Misty’s Dance Galley
Competition Team 101
Dance competitions can be a wild ride for newcomers. So many sequins, so much hairspray and people everywhere! Then there's awards - - what the what is going on there?! Read on to prep yourself for what's to come.
Competition Schedules
We receive competition schedules at least 5 days prior to the first day of competition. You will receive the competition schedule as soon as we receive it.
These schedules vary greatly and it's difficult to predict when our students will perform. Please keep the entire weekend on hold until we have schedule in hand.
Call Time
Your "call time" (or arrival time) is typically 1 1/2 hours prior to your scheduled performance.
However, if you are dancing first thing in the morning or first thing on a Friday afternoon, it's likely the doors to the venue won't be open 1 1/12 hours in advance. In these instances, we will give you a call time closer to your performance time. We really do use all this time to get the dancers ready to go on stage.
It's also common for a competition to run ahead of schedule so we need to be ready to to hit that stage. You should arrive at the venue with hair and make-up done wearing your dance team jacket OR a piece of MDG merch
What to Bring
We do provide a list of costume, tights, shoes, and hair prior to any event. You will need to bring your own hair supplies and makeup. But, no worry if you forgot something. We are a team and if you ask someone, I can bet you they will let you borrow something. It can be helpful to bring your own make-up mirror. Dream Duffles are also a popular device for carting around everything you will need. In the event that the dressing room happens to be a gymnasium, you may find it nice to have a camping chair with you. In many venues we can bring in food and drinks. However, some venues have strict policies against this. We'll let you know what type of venue we are going into. Also, if there is a lot of space in-between your child’s numbers, i would suggest packing a blanket and a pillow. Most competition keep the theatre colder for the dancers who are performing on stage. It also works if they need a nap!
Rules & Etiquette
Please share these rules/etiquette reminders with all members of your party who plan to attend competitions. In certain instances our studio and dancers can be penalized by the competition if anyone from our studio violates these rules.
* No Photos/Videotaping: Most competitions prohibit all spectators from taking any photos or videos of routines performing on stage. There are a variety of reasons for this, but the primary goal in the end is the dancers and choreographers safety. Please do not sit in the audience and record/photography any routines (not even our routines!) as you will likely be asked by competition staff to leave the venue and our students may be penalized.
Additionally please refrain from taking photos or video in dressing rooms. It's highly likely someone will photobomb your shot while changing in and out of costumes and you'll have photos with undesirable contents.
* Entering/Exiting the Venue: Do not walk through the auditorium while a dance is performing on stage. It is incredibly rude and distracting to everyone trying to watch. Please don't be that person. We move in and out seats in between dances and during judges breaks or awards.
* Be respectful to ALL dancers/dances: Please watch you words when it comes to talking about dancers on our team or other dance that are on stage. When it comes to the team, If you say some rude about you teammates, it will ALWAYS get back to them. So just be kind and only encourage our dancers to better themselves. As for other routines, you never know who from that studio is around you and could’ve heard what you said. Wise words- If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say it at all.
* Dressing Rooms: Dressing rooms are for dancers and whoever is assisting them in changing costumes. Dancers change in the dressing rooms and often have minimal coverage on. Competitions are very good about marking girls and boys rooms and have started adding additional spaces to accommodate other family situations. In short, dressing rooms are not for extended family and in most cases, it's a same-sex only space.
* Outside Food & Drinks: Most of the competitions we attend will allow food and drinks into the building, just not into the theatre. If anything changes, we will inform you.
Dance Competition Categories
Prestige National Talent Competition
HIP HOP- Routine consisting primarily of Hip Hop Technique. The judges will score music containing inappropriate lyrics lower.
MUSICAL THEATER- Routine featuring any style of dance that interprets a song from a Broadway show or movie musical.
JAZZ- Routine must consist of primarily jazz technique.
TAP- Routine must contain tap technique and primarily tap work. It is preferred that tap sounds not be prerecorded in music.
BALLET- Routine must consist of ballet technique. Must include classical steps and movements. No pointe shoes allowed.
POINTE- Routine must consist of pointe/toe technique.
LYRICAL- Routine should demonstrate balance, extension, isolations and control utilizing the lyrics or mood of the music.
