Rules and Guidelines

Please Read Carefully

Failure to comply with these rules could result in disqualification.

Entry Fees:

Studio Owners call 949-400-4736 for a complete schedule of Entry Fees. Already contacted us? Click Here

Entry Types & Time Limits:

Solo	(2:45 time limit)
Solo Extended	(3:15 time limit)
Duet/Trio	(2:45 time limit)
Duet/Trio Extended	(3:15 time limit)
Small Groups - 4 to 9 dancers	(3:00 time limit)
Small Groups Extended	(3:30 time limit)
Large Groups - 10 to 19 dancers	(4:00 time limit)
Lines - 20 or more dancers	(4:00 time limit)
Production - 20 or more dancers	(8:00 time limit)

Entry Divisions:

Starter Division: for dancers who take a total of three hours or less of combined dance and/or acro lessons per week and/or have only been competing for a maximum of four years. If a group routine has 50% or more of dancers that take four hours or more of dance per week, the routine should be entered in the Competitive Division. Please note that it is not mandatory that you enter The Starter Division if you take three hours or less, it is simply available for those who take three hours or less per week.

Competitive Division: anyone may enter, but this division is meant for those dancers that are studying dance seriously. However if a Duet/Trio has even one Competitive dancer, it must enter the Competitive division or if a group routine has 50% or more of the dancers that qualify (as taking 4 hours or more of dance per week) in the Competitive Division it must enter in the Competitive Division.

Age Divisions:

Contestants will compete in the following age divisions: (4 yrs. & under), (5-6 yrs.), (7-8 yrs), (9-10 yrs), (11 yrs), (12 yrs), (13-14 yrs), (15-16 yrs), (17-19 yrs), (20-29 yrs) and (30 & over).

Overall ages are as follows:

Mini Division (8 yrs. and under)	Junior Division (9-11 yrs.)
Teen Division (12-14 yrs.)	Senior Division (15-19 yrs.)

All ages for Solos, Duet/Trios and Groups are as of January 1st. For Duets/Trios and Groups add the ages of all the contestants as of the January 1st then divide by the number of contestants. If there is a decimal, round down and drop the decimal. (i.e. an average of 12.6 would compete in the 12 year old division). Soloists competing at Nationals will be entered in the same age division that they competed at, at their qualifying Regional Competition. (For example: if a soloist competes at the Detroit Regionals held March 11th and is age 13 at that time, they will compete in the 13 yr. old Solo Division at Nationals whether or not they have a birthday between March and July of The Countdown National Competition). Names, ages and birth dates of all contestants must appear on the entry form or entries will not be accepted.

Duet/Trio and Group entries cannot compete in an age division more than one age division younger than the oldest dancer, regardless of the average age. For example: if the oldest performer in a specific routine is 16 years old (a senior), but the average age of the group is 11 yrs. old (junior), the routine would be moved to the Teen category, one age division younger than the senior (16 yr. old) into the lowest age group within that age bracket which would be 12 years old.

The same contestant(s) cannot compete more than once in the same category and age group in either Solo, Duet/Trio, or Group competition. This means that contestants must never compete against themselves in the same age group and category. Solo contestants can enter only (3) solo routines for each Regional or National Competition. The highest scoring solo routine will be counted towards any overall awards.

Dance Categories:

BALLET: Routine must consist of ballet technique; must also include classical steps and movements. Dancers should be wearing ballet shoes.

JAZZ: Routine must consist of primarily jazz technique. Only three gymnastics/acro tricks allowed.

TAP: Routine must contain tap technique and primarily tap work. It is preferred tap sounds not be on tape. Only three gymnastics/acro tricks allowed.

LYRICAL/MODERN: Routine should demonstrate balance, extension, isolations and control utilizing the lyrics or mood of the music. Only three gymnastics/acro tricks allowed.

HIP HOP: Routine consisting primarily of hip hop Technique. The music must not contain inappropriate lyrics or it will be scored lower by the judges.

MUSICAL THEATRE: Routine featuring any style of dance interpreting a song from a Broadway show or movie musical. Only three gymnastics/acro tricks allowed.

POINTE: Routine must consist of pointe technique. No gymnastic/acrobatic tricks allowed.

CONTEMPORARY: Routine should utilize contemporary style to show extension, balance, can combine lyrical, modern and concert style techniques. Only three gymnastics/acro tricks allowed.

ACROBATIC: Routine using controlled moves such as walkovers, limbers, handstands, chest rolls, etc. Routine contain gymnastic passes. Majority of routine must be acrobatic moves or it will be scored lower by the judges. Routine contain flexibility moves or contortionist moves.

OPEN: Any of our listed categories or combinations of listed category styles.

