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Southern Dance Festival
Home
Rules & Conditions
Our Sponsors
Contact Us
2025 schedule
  • 2025 schedule
  • child safety policy
More
  • Home
  • Rules & Conditions
  • Our Sponsors
  • Contact Us
  • 2025 schedule
    • 2025 schedule
    • child safety policy
  • Home
  • Rules & Conditions
  • Our Sponsors
  • Contact Us
  • 2025 schedule
    • 2025 schedule
    • child safety policy

Rules & Conditions

Enforced Rules and Conditions


THE COMPETITION COMMITTEE WILL ENFORCE THE FOLLOWING RULES.

FAILURE TO ABIDE BY THESE RULES COULD LEAD TO DISQUALIFICATION


GENERAL RULES AND CONDITIONS

1. All competitors dance completely at their own risk.

2. Costumes, choreography and musical lyrics must be age appropriate and family

friendly. The adjudicator or a committee member may stop the competition at any

time if they feel that the content of a routine is not age or audience appropriate.

3. NOVICE is a competitor who has NOT won 1st, 2nd or 3rd place in the section/s

they wish to enter at any time in any competition. Any competitor who has placed for

the first time after our closing date may remain in novice for that year. 6 years and

under sections are excluded from this rule.

4. If a competitor leaves the stage before the end of an item other than through any

fault of the committee, they may return at the end of the section and dance for a

critique only except in Championship sections.

5. Only short tutus may be worn in Classical solo items.

6. Competitors must appear in the order in which their names are listed in the

programme and may only appear once in any section, including duos/trios and

troupes. Competitors arriving after their number has been called, but before the end

of the section, will be allowed to dance at the end of the section for a critique only.

Proceedings will not be delayed due to the late arrival of a competitor.

7. Tap shoes must not be worn in the auditorium.

8. Any item already performed must not be repeated in any sections, including

special sections. VCE Dance items must not be repeated in the Choreographic

championship.

9. Any audience member whose conduct is distracting to competitors will be asked to

leave the auditorium. Inappropriate behavior will not be accepted at any time.

Respect for all committee members, volunteers, competitors, and property of the

venue is expected at all times.

10. A competitor may not dance a routine from a previous teacher, having left that

school, unless permission in writing has been granted by the former teacher, and

provided to the committee.

11. In a medical emergency or accident situation, the Committee reserves the right to

call an ambulance. Any cost incurred will be charged to the parent/guardian

concerned.

12. Any protest must be lodged in writing to a member of the committee, within one

hour of the completion of the section, accompanied by a deposit of $20. If the protest

is deemed to be unsubstantiated, the $20 will be donated to the Festival’s charity.

13. A competitor pass may not entitle entry to the theatre for all sections.

Competitors may be asked to vacate the auditorium if there are insufficient seats for

paying audience members.

14. At the Solo Venue, there is to be NO smoking in the buildings or grounds. This is

a State Government requirement.

15. Perpetual Trophies must be returned to the committee prior to or at the

commencement of the following year’s competition. Trophies are to be returned in

the condition in which they were presented and engraved with the successful

recipient’s name. Any costs incurred by the committee in rectifying a damaged

trophy or engraving etc., will be the responsibility of the previous year’s winner.

16. Any competitor may be photographed by an official photographer or member of

the committee or their delegate during the Festival. These photos may be used on

the official Festival social media sites or in printed material. If you wish to opt out,

please let the committee know in writing prior to the Festival commencing.

17. Dancers are not permitted side stage until they are the next performer.

18. All information in the Schedule forms part of these rules.


ADJUDICATOR

19. The adjudicator’s decision is final, and no correspondence will be entered into.

20. Communication with the adjudicator at any time during the competition by any

persons other than members of the committee, is strictly forbidden.

21. Competitors will be ineligible to enter Southern Dance Festival if they have been

taught dance or coached by an adjudicator in the 12 months immediately preceding

the start of the Festival. Competitors may not perform any routine choreographed by

an adjudicator.