ACROBATIC DANCE- A routine using controlled acrobatic moves such as walkovers, limbers, handstands, chest rolls, etc. may contain gymnastic passes. The majority of an acrobatic routine must be acrobatic moves, otherwise, the routine will be scored lower by the judges. Acrobatic Dance may contain flexibility moves or contortionist moves, however, it must contain dance moves, steps, and choreography.
BATON- A routine using baton(s) and baton technique. Baton routines will be judged on technique, steps, and choreography.
POM PON- A routine incorporating the use of pom pons. Pom Pon routines must use precise and definite movement.
FOLKLORIC- A routine using ethnic style of dance, such as Spanish, Hawaiian, polkas, etc.
OPEN- Any of our listed categories or combinations of listed category styles.
CONTEMPORARY- Routine should utilize contemporary style to show extension and balance. You can combine lyrical, modern and concert style techniques.
PRODUCTION- A routine utilizing a group of at least 10 dancers incorporating any style(s) of dance or acrobatic.
TEACHER/ADULT- Persons 20 years of age or over who are teachers, assistant teachers, professional dancers, or persons who have ever been teachers, assistant teachers, or professional dancers must compete in Teachers Categories. Teacher's Solos, Duet/Trio, and Groups can compete in all types of dance listed above.
Dance Out Competition
azz: routine consisting of jazz technique.
Ballet: routine consisting of classical ballet technique.
Pointe: routine demonstrating classical Ballet and Pointe techniques. (Pointe Shoes Only)
Lyrical: routine interpreting the lyrics mood and feeling of the music, combining the techniques of jazz, ballet, and modern.
Tap: routine consisting of tap technique.
Modern: interpreting dance routine using modern dance technique and choreography.
Open: routine consisting of any dance style or combination of styles.
Contemporary: routine consisting of any dance style or combination of ballet, hip hop, modern or lyrical.
Hip Hop: routine containing street and funk movements.
Character/Musical Theatre: routine portraying a character (s) or interpreting Broadway and theatre-type dance.
Folkloric: Ethnic styles including Hawaiian, African, Spanish, Polkas, Middle Eastern, Irish, Clogging, etc.
Acro Dance: routine consisting of 50% acrobatic moves and 50% dance.
Pom Pom: routine consisting of pom-pom techniques.
T/S (Teachers and Students): dance instructors or choreographers performing with students.
Pro-Am: Any teacher or professional dancer may perform in this category. A Pro-Am receives payment for their choreography, performance, and/or instruction. But not student teachers ages 18 years or less. All dance styles are permitted and may be performed by a solo, duo/trio, group, or line and may include students. Teachers or professionals are not allowed to dance in the regular categories, except in Adult Division, wherein one teacher can perform in a Small Group, Large Group, or Line. The Pro-Am entries will be scored separately and not grouped with other Adult Division entries for overall awards.
Grouping
Solo: 1 Dancer
Duos: 2 Dancers
Trios: 3 Dancers
Small groups: 4-8 dancers
Large groups: 9-17 dancers
Lines/Productions: 18+ dancers
Age Categories
Prestige National Talent Competition
Mini: 8 years & under
Junior: 9-11 years
Teen: 12-14 years
Senior: 15-19 years
Adult: 20 years and over
Dance Out Competition
Mini Petite- Ages 6 and under
Petite- Ages 7-8
Junior- Ages 9-10
Pre-Teen- Ages 11-12
Teen- Ages 13-14
Senior- Ages 15-18
Adult- Ages 19+
Ages are averaged and the basic math behind calculating the average is always the same.
However, there are 2 factors in play here. First, birthday cut-off date.
Both Dance Out and Prestige cut off at January 1 - how old are you January 1? That's your age for that competition, regardless if you have a birthday between Jan 1 and the first day of the competition.
For reference, most competitions calculate the age for studios. We submit birthdays and they assign the age bracket. You may notice age brackets switch during the season.
Experience Level
Prestige National Talent Competition
NOVICE LEVEL- Novice level is for the true beginner. These dancers are working on understanding dance fundamentals, building a strong foundation, their body lines, and how to execute dance movements correctly.
Examples of Novice Level Technique:
Single pirouettes
Three step turns
Chassés
Grapevines
Grand jetés
1-2 years of studio training
Less than 3 hours in the studio each week
Dancers can only be considered Novice for a maximum of three (3) years.
