RULES
ENTRIES
Entries are received on a first-come-first-served basis. Please enter early to avoid disappointment! Contestants may enter as many categories as they wish, however, they cannot compete against themselves in a solo category.
Your studios entries and full payment must be received on or before the entry deadline. Late entries will be accepted if time permits and charged at the late entry fee price. E transfer are accepted.
AGE
Contestants will compete in the appropriate age (as of March 1, 2025) category. Please use average age when calculating, duo, trio and group entries.
PP Age 6 & under
Petite Age 7 - 8
Mini Age 9 - 10
Junior Age 11 - 12
Teen Age 13 - 14
Senior Age 15 - 16
Advanced Age 17 -19
Teacher/Prof Age 20+
LEVELS
PETITE PERFORMERS: 6 years and under. All petite performer entries will receive a Dance Drive Festival award. Please ensure you check Petite Performer box on entry form. Teacher prompting and cueing is permitted in a manner that doesn’t distract attention away from the dancers. Teachers will be permitted to be on stage and assist with entrances and exits.
PRE COMPETITVE: The pre-competitive level is for dancers who are competing for their 1st or 2nd year and training under 4 hours a week. Dancers training at a recreational level should enter this category. Teacher may use their best judgement when entering at this level.
COMPETITIVE: The Competitive level is for dancers training an average of 4.25 hours per week - 7.75 hours a week.
ELITE: The Elite level is for dancer training an average of 8 hours per week or more.
Substitutions are allowed as long as age level is not affected. No Refunds for missing dancers.
Routines that are obviously under placed may be elevated by the adjudicators.
CATEGORIES
Dancers are permitted to compete with two or more solos of the same genre. However, only their highest scoring solo will be considered for placing and awards.
Solo
Duo/Trio
Small Groups (4-9 dancers)
Large Groups (10-15 dancers)
Lines (16 or more dancers)
Extended Lines (25 or more dancers)
DISCIPLINE
JAZZ
Routine must primarily contain jazz movement and technique.
CLASSICAL BALLET
Routine must contain classical ballet movement and technique. All Routines to be performed in soft shoes.
DEMI CHARACTER BALLET
Routine must contain classical ballet movement and technique, and must portray a recognizable character and or tell a story. All Routines to be performed in soft shoes or character shoes
POINTE
Routines that contain pointe technique, using pointe shoes. Pointe shoes are not allowed in classical ballet or character ballet categories.
LYRICAL
Routine must contain contemporary technique with specific dancer attention given to song lyric.
CONTEMPORARY/INTERPRETIVE
Routine must primarily contain modern technique and execute expression and creativity through the music.
MODERN
A routine consisting of a collection of methods developed from modern and post-modern dance and can take on many forms including dance fusion, emergent dance and revisionism.
TAP
Routine must primarily contain tap technique. Pre-recorded tap sounds on performer’s music selection will not be permitted.
SONG AND DANCE
Routine must contain an equal display of singing and dancing (in any of the above mentioned styles). Judges will mark both disciplines according- ly. No other lead vocals on the back track will be permitted.
HIP HOP
Routine must primarily contain street/hip hop technique and style.
VARIETY
Any routine displaying a combined effort of the above mentioned dance disciplines or other that does not fit the description of the fore mentioned.
MUSICAL THEATRE
A routine consisting of any style of dance, which interprets a song from a Broadway show, movie musical, or song depicting characters. Lip syncing is permitted.
ACRO
A routine combining classical dance technique with acrobatic fundamentals.
PRODUCTION
Any routine using 21 or more dancers with an extended time limit of 10 minutes to be primarily judged on concept, steps, formations and choreography.
OPEN
Open is the perfect category for a creative piece that is undefinable or blends multiple genres of dance. Note: A routine that should be entered in one of the other performance categories cannot be entered into this category. Please do not enter “extra” tap, jazz, lyrical, etc., routines in this category.
All solos, duets and groups, will compete in the above-mentioned disciplines in their specified age groups.
TIME
Timing begins at first movement and ends when last dancer has exited the stage. - A grace period of 5 seconds will be allowed. Solos: 2.5 minutes.
Duos/Trios: 3 minutes
Small Groups (4-9 dancers): 3 minutes
Large Groups (10-15 dancers): 4 minutes
Lines (16 or more dancers): 5 minutes
Extended Lines (25 or more dancers): 6 minutes
Productions: 10 minutes
ADJUDICATION AWARDS
Medal Scoring System
Diamond 96-100
High Platinum 93 - 95.99
Platinum 90 - 92.99
High Gold 87 - 89.99
Gold 84 - 86.99
PLEASE SEE OUR PROGRAM FOR ALL SCHOLARSHIPS & OVERALL AWARDS
GENERAL RULES
Dance Drive Festival Disclaimer
Contestants and teachers by virtue of entering Dance Drive Festival give their permission and consent to the director of Dance Drive Festival to use their images or photo- graphs or appear in videos, television, or any other electronic media for advertising, news coverage or any other commercial use of our events.
