All entries must be postmarked by deadline date and be accompanied by a studio check or the registration will not be processed. You may duplicate the entry forms. Entry fee are non-refundable. All registration forms must be mailed and accompanied with a studio or certified check .There will be a service charge of $25 on all returned checks. There is a $5 fee charged for late entries. If a group, solo, duet or trio wins first place with a routine at national in the prior year, you may not compete that routine again at Regionals the following year with the same students. In Regional competitions, a routine winning 1st place will not be eligible for 1st place again in a Regional event in the same season. All dance categories may contain no more than seven gymnastic or acrobatic tricks, except in the acrobatic category, which must contain more than eight ricks. Passes are considered one trick. Props are allowed in any routine; fire swords, knives, and guns are prohibited.
Regionals
All dancers must be ready 30 minutes before or 30 minutes after the schedule performance time. Must dance in category to be eligible for High Point. If a dancer group is rescheduled to a prior day they will be disqualified for high point awards.
Age Groups
Super Mini (2-4), Mini (5-8), Pre-teen (9-11), Junior (12-14), Senior (15-18), and Adult (19+).
Note: Average age must be taken of all members performing in a group. For instance, if the average age is 7.7 they are still seven.
Note: You will no longer have to average up the next age. Any group competing against itself must go up an age with one of the routines. No more than 25% of the line members can be the same students in the same category. Super Mini and Mini are judged separately from the other age categories, based on their ability.
Note: New category for Large Group, Line and Production only: Daddy Daughter (includes Daddy Son, Mother Daughter, and Mother Son).
Dance Category Definitions
TapAny routine executing all tap. No tap allowed on the recording. JazzAny basic jazz routine. LyricalDancers interpret the lyrics, mood and content of the music. BalletIncludes classical or contemporary ballet and movement and technique. Ballet slippers on. PointeMay include classical or contemporary pointe technique and steps. Pointe shoes only. OpenAny of the listed categories of dance may be in. Open if you are performing two routines in the same category or if your routine doesn’t fit any of the other categories. Novelty/CharacterFolk routines, comedy routines, 50’s routines, pantomime routines, character routines, etc. Props permitted. |
PrecisionWith or without pompoms. A routine should include marching, clean sharp moves, kicks, leaps, jumps and splits. Jazz moves may be incorporated into routine. AcrobaticCombines gymnastic and dance choreography – must contain at least 50% dance choreography. CloggingAny basic routine utilizing clogging technique and style. Song & DanceAny routine performed along with a song. No vocal allowed on tape. Musical ShowA routine performed in any shoes and fashioned after a Broadway/Hollywood musical choreographed more for “show” and entertainment. Hip HopStreet or contemporary jazz funk. |
Improv Shootout:
This will take place prior to the solo awards, respective of their age. They will perform in groups of 3-10 dancers in the semi-finals. The participants will have 60 seconds from the time the music starts to improv. The music selection will be not be given in advice. The judges will then select any number of dancers to improv once more in the final round. The top 3 will be ranked by the judges, with the 1st place winner awarded a free solo and a $100 Starz gift certificate, 2nd place is awarded a free Solo for 2020, and 3rd place will receive a $50 Starz gift certificate. However, if you are a graduating senior 1st place winner receives a free solo at either of our 2020 Nationals and a $100 Starz gift certificate, 2nd place winner receives a free solo at either of our Nationals, 3rd place will receive a $50 Starz gift certificate. Register to participate online or at the competition and pay the required fees.
Standout Dancers
Dancers that especially impress the judges will be chosen at each city to dance at the Nationals. They will perform a production number before the award ceremony and they will be taught the production routine at Nationals. A special note will be made of their names and the studio they represent!
Nationals
20th Annual Nationals are held at the Kalahari Waterpark, Wisconsin Dells, WI on Thursday, June 17 through Sunday, June 20, 2010.
