Masquerade Rules and Guidelines (REVISED July 2008)

Entries must be postmarked 30 days prior to the competition date to avoid any late fees. Entries received postmarked 45 days prior to the competition day will qualify for the entry rebate. In order for programs to be printed, this deadline must be strictly adhered to. Each competition day has a maximum number of entries that will be accepted. We will not overbook. Entries will be accepted in the order that they are received.

Scoring | Age Division | Competitive Levels | Type of Entry & Time Limits | Style of Dance | Modeling | Photogenic Award | Props | Music | Schedule | Registration | Entry Fees | Title Competition | General Info

Scoring

All entries will be scored by a panel of three judges with a maximum score of 100 points per judge. Performance is evaluated on the following elements:
Technique- 40 points
Execution/Precision - 25 Points
Stage Presence - 25 Points
Choreography - 10 Points

All acts will receive one of the following placement awards:
Platinum - 300-285 Points
High Gold - 284-279 Points
Gold - 278-270 Points
High Silver - 269-260 Points
Silver- 259-245 Points
Bronze - 245 & Below

Each Entry will receive a placement plaque/trophy as well as a bead for each participant.

Any questions will be brought to the attention of the director by the studio owner or representative only. The decision of the judging panel is final.

Every entry will receive a CD critique, as well as a score sheet from each judge. All score sheets and CDs should be picked up at the registration table following the awards ceremony. Masquerade is not responsible for any critiques or score sheets not claimed by the end of the competition.

Age Divisions

Petite - Ages 8 & Under
Junior - Ages 9-11
Teen- Ages 12-14
Senior - Ages 15 -19
Adult – Ages 20 & Over *see note below.

All ages are as of January 1st.   For groups, round down or drop decimal.

Adult Category:  Any performer 20 years or older dancing in any solo, duo,trio or group is NOT eligible for high points except in it’s own Adult Division.  Adult division will include Teacher, Pro, Parent, etc.

Bump Rule: Duo/Trios or groups including dancers of different age divisions will compete no more than one age division younger than the oldest dancer regardless of average age. For example: If the group includes a dancer age 18 but the average age of the group is Junior (Ages 9-11) that routine must be entered in the Teen age division.   Exception to this rule is the Super Krewe category.

*The youngest dancer in a group must perform a minimum of 75% of the entire act.

No more than 50% of any duo/trio or group may be and compete against themselves in the same age group of the same category.

Competitive Levels

Recreational Level
This level is for dancers that take less then 2 hours of dance per week. Dancers can enter this category no matter how long they have been competing provided they do not exceed 2 hours of dance per week. No cash awards will be awarded in this division.

Intermediate Level
This level is for dancers who have been competing for 3 years or less.

Elite Level
This level is for dancers who have been competing for more than 3 years.

Only count competition experience after the age of 6. In placing duets, trios and groups, experience should be averaged. At the discretion of the judges, dancers may be moved into the appropriate level and/or category.

*If in a group, you have an equal amount of dancers from the Elite and Intermediate then that act must be entered in the Elite division.

Example: In a small group, you have 4 dancers of Elite level and 2 dancers of Intermediate level. This group should be placed in the Elite level.

Type of Entry and Time Limits

Solo– 2:45
Duo/Trio - 2:45
Small Group (4-9 Performers) - 3 Minutes
Large Group (10-19 Performers) - 4 Minutes
Line (Over 20 Performers) - 4 Minutes
Production(Over 20 Performers) - 6 Minutes

New in 2009!  

Super Krewe Category to be use for Studio Productions containing multi level dancers of all ages and/or parents.  All Super Krewe entries will be grouped together for overalls regardless of average age.  Super Krewe entries are not eligible for FDC Pinnacle Cup Points but are eligible for Encore, Overall and Special Awards.   Super Krewe time limit is 6:00 minutes.

**Extended Time may be purchased for Productions & Super Krewes only up to 2:00 minutes at a cost of $2.00 per dancer.

Time Limits will be strictly enforced. Any routine exceeding the time limit will be adjudicated only and will not be eligible for overall awards.

Style of Dance

Acro - Routine using acrobatics and tumbling moves (walkovers, handsprings, aerials, etc) incorporated with the rhythm of the music. Can contain passes and flexibility moves. Must contain 50% dance and 50% acrobatic.
Ballet - Ballet technique incorporating classical movements
Character - Routine portraying an easily recognizable character throughout. Character can be from a play, musical, movie, television or Broadway. Acrobatic tricks are allowed provided that it is fitting to the character being portrayed.
Dance Team - Precision choreography that also incorporates dance technique.
General Variety – Can contain any style and/or combination of styles of dance.
Hip-Hop - Trendy style of today's dance techniques.
Jazz - Consists primarily of jazz technique. No acrobatic tricks allowed.
Lyrical - Routine should demonstrate balance, extension and control performing contemporary lyrical moves. Dance should "tell the story" of the music
Modern - Modern dance involves free movements of legs, arms, and body to create unusual and interesting effects.
Contemporary – Interpretive movements using Contemporary technique

Musical Theater - Any style or combination of styles of dance with music from any Broadway show past or present.
Novelty - Routine consists of any number of styles and combinations of dance.
Open - Any style of dance
Pointe - Consist of Pointe technique with classical movements.
Pom - Routine using pom pons with precision choreography and definite movements
Tap - Contains tap technique. NO tap sounds can be on tape.