Any performer competing in dance competitions takes certain inherent risks. These include, but are not limited to sprains, bruises, pulled muscles, dislocations, and broken bones. Participation in this competition indicates the acceptance of such risks by performers. Therefore by virtue of entering this event, it is agreed that participants will not hold Dance Drive Festival or its employees responsible for injuries sustained while in attendance and/or participating in any activity related to Dance Drive Festival and the hosting facility. Dance Drive Festival will not be held responsible for personal injury to either contestants or spectators. Dance Drive Festival is not responsible for lost or stolen property. Do not leave personal property and valuables unattended in the theater or dressing rooms.
Entries are received on a first-come-first-served basis. Please enter early to avoid disappointment! Contestants may enter as many categories as they wish, however, they cannot compete against themselves in a solo category.
Your studios entries and full payment must be received on or before the entry deadline. Late entries will be accepted if time permits and charged at the late entry fee price. E transfer are accepted.
AGE
Contestants will compete in the appropriate age (as of March 1, 2025) category. Please use average age when calculating, duo, trio and group entries.
PP Age 6 & under
Petite Age 7 - 8
Mini Age 9 - 10
Junior Age 11 - 12
Teen Age 13 - 14
Senior Age 15 - 16
Advanced Age 17 -19
Teacher/Prof Age 20+
LEVELS
PETITE PERFORMERS: 6 years and under. All petite performer entries will receive a Dance Drive Festival award. Please ensure you check Petite Performer box on entry form. Teacher prompting and cueing is permitted in a manner that doesn’t distract attention away from the dancers. Teachers will be permitted to be on stage and assist with entrances and exits.
PRE COMPETITVE: The pre-competitive level is for dancers who are competing for their 1st or 2nd year and training under 4 hours a week. Dancers training at a recreational level should enter this category. Teacher may use their best judgement when entering at this level.
COMPETITIVE: The Competitive level is for dancers training an average of 4.25 hours per week - 7.75 hours a week.
ELITE: The Elite level is for dancer training an average of 8 hours per week or more.
Substitutions are allowed as long as age level is not affected. No Refunds for missing dancers.
Routines that are obviously under placed may be elevated by the adjudicators.
CATEGORIES
Dancers are permitted to compete with two or more solos of the same genre. However, only their highest scoring solo will be considered for placing and awards.
Solo
Duo/Trio
Small Groups (4-9 dancers)
Large Groups (10-15 dancers)
Lines (16 or more dancers)
Extended Lines (25 or more dancers)
DISCIPLINE
JAZZ
Routine must primarily contain jazz movement and technique.
CLASSICAL BALLET
Routine must contain classical ballet movement and technique. All Routines to be performed in soft shoes.
DEMI CHARACTER BALLET
Routine must contain classical ballet movement and technique, and must portray a recognizable character and or tell a story. All Routines to be performed in soft shoes or character shoes
POINTE
Routines that contain pointe technique, using pointe shoes. Pointe shoes are not allowed in classical ballet or character ballet categories.
LYRICAL
Routine must contain contemporary technique with specific dancer attention given to song lyric.
CONTEMPORARY/INTERPRETIVE
Routine must primarily contain modern technique and execute expression and creativity through the music.
MODERN
A routine consisting of a collection of methods developed from modern and post-modern dance and can take on many forms including dance fusion, emergent dance and revisionism.
TAP
Routine must primarily contain tap technique. Pre-recorded tap sounds on performer’s music selection will not be permitted.
SONG AND DANCE
Routine must contain an equal display of singing and dancing (in any of the above mentioned styles). Judges will mark both disciplines according- ly. No other lead vocals on the back track will be permitted.
HIP HOP
Routine must primarily contain street/hip hop technique and style.
VARIETY
Any routine displaying a combined effort of the above mentioned dance disciplines or other that does not fit the description of the fore mentioned.
MUSICAL THEATRE
A routine consisting of any style of dance, which interprets a song from a Broadway show, movie musical, or song depicting characters. Lip syncing is permitted.
ACRO
A routine combining classical dance technique with acrobatic fundamentals.
PRODUCTION
Any routine using 21 or more dancers with an extended time limit of 10 minutes to be primarily judged on concept, steps, formations and choreography.
OPEN
Open is the perfect category for a creative piece that is undefinable or blends multiple genres of dance. Note: A routine that should be entered in one of the other performance categories cannot be entered into this category. Please do not enter “extra” tap, jazz, lyrical, etc., routines in this category.
