 and free entry next year

  • Advanced Duo Trio: $200 and free entry next year

  • Advanced Small Group: $300 and free entry next year

  • Advanced Large Group: $350 and free entry next year

  • Advanced Line/Production: $500 

  • Top Advanced Studio: $1,000

  • Intermediate Solo: $150

  • Intermediate Duo Trio: $100

  • Intermediate Small Group: $200

  • Intermediate Large Group: $250

  • Intermediate Line/Production: $300

  • Top Intermediate Studio: $500 

ENTRY FEES

Entry Fees are outlined on studio accounts only.