Discover the Excitement of Celebrity Dance Competitions: Your Ultimate Guide

Are you ready to shine on stage and experience the thrill of competitive dance? Celebrity Dance Competitions offer a premier platform for dancers of all levels to showcase their talent, receive valuable feedback, and be recognized for their hard work. Understanding the rules and regulations is key to a successful and enjoyable competition experience. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of everything you need to know to participate in a celebrity dance competition, ensuring you’re fully prepared to take center stage.

Understanding Celebrity Dance Competition Rules

Navigating the world of dance competitions requires attention to detail, and Celebrity Dance Competitions are no exception. To ensure a fair and enjoyable event for everyone, it’s crucial to understand the specific guidelines. Let’s break down the essential rules and regulations you need to be aware of before you register.

Competition Admission

Good news for supporters! Audience admission to all regional Celebrity Dance Competition events is free. Bring your friends and family to cheer you on without any ticket costs.

General Competition Rules

To maintain a positive and respectful environment, several general rules are in place:

Unlimited Studio Entries: There is no limit to the number of routines a studio can enter, allowing for broad participation from dance schools.
Family-Friendly Performances: All routines must be appropriate for family viewing. Music, choreography, and costuming deemed unsuitable for minors may lead to point deductions. This ensures a comfortable atmosphere for all ages.
Teacher Participation: Teachers are welcome to perform, but only in the non-competitive “Showcase” category. This allows teachers to inspire and entertain without competing against their students.
Multiple City Participation: Dancers are permitted to compete in more than one regional event, offering flexibility and more chances to perform.
Prop Regulations: While general props are allowed, dangerous items such as fire, glass, and swords are strictly prohibited. Safety is paramount. Live animals and scenery are also not permitted. Helium balloons, loose feathers, or loose glitter are also not allowed due to venue and clean-up considerations.
Stage Etiquette: Studios are responsible for leaving the stage clean after their performance. Dancers must enter and exit the stage exclusively through the wings on either side, not from the front or back, ensuring smooth transitions between routines.
No Audience Coaching: To maintain fairness and minimize distractions, coaching from the audience during performances is not allowed.
Performance Order: Routines must perform in their scheduled order unless prior permission for a change is granted. This helps keep the competition running smoothly and on time.

Venues and Technical Aspects

Celebrity Dance Competitions are committed to providing a professional experience:

Professional Equipment: Professional sound and lighting equipment are utilized at all competition locations to enhance performances.
Venue Size Variation: Stage and venue sizes can vary depending on the location. If specific measurements are crucial for your routine, it is recommended to contact Celebrity for details about your performance area.
Venue Accessibility: Be aware that hotel venues might have stage entrances accessed by stairs.
Production Effects: Events may incorporate lighting effects, strobes, and smoke. Individuals sensitive to these elements should consider this before attending.

Critiques and Judging

Feedback is crucial for growth, and Celebrity Dance Competitions provide valuable insights:

Score Sheets and Critiques: Competition score sheets and routine critiques are available for pickup at the Celebrity & Company booth, typically provided to the teacher or studio owner for distribution.
Finality of Judges’ Decisions: By participating in Celebrity Competitions, studios and dancers agree that all decisions made by the judges are final, ensuring a respectful and accepted outcome of the adjudication process.

Awards and Recognition

Celebrating achievement is a key part of the competition experience:

Adjudication and Award Levels: All entries are evaluated by a panel of three judges. Awards are presented at various levels: Platinum, High Gold, Gold, Silver, and Bronze, recognizing different levels of achievement and performance quality in celebrity dance competitions.
Nationals Eligibility: Platinum, High Gold, Gold, and Silver award winners qualify for Celebrity Nationals, offering a pathway to higher levels of competition. Bronze award winners are also invited to perform at Nationals for critiques only, providing an opportunity for growth and exposure.

Acrobatic Limitations

Specific categories have limitations on acrobatic elements to ensure fair competition across dance styles:

Defining Acrobatic Skills: An acrobatic skill is defined as any gymnastic-based exercise, including handstands, cartwheels, walkovers, handsprings, aerials, tucks, layouts, and other aerial flipping maneuvers.
Non-Acrobatic Skills: Partner lifts, illusions, and floor rolls like seat rolls and shoulder rolls are not considered acrobatic skills for these limitations.
Category Restrictions: Ballet routines are not allowed to include any acrobatic skills. Jazz, tap, lyrical, and contemporary routines are limited to a maximum of three (3) acrobatic skills per routine. All other categories have no restrictions on the number of acrobatic skills.
Tumbling Pass Count: A tumbling pass is counted as one acrobatic skill. For example, a continuous running roundoff back handspring into a back tuck is considered a single acrobatic skill.