CHARACTER: A routine with a combination of listed category styles that depicts a recognizable character from a movie, play, sport, theme, or stereotype (cowgirl, fireman, etc.). Character type must be defined on entry form and will also be listed in the program. Can include dance and/or acrobatic movements.

PRODUCTION: A group of at least 20 dancers utilizing any form of dance or acrobatics. The Production category is the ONLY category that is allowed a time limit of (8) minutes.

The Tap, Jazz, Lyrical/Modern, and Contemporary categories can contain only three gymnastics/acro tricks.

Gymnastics and acrobatic tricks are defined as: backwalkovers, frontwalkovers, backhandsprings, back tucks, etc. Any lift (being defined as supported by another dancer with any body part) is not defined as a trick.

A gymnastic pass completed by 2 or more dancers would constitute one trick. If that same pass or another trick is completed a second time within the routine, this would constitute the second trick. A two (2) point deduction per judge will be made for more than the allowed three tricks. For further information about what constitutes a "gymnastic/acrobatic" trick, please email or call for a more detailed explanation.

The Ballet and Pointe categories can contain no gymnastics/acro tricks in an effort to allow the classical ballet steps to be the emphasis of the routine.

The Open, Character, Musical Theatre, Hip Hop, Acrobatics, and Production categories can contain an unlimited amount of gymnastics/acrobatics tricks.

Music:

Each entry must furnish its own music marked with the contestant number on a clean, good quality CD or ipod. It is recommended that you bring a second copy as a backup in the event of malfunction of original.

A one point deduction per judge will be incurred if any special microphones or sound equipment is hooked up by The Countdown Competition for any performance.

Additional Guidelines:

A time schedule, directions to the competition, and general information will be emailed to all entries seven days prior to the competition date.

Video Taping and movie cameras are prohibited. A professional videographer will be recording all performances and quality dvd's of each studio's routines are available for purchase.

Stage Size: approximately 40' by 40' marley stage.

No cash refunds will be issued. A credit for a future Countdown event will be issued if necessary. All credits given are at the discretion of The Countdown Competition Directors.

Routines are expected to perform in the order they are scheduled. In all cases, routines must be performed during the awards session in which they are scheduled. If the routine cannot perform during the awards session in which they are scheduled for any reason, we will be glad to: 1) Give a studio credit for a future Countdown event, or 2) It can be performed for judges' adjudication only. The routine would not be eligible for any overall awards. It will be announced on stage at the end of the regular awards and the earned trophy or medal given.

No air horns or similar devices are allowed.

Fire, swords and knives on stage are prohibited. Simulated weapons with dull, safe edges are acceptable with approval of The Countdown Competition Directors and Stage Managers. No liquid, gel, aerosol, glitter, or similar substance that would affect the dancing surface is allowed unless specifically approved by The Countdown Directors. Props are allowed, however they must be freestanding. Scenery or backdrops requiring the use of theater fly bars may not be used. Special fog or smoke is not permitted unless specifically approved by The Countdown. Safety is always our major concern. If the stage is "littered" during a routine please be prepared to clean it up immediately after the routine is finished with the broom provided.

If dance movements or costuming are deemed to be too suggestive or otherwise inappropriate for our family audience, or if the music contains vulgar or inappropriate lyrics, the routine will be scored lower by the judges. The competition is meant for a family audience.

A 10 point deduction will be made for routines that are not completed.

Sportsmanlike behavior is expected at all times onstage, backstage, and in the dressing rooms. Failure to display proper decorum for all participants and staff members could result in immediate disqualification.

Contestants will be judged by a panel of competent judges, and all entrants agree that the time, manner, and method of judging the contest shall be solely within the discretion of the directors and producers of The Countdown and that all decisions of the judges are final.

Contestants and studio/team staff by virtue of entering The Countdown Competition event give their permission and consent to the directors of The Countdown Competition to use their images or photographs 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, 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 The Countdown or its officers, directors, officials, staff or employees responsible for injuries sustained or illnesses contracted by them while in attendance and/or participating in any activity related to The Countdown Competition. The Countdown and the hosting facility are not responsible for personal injury to either contestants or spectators. The Countdown is not responsible for lost or stolen property. Do not leave your property and valuables unattended in the dressing rooms.

Every solo, duet, trio, or group routine must be ready to compete when their number is called. We will work with costume change conflicts; however, if you do not notify the backstage manager or sound personnel, you risk major point deduction. The Countdown staff makes all efforts to insure the competition run on time according to the time schedule that is sent to all entrants 7 days prior to the competition date. Each entry should be ready to perform ONE HOUR prior to the listed time in the event the competition runs early.