All solos, duets and groups, will compete in the above-mentioned disciplines in their specified age groups.
TIME
Timing begins at first movement and ends when last dancer has exited the stage. - A grace period of 5 seconds will be allowed. Solos: 2.5 minutes.
Duos/Trios: 3 minutes
Small Groups (4-9 dancers): 3 minutes
Large Groups (10-15 dancers): 4 minutes
Lines (16 or more dancers): 5 minutes
Extended Lines (25 or more dancers): 6 minutes
Productions: 10 minutes
ADJUDICATION AWARDS
- Diamond, High Platinum, Platinum, High Gold, Gold will be awarded to all participating dancers in all categories.
- In Solo, Duo/Trio, Small and Large Groups and Lines. 1st ,2nd ,and 3rd award will be given in the Competitive & Elite levels where there is 3 or more entries.
- Most promising, and adjudicators choice will be given in the pre competitive level.
- Choreography awards will be recognized at EVERY awards session.
Medal Scoring System
Diamond 96-100
High Platinum 93 - 95.99
Platinum 90 - 92.99
High Gold 87 - 89.99
Gold 84 - 86.99
PLEASE SEE OUR PROGRAM FOR ALL SCHOLARSHIPS & OVERALL AWARDS
GENERAL RULES
- All choreography performed must be original and appropriate in nature.
- When you arrive please pick up your teacher’s package in the teacher’s lounge.
- The studio is responsible for entering their routines into the correct level and age divisions. Please ensure all entries are carefully checked prior to submitting.
- If a teacher is in a routine that routine must be entered in the Teacher category or where appropriate in the Adult category.
- Entry fees are non-refundable. With no exceptions, there are no refunds for cancellation of entries.
- No recording devices of any kind will be permitted in the theatre. We thank you for your cooperation and adherence to this rule.
- All routines are to report backstage to the MC, 2 numbers before they are scheduled to perform.
- All routines are also expected to perform in the order they are scheduled. If for any reason a routine must perform out of order, it must be performed before its scheduled adjudication. Please notify the announcer of any holds needed. We will do our best to accommodate fast changes however; there will be a limit to program changes and holds at the event. Any changes to the program needed for such things as costume changes or back-to-back numbers, must be communicated to TDP 2 weeks before the competition. Your cooperation in this matter is appreciated to keep the competition running on time. The wrongful holding of numbers may result in disqualification.
- Any other conflicts or changes noticed in the printed program upon arrival at the competition such as, incorrect titles, categories, or misprinted names of performers, should be changed in with the MC.
- Any routine not completed on stage due to technical difficulties, the routine will re-perform for adjudication and placement.
- Under no circumstances will video taping or photography of any performance, in part or otherwise, be tolerated. Photos of all entries during performance will be available for purchase in the theatre lobby.
- We trust the professionalism of the teachers that enter our competition to have good judgment on what every performer presents on stage to our family audience. However, any entry in any class and category, displaying suggestive movements, and musical selections with lyrics inappropriate for our family audience, will be scored lower and/ or be disqualified.
- Under no circumstances are Adjudicators to be approached regarding marking by dancers, parents, studio directors and their staff during the competition.
- All decisions made by the Adjudicators are final.
- Each studio will be designated a change room. Please be advised that studios will be held responsible for keeping the change room clean and any damage to theatre change rooms.
- A performance schedule will be sent out to all studios via email.
- Total Dance Productions reserves the right to subtract days or cancel the competition due to unforeseen circumstances.
- Please note you are not entered into the competition until full payment for all entries is received
- All props and backdrops are to be free standing and speedy in set up by studio officials. To assist in scheduling, please indicate on the registration form the length of time needed for the set up and take down of props and sets.
Dance Drive Festival Disclaimer
Contestants and teachers by virtue of entering Dance Drive Festival give their permission and consent to the director of Dance Drive Festival to use their images or photo- graphs or appear in videos, television, or any other electronic media for advertising, news coverage or any other commercial use of our events.
Any performer competing in dance competitions takes certain inherent risks. These include, but are not limited to sprains, bruises, pulled muscles, dislocations, and broken bones. Participation in this competition indicates the acceptance of such risks by performers. Therefore by virtue of entering this event, it is agreed that participants will not hold Dance Drive Festival or its employees responsible for injuries sustained while in attendance and/or participating in any activity related to Dance Drive Festival and the hosting facility. Dance Drive Festival will not be held responsible for personal injury to either contestants or spectators. Dance Drive Festival is not responsible for lost or stolen property. Do not leave personal property and valuables unattended in the theater or dressing rooms.