22. The committee reserves the right to substitute an adjudicator or appoint a

co-adjudicator as it sees fit.

23. Where only one competitor is present, they will be adjudicated to such standard

as the adjudicator deems appropriate.

AGE

24. Competitor’s age at 1

st January 2025.

25. All competitors must have proof of age ready to present if requested. Failure to

do so will result in the competitor not being able to compete or in the case of already

having competed, being disqualified.

COPYRIGHT

26. In accordance with federal laws, competitors must use original music or have

permission from the relevant owners of the copyright. The committee will not be

responsible for any copyright infringements.

27. No recording devices of any nature may be used in the auditorium or change

rooms other than by the official videographer or photographer or a committee

member or their delegate. Any patron using a recording device must leave the

auditorium immediately and delete any footage taken.


ENTRIES

28. Entries must be lodged via MyCompHQ before the closing date and

accompanied by the correct payment.

29. There will be no refunds, credits or exchanges for any sections entered where a

competitor is no longer able to attend, has been entered incorrectly or has been

disqualified. It is the responsibility of the entrant to ensure they enter the correct

section.

30. Sections may be combined at the committee’s discretion if there are insufficient

numbers.

31. In solo sections, competitors may only enter in their own age group and only in

novice or open (not both).

32. In Championship sections, if there are fewer than 10 competitors, prize money

may be reduced from that advertised.

MUSIC

33. Competitors must upload their music to MyCompHQ by the date advised by the

committee once the system is available for use. Any other form of music will no

longer be accepted.

34. Music downloaded into MyCompHQ must contain all fades, stops etc required by

the dancer. These will not be added by Festival staff.

35. Song & Dance and Song & Tap sections must not have recorded vocal in any

part of the item. Pre-recorded music must not contain tapping beats for any tap item.

36. All items will be timed from when the competitor begins to perform, or

commencement of their music, whichever comes first. If an item is over time the

competitor will be disqualified.


SPECIAL EFFECTS AND PROPS

37. No breakable items including but not limited to glass, mirrors and ceramics, loose

glitter, fresh fruit, flowers, hay or vegetables will be permitted. If in doubt, please

contact the committee before submitting entries. Props considered dangerous by the

committee will be disallowed.

38. The competitor is responsible for cleaning up after the use of props. If the

competition needs to be stopped to clean up the stage after a prop, the competitor

will be disqualified. No props are to be left side stage or backstage after the routine

is completed.

39. Troupe and solo props should be of a size that can be handled easily by the

competitor/s. Props must be supplied by the competitor/s eg: tables, chairs etc. at

the venue are not to be used.

40. No person/s other than the competitor/s is permitted on stage during solo or

duo/trio performance to assist the competitor/s.

41. Lighting which requires a change to the lighting board are prohibited during

Solos, Duo/Trios or Awards unless otherwise notified by the committee. Lighting

sheets for troupes performing at The Drum must be completed correctly and

returned by the due date.

42. Full Curtain is permitted only for troupes and championship sections. Half curtain

is permitted for any item, provided props are involved in the item and the half curtain

is operated by a teacher.

TEACHERS’ RESPONSIBILITIES

43. No competitor may dance in both halves of divided troupe sections or appear

more than once in a section, unless section is combined at Committee’s discretion.

Should this occur both troupes will be disqualified.

44. All teachers entering troupes must upload to MyCompHQ a list of all troupe

members (in age groups).

45. Troupe rehearsals must only be conducted in the allocated changing space at

The Drum. Dancers at Solo Venue should use the rehearsal area for short

rehearsals only. Priority will be given to items in the current section or the section

about to commence.


GENERAL RULES

46. Southern Dance Festival is open to amateurs only. An amateur is one who does

not derive a regular income from the Performing Arts. Students attending a full-time

dance course (more than 15 hours per week) or teaching unsupervised for more

than 6 hours per week will not be eligible to enter Solo, Duo/Trio, Own Choreography

and Championship sections.