*No more than 50% of any act may compete against itself in the same style category.
*Soloist may enter three solos provided that they are in different style categories however, they can only place with one in the overalls.
Example: A Soloist can not receive Overall High Point as well as a runner-up placement.

Photogenic Award

$25.00 Entry Fee per photo/person

All photos must be submitted at the registration table PRIOR to the start of the competition day. All entries will be judged on a point system of 100 points per judge. Each entry will receive either : Platinum, High Gold, Gold, High Silver, Silver, or Bronze. An Overall Photogenic award will be given in each of the 4 age divisions provided that the minimum number of entries (5) is met.

Entrants must submit a color photograph no larger than 8x10 with the contestant name, studio name, and age on the back. All photos must be picked up at the registration table following the awards session. Masquerade is not responsible for any unclaimed photographs.

Props

Props are allowed however, they must be free standing and be essential to the performance. Fire, swords and knives will not be allowed along with balloons, confetti, and glitter. No special backdrops or lighting changes will be allowed. No loose debris may be thrown from the stage. If the stage is littered (feathers, etc.) at any point during the performance, dancers must be prepared to clean it up IMMEDIATELY following the performance. If props are to be used, it must be stated on the entry form. Dancers may have help with the placement of heavy props but, helpers MAY NOT have on any studio apparel (jackets, shirts,etc)

No performer may stand/lay or be ABOVE 6ft from the stage at any time during the performance.  If at any time the performer is above 6 ft from the stage the routine will be adjudicated only and will not be eligible for overall awards.

Props must be placed within 2 minutes (3 minutes for Productions & Super Krewes).  If props are not placed and ready within 2 minutes, the routine will be adjudicated only and will not be eligible for overall awards.

Music

Music must be on CD and must be clearly labeled with studio code, name of routine and routine number. Labeled CD cases will be sent to the studios with their confirmation packet 7-10 days prior to the competition. Music must be turned in with the provided cases. Music must be cued and ready to play. Speed will not be adjusted. Studio owners should bring a backup CD. All music should be picked up at the registration table following the awards ceremony. Masquerade is not responsible for any music not claimed by the end of the competition.

Schedule

The competition will be posted on our website 7 days prior to the event, as well as either faxed or emailed to the designated studio representative. Changes will be made to this schedule to provide for costume changes ONLY. If any changes need to be made they must be requested in writing, by fax or email, within 24 hours of the schedule being posted. NO CHANGES will be made after this time for any reason. Positively no changes will be made the day of the competition.

Registration

You may register by mail or via our website. No faxed entries will be accepted. We accept studio check, Visa or MasterCard. Visa and MasterCard payments are subject to a convenience fee. All returned checks will be charged a $25.00 returned check fee. You are not considered registered until all entries all paid in full.

All studios who submit and postmark their entries 45 days prior to the competition date will receive a 5% rebate.

Entry Fees

Solo - $75.00
Duo/Trio - $85.00
Groups , Lines & Productions - $26.00 per person

Super Krewes - $28.00 per person
Modeling - $25.00
Photogenic - $25.00 per person/photo

Title Competition

Title will be awarded in each age division provided there are at least 5 title contestants. To be considered for title, contestants must enter 2 solos in different style categories. The dancer with the highest cumulative score will be awarded the title for that age division. Dancers may not win title if their solos are entered in the Recreational or Intermediate division. In the event of a tie, judges will make the final decision.

General Information

-Soloist may enter 3 solos provided that they are not in the same style category. However, they may only "place" with one of their solos. A soloist cannot win overall as well as 1st runner up.

-At every venue Masquerade will set up a reserved seating hospitality section for all studio representatives. This section is reserved for their use only and is not open to any students.

-Contestants will be in the building and ready to perform 1 hour prior to their estimated performance time.

-Masquerade and the host facility are not held responsible for personal injury or property loss/damage to contestants and spectators.

-All teachers and contestants agree that the manner and method of judging will be solely the discretion of the judging panel. Score sheets will be available at the conclusion of the competition and will be given only to the studio representative.

-Special microphones and sound equipment is not allowed.

-NO COACHING from anywhere by anyone during the performance. This will be enforced and points will be deducted.

-No refunds will be given for any reason.

-Masquerade reserves the right to change the competition to one or two days depending on the amount of entries received. Contestants must compete on their designated day.

-Ties for overall scores will be broken by technique score and in the event of a tie judges will make the final decision.

-Any questions regarding the rules or judging should be brought to the attention of the director by the studio representative only.

-All dancers and teachers are expected to display good sportsmanship. Failure to do so will result in immediate disqualification.

- Any routine not completed will be adjudicated only and will not be eligible for overall wards.
-All cash awards will be awarded to the studio owner only.

Cameras of ANY kind are NOT allowed inside the auditorium. If anyone from your studio is caught videotaping or taking photos, your entry is subject to disqualification.

Masquerade does not discriminate; however, we do reserve the right to refuse entry into the competition as a competitor or spectator, to any group or individual who has been deemed unsportsmanlike by our staff. Anyone displaying unsportsmanlike behavior during the event will immediately be asked to leave the facility and no refunds will be issued.