Music Submission Guidelines

To streamline the competition process and embrace eco-friendly practices:

Online Music Upload: Celebrity Dance Competitions are environmentally conscious! All music must be uploaded online at least 5 days before the event through your Celebrity Online Account.
USB Backup: Always bring backup copies of your music on a USB drive as a precaution.
Music Cueing: Ensure all music tracks are cued up to the start and ready to play immediately.
Music Format Restrictions: Music submissions on CDs, phones, tablets, or computers are not accepted.
Music File Check: It is crucial to check your music files before the competition to avoid any technical issues.
Music Delay Penalty: Music delays caused by technical issues may result in a 5-point deduction, highlighting the importance of proper preparation.

Singing and Microphone Usage

Microphone use is regulated to maintain fairness and sound quality:

Live Microphone Categories: Live microphones are permitted only in the “Song & Dance” and “Production” categories.
Microphone Provision: Celebrity provides up to two (2) handheld wireless microphones for routines in the Song & Dance and Production categories.
Restricted Microphone Use: The use of live microphones or tapping into the house sound system is not allowed in any other category.
Live Singing without Microphones: Live singing without a microphone is permitted in all other categories where it is appropriate for the performance style.

Tie-Breaking Procedures

In the event of a tie in scores:

Technical Score Priority: Ties are initially broken by the technical score.
Routine Score Tie-breaker: If a tie persists after considering technical scores, the routine score is used to break the tie.
Judges’ Final Decision: If a tie remains even after considering both technical and routine scores, the final decision rests with the judges.

Tour Calendar and Schedule Flexibility

Flexibility is sometimes necessary in event planning:

Tour Adjustment Rights: Celebrity Dance Competitions reserves the right to adjust the tour schedule at any time, for any reason, including dates, times, and venues.
Regional Competition Hours: Regional competitions may start as early as 8:00 AM on Friday and conclude as late as 9:30 PM on Sunday.
Communication for Time Constraints: If unique time constraints require events to operate outside these hours, Celebrity will make efforts to contact studio representatives during scheduling.
Schedule Based on Event Size: The final schedule is determined by the size and scope of each event.

Schedule Access and Welcome Packet

Staying informed is easy with online resources:

Online Schedule and Welcome Packet: The final schedule and Welcome Packet are accessible through your Celebrity Online Account, powered by DanceEra, at least 10 days before your event.
Email Notifications: Dancers who have previously attended a Celebrity event or have an existing Celebrity Online Account will receive email notifications when the schedule is available.
Account Creation: If you don’t have an account, you can create one by selecting the “REGISTER” button or by clicking the provided link, ensuring easy access to event information for everyone involved in celebrity dance competitions.
Account Utility: This same online account is used to download complimentary photos and videos and view medal rankings after the event, consolidating all essential competition resources in one place.

Hotel Accommodations

For convenient and comfortable stays:

Preferred Hotel Rates: Celebrity secures partnerships with select hotels to offer preferred rates for competition attendees.
Hotel Options by Location: Hotel options are listed under each event location on the Celebrity website, simplifying travel arrangements.
Potential Rebates: Some hotel rates may include a rebate that benefits Celebrity Dance Competitions.

Conduct Expectations

Maintaining a respectful and positive atmosphere is everyone’s responsibility:

Appropriate Behavior: Dancers and audience members are expected to behave appropriately at all times, including in dressing rooms, backstage areas, on stage, and in the audience. This fosters a supportive and enjoyable environment for all participants in the celebrity dance competition.

Photo and Video Policy

Capturing memories is important, but needs to be managed to avoid disruption:

No Guest Photography/Videography: Guests are not permitted to take photos or videos during routines to minimize distractions and ensure the focus remains on the performers and the professional media capture provided by Celebrity.
Complimentary Media: For Celebrity Regional Events, photos and videos are provided complimentary and are available for download through Celebrity Dancer Accounts.
Media Access: Dancers can only access photos and videos for the routines they are registered in, ensuring privacy and organized media distribution.
Download Availability: Photos and videos will be available for download approximately 5 days after your event, allowing time for processing and upload.

