SCORING SYSTEM

How do our adjudicators score routines?

Dance is a performing art.

As dance competition providers, we are putting dance in the ‘competition’ arena of an art-form that does not include the same level of detailed criteria that most well-known sports do.

We acknowledge this can be both confusing & frustrating for teachers, performers & supporters.

The content of competition routines & the concepts and choices for dancers are creative decisions made by teachers & choreographers, to suit the dancers they teach and to showcase these dancers strongest skills.

This content includes choreography, costuming, staging, music choice, story-telling, difficulty of skills & technical training.

Adjudication of creative forms (including dance) is subjective.



Some FAQs we receive as event providers for dance comp adjudication includes….


What is the judging criteria?
Is it the choreography or the dancers technique being adjudicated?
Are the adjudicators looking more at technical ability or stage presence?
What happens if the adjudicator doesn't enjoy the dancers style, costume or music?

Although it is not possible to completely remove the element of subjectivity, to assist teachers & choreographers to create competition work & for dancers & supporters to have some criteria to refer to, Stardom Productions have put together a scoring system to be used at the competitions we event manage.

To develop & implement a stringent set of judging criteria would sadly remove the creative content & entertainment value that our dancers & choreographers find enjoyable & inspiring.

We hope that the new guidelines we are providing will be a helpful tool for providing some clarity & guidance while leaving the door open for the creativity & theatrics our dance community loves.

STARDOM PRODUCTIONS SCORING SYSTEM

Technical Ability 35%

- Degree of difficulty of skills incorporated for age & genre (turns, leaps, kicks, floor work, etc)
- Execution of skills & choreography (sharp/precise footwork, clean lines, finishing every movement, stretched knees & feet, etc).
- Attention to be given to components of the routine which include detailed choreography focusing on co-ordination & musicality- not only ‘trick’ style skills.
- Flexibility | Co-ordination | Balance | Agility
- Posture | Stance | Weight Placement
- Stamina | Endurance |Breath
- Timing | Rhythm
- Dancers should be well-rehearsed and when dancing in a troupe should have well- synchronised timing & movement precision and clear spacing.

Performance Quality 35%

- Mesmerising stage presence & captivating expression
- Clear understanding & portrayal of content/ choreography/style
- Use of musicality & dynamics
- Contagious energy that fills the stage
- Fluid and effortless movement
- Engaging personality & ability to convey emotion through movement
- Interesting and inspiring interpretation of the music
- Captivating storytelling abilities & characterisation
- Seamless transitions between movements & patterns
- Maintaining admiral technical precision to align with performance quality

Staging/Choreography 20%

- Creative, original & dynamic choreography
- Age appropriate choreography including ability level, music choice, themes/concepts & overall presentation
- Use of levels, dynamics, story telling/thematic concepts
- Seamless transitions between movement blocks
- Well choreographed entrances & exits throughout routines
- Creative floor patterns which utilise the entire stage
- For troupes, use of interesting formations & patterns of the dancers.
- Tricks (including acrobatics, lifts & repetitive shows of flexibility or turn sequences) should be used as highlights- not as majority of choreography other than in the Acro Dance sections.

Costuming/Props & Presentation 10%

- Appropriateness of costume choice (age , genre & theme)
- If using props, be clear on their purpose and integration within the routine. Handling of props should be well-rehearsed & stage cleared at end of performance by the dancer/s.
- Polished level of grooming of dancer/s.
- Avoid wardrobe malfunctions at all costs
- Appropriate footwear should be selected for each individual genre

Important Information

• The Scholarship will consist of an Open Class where entrants will be selected for the Finals.

• Finalists will then dance their solo performance.

Please Note: No late entries will be accepted under any circumstances.

Rules & Regulations

1. All scholarship participants perform completely at their own risk.

2. TUDC are not liable for any loss or damage suffered by a participant as a result of any scholarship event being cancelled, postponed or changed.

3. The scholarships are only for students of amateur status. Students cannot derive any regular income from the art form.

4. Participants must appear in the order of which their name appears in the class/program.

5. Any person/s whose conduct is off putting to other participants or the Committee will be asked to leave. If they are a participant they could face disqualification.

6. A breach of any rules or conditions may result in either disqualification of the participant or, at the Committee’s discretion, the student might be asked to dance as a non competing performer.

7. The Committee will not be responsible for any lost property, including uncollected cds.

8. It is incumbent on the teachers/parents to ensure they enter students into the correct section. Any entries that are incomplete, incorrect or not accompanied by full payment of the required & accurate fee will not be processed.

9. Full-time students are eligible to enter providing they enter under the name of their full-time school and the entry form is signed by the principal.

PERFORMANCE – FINALS

1. All finalists are selected from the “Open Class”.

2. Pointe work is optional for female finalists.

3. Short classical tutus must be worn for all girls in Sections B & D – (Final Performance)

4. Finalists arriving late will be allowed to dance at the end of the section as a non competing performer.

5. If a finalist leaves the stage before the end of a solo, other than by fault of the committee, they will be allowed to dance at the end of the section as a non competing performer.

6. Only finalists and/or Committee members are allowed backstage at any time.

7. No rehearsals allowed at any time backstage. Students will be supervised by the Committee whilst warming up on stage for each section.

Open Class Attire – Sections A & C

1. Female – plain coloured leotard (no skirts), tights & ballet shoes (no accessories).

2. Male – tights, a tight fitting top/leotard with socks and ballet

Finalist Prerformance Attire – Sections B & D

1. Female – performance tutu

2. Male – performance costume

Age Restrictions

1. Age is as per the dancers year of birth (age of the dancer on Dec 31, 2022)

2. Competitors may only enter in their own age group.

3. The Committee reserves the right to ask for a Birth Certificate of any participant in any section.

Music Requirements

1. Juniors - No solo may exceed 2 1/2 minutes in length.

2. Seniors - No solo may exceed 3 minutes in length.

3. All items will be timed from the commencement of the performance or music (whichever comes first). Commencement of performance is the commencement of the first step (other than a straight forward walk and placement to starting position).