Novice entries are eligible for Silver, Gold and Platinum adjudications. Not eligible for PNT Cash Awards or Double Platinum adjudications.
INTERMEDIATE LEVEL- A true step above the beginner level. These dancers are on the rise, showcasing developing skills as they continue to work to the advanced level. These dancers should have competiton experience and should understand the basics of beginning advanced skills.
Examples of Intermediate level Technique:
Beginner technique plus
Solid single pirouettes
Double pirouettes
Short sequences of multiple turns
Basic side and front jetés
3-4 years of studio training
4-5 hours in the studio each week
Intermediate entries are eligible for Silver, Gold, and Platinum adjudications. Not eligible for PNT Cash Awards or Double Platinum adjudications.
ADVANCED LEVEL- Advanced (Prestige) level is for top-level competitive dancers who truly possess advanced technical skills and artistry.
Examples of Advanced Level Technique:
Solid double and triple pirouettes
Multi-directional fouettés and á la second turns.
Turning jumps and leaps
Intricate turning sequences
Strong body lines and extensions
5+ years of studio training
6+ hours in the studio each week
Advanced entries are eligible for Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Double Platinum adjudications. Only dancers at the Prestige Advanced level are eligible for PNT Cash Awards.
Dance Out Competition
Intro Level: No Competitive Division dancers are permitted in the Intro Level Division. This division is for recreational dancers and/or new competitors who meet at least two (3) of these criteria:
Train 2 hours a week or less (this includes all class and rehearsal time);
Have had a total of 2 years or less of dance training in any one style or combination of dance forms
First-year competitors. Solos and duos/trios must be 100% Intro
For groups and lines, 100% of the dancers must be Intro.
À la seconds are not allowed in the Intro Level
Triple Pirouettes are not allowed in the Intro Level
INTERMEDIATE LEVEL: This division is for recreational dancers ages 11 & under and 12 & above who currently train and have trained 5 hours or less per week over the past three years (All dancers in any group size must meet these criteria by 100%.) Dancers may dance up a level for groups only.
ELITE LEVEL: This division is for the competitive dancer possessing more advanced skill sets based on age.
SPLIT LEVEL: This level is for Small and Large groups and is designed for routines combining Elite and Intermediate dancers. If you combine Intro and Intermediate levels, then the level of 60% of your dancers determines the level. For example, if 60% of your dancers are intermediate, your level would be intermediate.
STAND-OUT LEVEL: This division is for students with disabilities and special needs who want a chance to shine. Performance times will be close to an awards ceremony. The age levels and categories will be the same as other levels. They can enter solos, duo/trios, and group routines.
Ultimately it's up for the teachers to make the final call on what level at which to place their students.
Divisions
Division = number of dancers in routine +
age bracket + experience level
A Division will include dances of ALL styles. An example of a division is "Pre-Teen, Large Group, Split Level" - this is the Division our Company group routines are usually a part of. We count the number of dances in each of our Divisions as soon as we have a program.
Awards
Adjudications
Every routine in the competition receives a 'placement' award based on their score out of 300 possible points (3 judges each with 100 points).
Each competition has different names for these Adjudication awards and awards are more or less subjective - there are no rigidly defined guidelines like you see in gymnastics or ice skating.
Prestige National Talent Competition
Silver- 0-239.9
Gold- 240-269.9
Platinum- 270-284.9
Double Platinum- 285-300 (ADVANCED LEVEL ONLY)
Dance Out Competition
STAND OUT:
Platinum: 0-300
INTRO:
Double Platinum: 269-300
Platinum: 250-268.99
Gold: 100- 249.99
INTERMEDIATE:
Double Platinum: 275-300
Platinum: 255- 274.99
Gold: 100- 254.99
SPLIT LEVEL
Double Platinum: 280-300
Platinum: 265-279.99
Gold: 100-264.99
ELITE LEVEL
Double Platinum: 282-300
Platinum: 265- 281.99
Gold: 100- 264.99
Judges’ Awards
These awards are purely judges' discretion and have nothing to do with score. We love special judges awards and always hope to receive one.
Overalls
Competitions announce the top scoring routines for each 'division'. Depending on how many routines are in the division, they will announce up to 10th place. Overalls are always the goal. You want to place in the Overalls. But if you don’t, it’s not the end of world!