Regional Competition Fees
All groups $30 each person, Solos each $70, Duo/Trio $100. Performer of Excellence $25 this is a combined division.
National Competition Fees
All groups $35 each person, Solos each $85, Duo/Trio $140. Performer of Excellence $35.
Hotel Reservations
Phone number are listed to make hotel reservations. They must be made more than one month in advance of the competition you are attending. Always mention your are attending the Midwest Starz Dance Competition to receive your discount.
Group Injury
If a group changes size due to an injury you can perform the routine as is in regionals in order to allow the injured person registered in that group to qualify for nationals.
Judges
All judges are professionals from the field of dance and will not be affiliated with any dance studio competing in the competition. The decision of the judges is final.
Dressing
Adequate dressing areas will be provided.
Time Limits
Solos, duets and trios are allowed three minutes, small groups – four minutes, large groups – five minutes, production & lines – eight to ten minutes. All are allowed an eight second leeway to difference in CD recorders. The stop watch start when your music starts and stop when you finish the routine.
Group Size
Small groups (4-9), Large groups (10-19), Lines (20-29, Productions (30+)
Proof of Age
Each student is asked to have proof of their age with them. (i.e.: birth certificate, drivers license, health card, etc.) in order to prove their age in case of a protest. Failure to do so may result in disqualification. A protest must be in written form form the owner of the protesting studio to be considered.
Performance of Teachers
Teachers may perform in groups only, or in the 20 or over age group as solos, duets and trios. Assistant teachers (under the age of 20 & non-professional dancers) may compete in any area.
Accompaniment
Please upload your music on the registration page or provide a good quality flash drive or CD and please do not record in mono. We are unable to play CD-RW. Always be prepared with a back-up. The label provided to you must be on the jacket. Tapes are no longer accepted. When using a flash drive or CD, always be clear as to what cut it is.
Adjudication of Awards
All routine will be judged on a point system based upon the total scores of the three judges. Each act will receive a Silver, Gold, High Gold or Platinum ranking. To commemorate this accomplishment, each group act will receive a medal or trophy and each participant will receive a special pin. *Solo and Duo/Trio will each receive a medal.
Overall High Score Awards
Daily high score solo, duo/trio* (combined division), small, large, line and production groups will receive a Trophy. If there are more than four in the division, we will award a 1st runner up High Point Trophy and, depending on the number of acts, more places will be recognized with medals. Trophies and medals will be available to purchase by competitors. No score will be posted until the end of the awards. Please note – any dancer not performing in a category will not be eligible for a high point award.
Choreographer’s Award
A minimum of one standout Choreographer Award will be awarded at each competition.
Starz Gift and Cash Awards
All high point solo, duo/trio, small group, large group, lines, and production in the mini, pre-teen, junior, senior division will receive cash awards at the Starz 2020 Regional and/or National Competitions. All Solo and Duo/Trio high point division winners will be awarded $75 at Regionals (must be at least 4 entered in the division), $125 cash award (winner will receive a check) will be awarded to each high point group division winner; Mini Pre-teen, Junior, Senior, and Adult.
Note: Super Mini will not be eligible for high point and cash awards.
Performer of Excellence
Performing at least two routines in different dance categories. Awards are presented to 1st, 2nd, 3rd place.
Coaching
Visual coaching of your dancers during their performance is prohibited and will result in one point deduction from the total score.
Deductions
One point from the total score will be deducted for starting over once, for being in the wrong category, for exceeding the time limits, for more than 7 different acrobatic tricks in any routine (except in the acrobatic category), for coaching from the side lines, costume deductions could occur for unsuitable costumes and inappropriate behaviors.
Registration Deadlines
Please observe all deadline entry dates. Late entries are subject to a late fee of $5 per entry. Entries received less than 20 days prior to the show may not appear in the program. Please mail registration form at least 30 days prior to competition so performance time can be posted to Midwest Starz’ website in a timely manner.
