Welcome to the Monsters Dance Competition, where talented dancers showcase their skills and passion on stage. To ensure a smooth and fair competition for everyone, we’ve outlined essential rules and guidelines. Understanding these regulations is crucial for your preparation and performance at our A-List event. This guide covers everything from music and props to stage conduct and important policies.
Music Guidelines for Your Monsters Dance Routine
Music is the heartbeat of dance, and at Monsters Dance, we have specific guidelines to ensure appropriate and high-quality performances.
Music Requirements: Clean and Edited
All music selections must be clean, edited, and suitable for audiences of all ages. This is a family-friendly event, and music with explicit or offensive content is not permitted. Judges will assess music appropriateness, and any routine with music deemed unsuitable will face a 5-point deduction.
Time Limits and Music Overage Fees
Each routine type has designated time limits. Please refer to the Fees/Time Limits section for specific durations. Exceeding the time limit will result in a music overage fee of $3 per dancer for every 30-second overage, applied to your Monsters account.
Music Submission and Deadlines
To facilitate pre-approval, all competition music must be uploaded to your account no later than two (2) weeks prior to the event. Late submissions will incur a $20 late change fee per routine. Submitting your music on time is essential to avoid penalties and ensure a smooth competition experience.
Prop Usage and Stage Access Regulations
Props can enhance your performance, but it’s important to adhere to our prop usage and stage access regulations for safety and fairness.
Accessibility for Differently-Abled Dancers
Monsters Dance is committed to inclusivity. If you have dancers with accessibility requirements, please contact us at [email protected] to discuss necessary arrangements and ensure a comfortable and accessible experience.
Prop Approval Process
All props must receive prior approval from our Monsters A-List team. When registering your routines online, include detailed information about your props. For large props, please contact us in advance to coordinate storage arrangements. Unapproved props may not be permitted on stage.
Set-Up and Removal Time Allocation
Competitors are allotted two (2) minutes both before and after their routine for prop set-up and removal. Judges will consider excessive set-up or removal time during adjudication, which may affect placement eligibility. Efficiency in stage preparation is key to a successful competition.
Stage Cleanliness Responsibility
Maintaining a clean stage is a shared responsibility. If your routine results in stage ‘litter,’ you are expected to clean it up immediately following your performance. Leaving debris on stage can negatively impact subsequent performances and is discouraged.
Prohibited Items for Stage Use
For safety reasons, certain items are strictly prohibited on stage. These include fire, weapons, alcohol or drug paraphernalia, fog machines and/or hazers, liquids or messy materials, powders, animals, and similar hazardous or disruptive items. The use of prohibited items will result in disqualification.
Genre and Style Expectations at Monsters Dance
Monsters Dance Competition focuses on a specific genre, celebrating the energy and innovation of hip hop dance.
Hip Hop Genre Focus
The competition primarily centers around Commercial Hip Hop (or New School). While this is the core style, we encourage versatility and creativity within the hip hop genre. Styles like street jazz, house, and funk are welcomed and celebrated.
Versatility and Style Incorporation
Routines can creatively integrate commercial dance styles, encompassing various forms of hip hop, contemporary, jazz, lyrical, and acrobatics. However, a foundational element is required.
Hip Hop Dance Style Requirement
At least one hip hop dance style* (e.g., street jazz, house, funk styles, etc.) must be incorporated into each routine. This ensures that the core spirit of hip hop dance remains central to the performances.
*Hip hop dance refers to dance styles, mainly street dance styles, primarily danced to hip hop music, or that have evolved as a part of the hip hop culture.
Footwear Policy: Safety First on the Monsters Stage
Safety is paramount at Monsters Dance. Therefore, a strict footwear policy is in place for all performers.
Mandatory Footwear for Performers
To ensure the safety of all dancers on the Monsters stage, footwear is mandatory at all times. This rule is non-negotiable and applies to all routines and practice sessions on stage.
No Bare Feet or Socks Allowed
Performers will not be permitted to perform or practice on stage in bare feet or socks. Appropriate dance shoes must be worn throughout your time on stage to prevent injuries and ensure safe movement.
Maintaining a Family-Friendly Atmosphere
Monsters Dance is a family event, and we strive to maintain a positive and appropriate atmosphere for all attendees and participants.
Cleanliness Standard for Routines
We appreciate artistic expression and creativity. While we value diverse styles and choreography, routines deemed inappropriate for a family audience will be penalized.
Penalties for Inappropriate Content
Judges will assess routines for family-friendliness. Any routine considered unsuitable for a family event will incur a 5-point deduction. Disqualification remains at the judges’ discretion for severe violations.
Other Important Policies for Competitors
Beyond stage-specific rules, several other policies are essential for all Monsters Dance competitors to understand and adhere to.
Full Convention Weekend Registration
All dancers participating in the competition must be registered for the full convention weekend to be eligible to compete. This ensures full participation in the Monsters Dance experience.
Solo Routine Limit
To allow opportunities for many dancers, only one solo performance per dancer is permitted in the competition.
Participation Gifts and Judge Feedback
All competing dancers will receive a Monsters A-List participation gift as a token of our appreciation. Furthermore, valuable professional feedback will be provided by our experienced judges to aid in dancer development.
Competition Schedule Timing
The competition may commence as early as 2 PM on Friday of a Monsters A-List event weekend. Please be prepared for potential early start times and plan your schedule accordingly.
Check-In Procedure and Timing
Dancers are required to check in at the competition check-in station 30 minutes prior to their scheduled performance time. Punctual check-in is crucial for smooth scheduling and on-time performances.
Dancer Number Amendments and Fees
At check-in, if there’s a discrepancy between the registered number of dancers and the actual number checking in, amendments will be made to your routine. Any resulting additional fees will be charged to the card on file to settle the balance.
Flash Photography Prohibition
Flash photography is strictly prohibited during competition performances. This is to minimize distractions for performers and ensure a professional environment on stage.
Payment Methods and Deadlines
Cash, money orders, checks, and credit cards are accepted for competition and/or convention registration fees. To avail of early rates, all payments must be received 30 days before the event. Checks must be received by Monsters at least three weeks prior to the event start date.
By understanding and adhering to these Monsters Dance competition rules, you contribute to a positive, fair, and exciting experience for all participants. We look forward to seeing your incredible performances on the Monsters stage!
