Competitions-General Guidelines
 

Dance Connection Performing Company

2008/2009

Workshop and Competitions – General Guidelines

Workshops/conventions and competitions are the best place to learn and get experience and exposure. Your goal should be to learn as much as you possibly can not only in dance technique but also interaction with others. Competitions, especially, will produce all sorts of emotions both good (performance “high”, confidence, pride, etc.) and bad (discouragement, stress, etc.). Winning is great but it is not one of the most important things in life. Having a “winning attitude” is. You are already a winner. Do your best and it will show.  Its not about the award you get, but the way you feel when you get done performing.


The following will give you an idea of the rules and regulations at Conventions/Workshops and Competitions. Please note that these are general guidelines only and they will differ slight depending on each organization sponsoring the event.


  • Respect team members, fellow dancers, staff members, and personal belongings. You’ve probably heard this all your life from parents and teachers: “Treat others as you would like to be treated.”

  • Good Sportsmanship – Applause and cheer (no screaming) appropriately. Poor conduct can result in disqualification.

  • Remember safety – warm up and only execute those skills that will not cause harm or injury.

  • You will not compete if:

    • You miss excessive rehearsals (as per the contract)

    • Miss any MANDATORY rehearsals one week prior to a competition. You must also attend your regularly scheduled team class the week prior to a competition. If you are not feeling well, please notify us. We still want you to come to class so you can get any important notes.

    • You arrive late to the competition

    • Costume is not complete

  • Warm up and practice in designated areas only. No rehearsing allowed in public areas of the facility.

  • Wear DC warm up suits over costumes while in the audience and especially in public areas. You may find dancers from other studios not wearing cover up but this does not mean it is appropriate.

  • Teachers and performers are allowed backstage only during their routine as directed by the stage manager.

  • ALL spectators are expected to enter/exit the theater in-between performances only.

  • Enter and exit the stage (within 10 seconds) as quickly as possible!

  • Deductions – These may occur for any/all of the following: routine is over the specified time limit; too many acrobatic passes; inappropriate costumes, routines or music; routines not completed; music not cued or turned in on time.

  • Props/Sets-Dancers generally set up their own props and must be down within the specified time limit set by the organization (usually 20-30 seconds for groups and one minute for big production numbers but basically, set up as

  • If there is a workshop, you are required to be registered for the workshop in order to compete.
  • No food allowed in the ballrooms and performing areas.
  • No videotaping! Some conventions/competitions offer video tapes to purchase. Cameras are usually allowed but no flash photography. No cameras allowed in the dressing rooms.
  • Photographs, recordings, taping or filming of participants by the sponsor/organization are property of the sponsor/organization and may be used for future publicity.
  • Sponsors/Organizations and are not responsible for lost, stolen or damaged items. They are also not responsible for injury, damage or loss to any person or property during the event.
  • Determination of Age Group of an entry: Take the average age of the performers. If the individual age of 50% of the performers is of another age group, the number must compete in the higher age group, regardless of the average age of the performers.
  • Generally, entrance to competitions is free.
  • Observers to the Workshop/Conventions usually pay an observer’s fee.
  • Dancers are expected to stay for the whole convention/competition. This includes the awards ceremony so you can be with fellow team members to accept any awards/prizes.
  • If you leave the ballroom for any reasons (bathroom, headache, etc.) you MUST let either Tami, Bethany or a team parent know where you have gone. Dance Connection is responsible for your safety.
  • Do not wander around the facilities without letting the Directors (or parent) know.
  • The first two rows of seats at a competition are usually reserved for teachers only so please do not sit in those seats.
  • Please do not sit on the floor for any reason during a competition (even if you see dancers from other teams doing this). This can be a hazard to those trying to get to seats.