Rules

Dance Off Troupe Challenge Rules

Entries

Must be received by the due date.
All performers must pay a once off registration fee of $12 per head to be eligible to perform in any troupe/troupes.
No refunds will be made for performers/troupes who are unable to attend.
Entries will not be added to the schedule until full payment has been received.
Entry fees will be accepted through PayPal/Credit Card.
Places are limited and entries will be accepted on a first come, first served basis. DOC reserves the right to bring forward the closing date if oversubscribed. Money will be returned or refunded in this instance.

Age Categories

6 years & under
8 years & under
10 years & under
12 years & under
14 years & under
16 years & under
Open Age

Performers' Age is calculated from 1st January.

All troupe performers must be within the correction age limit of the section.

Age Averaging will not apply for Dance Off Troupe Challenge

DOC reserves the right to combine age categories depending on entries received.

Troupe Sizes

Small Groups (for 5-11 performers) will be offered for all styles and age categories.
Sections may be further split to Medium and Large Groups where numbers allow.
DOC reserves the right to combined section categories if there are not enough entrants.
Minimum no. of entrants per troupe is 5.
Maximum no of entrants per troupe is 45.
Requests will NOT be accepted to move to a Small Group section if the number of troupe performers reduce, after the initial entry has been submitted.

Time Limits

Judging


Technique	40%
Unison	20%
Presentation	20%
Choreography/Staging	10%
Entertainment Value	10%
	100%

Both judges will score individually and points will be added together for a combined total out of 200.
The judges’ decision will be final.
No written or verbal communication may be made with the judges.
Judging will be announced at the end of each morning, afternoon or evening session.
Prizes and participation awards will be presented at the Awards Ceremony held at the end of each session (morning, afternoon & evening).
Score sheets may be collected from the Music Desk side stage at the end of each session.

Music

All troupe items will be allocated a unique, consecutive number that relates to the running of the whole day. Numbers will not be repeated for different sections. e.g. 1st section may have competitors 1-8, 2nd section competitors 9-15, last section of the day competitors 85-92.
Program Running orders will be emailed prior to the event, advising item numbers and session times.
Music check-in will commence ½ hour prior to the start of each session, at the Stage Manager's music desk. All music may be lodged at one time.
Teachers must ensure that each troupe’s music is lodged at least 2 sections prior to their performance
No music will be accepted once a section has started.
Music will be accepted on a CD (one track per CD) that is clearly marked with the school name, item name and number. All music must be cut to the right length. An alternate back up version of the music must be readily available side stage with the troupe supervisor.
Music will be accepted on iPods or iPads if each item has been placed in its own playlist with the Item No and Name in the Playlist Title. IPods must be labelled with the school name and contact number and all security codes must be switched off. Use of devices is at the owners own risk.
Music can be collected at the end of each section, from the Stage Manager's music desk, side stage.
Session times will commence as scheduled. DOC cannot be held responsible for troupes arriving late or not lodging music on time.
A supervising teacher/parent from the school must be positioned at the stage manager’s desk (prompt corner) whilst a troupe is on stage. The supervisor will need to advise the stage manager of entrances and exits and call any specific lighting requirements.
In the event of faulty music, the supervisor will need to decide if music should be turned off and if the troupe should continue dancing without music. Alternatively the troupe can have one more attempt to perform with a back up copy of the music (if it is available without delay), at the end of the section, without disqualification. If the music is still faulty, then the troupe will have the option to continue dancing or leave the stage. If no supervisor is present, then DOC reserves the right to make a decision on behalf of the troupe.

General Rules

It is agreed upon entering Dance Off Troupe Challenge that participants, including students, parents, teachers and other spectators, will not hold Dance off Challenge or its directors, employees, or host facilities liable for injuries sustained, illnesses contracted by them or loss of property while in attendance and/or participating in any activity related to this event.
DOC reserves the right to combine or divide any sections depending on the number of entries received.
Costuming, choreography and themes must be appropriate for family viewing. Points will be deducted for any item not deemed appropriate.
Teachers should ensure that choreographic content follows safe dance practices and is appropriate and achievable for the age of the performers.
Competing troupes must perform in the order scheduled by the competition, unless special permission is requested and agreed to, by the stage manager.
Any protests may only be initiated by a Studio Director/Teacher and must be submitted in writing to the organising staff within 30 minutes of the incident involved.
Good sportsmanlike behaviour is expected from all performers, parents and the general audience at all times and any performer who fails to conduct themselves in this manner will be disqualified.
The use of flash photography, cameras, video or DVD recording devices are strictly prohibited during the competition.
DOC reserves the right to alter the program running order at any time.
Any props should be set up and assembled on the stage in less than 30 seconds. Props should be stored in the loading bay until one item prior to use.
No smoking is permitted in the auditorium, foyer and backstage areas.
Mobile phones must be switched off when in the auditorium or backstage.
No food or drinks are to be brought into the auditorium.
No alcoholic beverages may be consumed by competitors at any time throughout the competition.

Safety

To ensure safety, DOC requests that choreographic content does not allow dancers to be physically placed more than 2 metres off the ground.
No naked flames, lighted candles, fresh fruit and vegetables or glass may be used on stage.
No liquids, gels, aerosols, glitter or other substance that could affect the dance surface of the stage may be used.