Online Registration Benefits

Online registration offers numerous advantages:

Ease of Online Registration: Celebrity offers the convenience of online registration for competitions through their website.
Online Account Features: Your online account allows you to enter routines, make payments, view Welcome Packets, upload music, access competition schedules, and ultimately save time on administrative tasks related to celebrity dance competitions.
Registration Access: Click on the “Registration” Tab on the Celebrity Website to access these features.
Payment Options: Payment can be made by check (with stipulations) or credit card over the phone.
Contact Information: For any questions, contact the Celebrity Offices at 877.326.2394.

Entry Policies

Understanding entry terms is crucial before registering:

Final and Nonrefundable Entries: All entries are final and nonrefundable, without exceptions.
Online Entry Platform: Entries must be submitted through the Celebrity Website.
Entry Change Restrictions: No changes to competition entries are allowed within 10 days of the event start without incurring a change fee and final payment.
Competition Limits: Competitions have limited space based on time and availability.
First-Come, First-Served Basis: Entry is open on a first-come, first-served basis, emphasizing the benefit of early registration to secure your spot at a Celebrity Dance Regional Event.
Online Account for Policies and Deadlines: Log into your Celebrity Online Account for detailed registration policies and deadlines, ensuring you have the most up-to-date information.

Pricing Information

Transparency in pricing is provided through studio accounts:

Pricing in Studio Accounts: Pricing details are available within studio accounts under the “pricing” tab.
Studio Administration Fees: Studios may apply their own administration fees in addition to Celebrity’s pricing.

Payment Details

Understanding payment procedures ensures smooth transactions:

Payment Methods: Payments can be made by check (with stipulations) or credit card.
Check Payment Details: Make all checks payable to “Celebrity Dance Competitions, LLC” and mail to the provided address.
Check Acceptance Deadline: Business and personal checks are only accepted if received 35 days prior to your event.
Secured Funds/Credit Card for Late Payments: Only checks with secured funds or credit cards are accepted after the 35-day deadline.
Space Release for Non-Payment: Competition space may be released if payment is not received by the deadline, underscoring the importance of timely payment.

Liability and General Disclaimer

Participation involves understanding and accepting certain conditions:

Liability Waiver and Release

Release of Liability: By entering Celebrity Dance Competitions, participants acknowledge and agree that Celebrity Dance Competitions, its affiliates, employees, contractors, and staff are not responsible for any injury, accident, or financial responsibility.
Competitor’s Insurance: The competitor’s own insurance policy is the sole source of reimbursement for any incidents. This applies to all attendees, including audience members, guests, family, friends, spectators, studio owners, and teachers.
Promotional Media Use: Celebrity reserves the right to use photos and videos from events for promotional purposes indefinitely.
Official Studio Representative Agreement: The official studio representative agrees that they have informed all parents/guardians and spectators of these policies, ensuring everyone is aware of the terms of participation in celebrity dance competitions.

Terms and Conditions Agreement

Event Participation Agreement: By registering, attending, viewing, or participating in a Celebrity Event, you acknowledge full responsibility and forever release and discharge Celebrity Competitions and all associated entities from any liabilities arising from event participation.
No Financial Responsibility for Injury: Participants understand that Celebrity Dance Competitions and associated entities are not financially responsible for injuries and will not offer any reimbursement.
Media Usage Rights Acknowledgment: You acknowledge Celebrity Competitions’ right to use any media forms for promotional materials indefinitely.
Rule and Regulation Agreement: By participating, you agree to abide by all rules and regulations set forth by Celebrity Competitions.
Right to Vacate Premises: Celebrity Competitions reserves the right to ask anyone violating policies to leave the premises without hesitation.
Nonrefundable Entries: All entries are final and nonrefundable.
Rule Change Rights: Celebrity may change its rules and policies at any time.
Governing Law: All rules, policies, and legal matters are governed by the laws of Arizona, exclusively.

Conclusion

Participating in a celebrity dance competition is an exciting opportunity to showcase your talent and passion for dance. By understanding and adhering to these rules and guidelines, you can ensure a smooth, fair, and enjoyable experience for yourself, your studio, and everyone involved. Prepare to take the stage, embrace the challenge, and celebrate the art of dance at Celebrity Dance Competitions! Register today and be part of the excitement!