Performers deriving an income from part time or occasional professional dance or

attending a full-time dance course or teaching for more than 6 hours per week will be

eligible to compete in Troupe Sections providing that these performers make up no

more than 25% of the overall troupe. If you are unsure of your individual status,

please contact the committee.

47. One person only will be allowed side-stage with competitors in solo and duo/trio

sections for the duration of the item. Coaching from off-stage during a performance

will not be allowed, except for Under 6 sections.

48. During championship sections, only the competitor on stage may have one

person side stage. All other competitors, teachers etc must wait in the green room.

49. Each dancer entering one or more Championship sections must provide a

volunteer to work one entire shift at the Festival. If multiple siblings performing in

Championship sections, only one volunteer per family is required. The volunteer

must hold a valid Working with Children Check card. Disqualification may result to

any dancer not producing the requisite volunteer.

50. Troupes are to have a minimum of six competitors dancing.

51. Teachers are permitted side-stage throughout the festival with the exception of

championships sections.

52. If the Festival is unable to proceed due to COVID-19 restrictions, entries will be

refunded minus the MyCompHQ and administration fees.

53. The Southern Dance Festival Committee reserves the right to implement

policies, procedures, restrictions and requirements for the running of the 2025

Southern Dance Festival to comply with government restrictions. All competitors and

others who attend the dance venue are required to comply with such policies,

procedures, restrictions, and requirements and may be required to provide contact

details. There may also be delays in relation to hygiene and sanitization procedures

implemented by the Committee that need to be adhered to for the safety of our

competitors, audience members, family members and volunteers.

54. The committee can and will make any changes to the rules or running of the

Festival, both before and during the Festival, which are required to ensure

compliance with governmental guidelines, rules and restrictions relevant to the time.

It is the responsibility of competitors to ensure that they follow all such rules and the

advice of the Committee.

55. Tights must be worn by all competitors wearing a leotard or tutu.

56. Southern Dance Festival is not responsible for care of an individual's personal

and private belongings; including props, phones or costumes.

57. Southern Dance Festival is committed to Child Safety. Please refer to SDF Child

Safety Statement and Code of Conduct 2025 for expected behaviour and care. All

competitors should be under the direct care and supervision of a parent, guardian or

teacher at all times with the exception of when they are being held side stage during

their section(s), whereby they will be supervised by Southern Dance Festival

volunteers.


GENRE DEFINITIONS

Character: a clear portrayal of a character or story by acting ability and expressive

dancing using classical technique. Use of props is allowed.

Classical Ballet: A performance that must include classical steps and ballet

technique. Ballet or Pointe shoes only to be worn. Only short tutus may be worn in

Classical solo items.

Contemporary: Contemporary dance incorporates abstract and extreme concepts

using unpredictable changes in direction, speed and dynamics.

It combines elements of several dance genres including modern, jazz and classical

ballet.

Hip Hop: A routine that utilizes Hip Hop / Breakdance or Rap movements.

Jazz: A routine using jazz technique including moves such as strong and sharp

movements, splits, kicks, isolations, jumps etc.

Lyrical: Lyrical is expressive dance, focusing on conveying musicality and emotion

through movement. It combines the many technical elements of classical ballet with

aspects of jazz, acro and contemporary.

Musical Theatre/Broadway Jazz: A form of theatrical dancing that combines the

music from a musical or film with the movements of classic jazz styles. Music does

not have to be from the original soundtrack.

National: a theatrically choreographed presentation of a dance from a country.

Dance, costume and music must be authentic to the country portrayed.

Neo Classical: Slow controlled ballet movements, set to slow music or ballad.

Routine must demonstrate balance, flexibility and control utilizing the mood of the

music.

Own Choreography: Must be 100% student produced, no teacher or choreographer

assistance.

Song & Dance: can be either Song & Soft Shoe or Song & Tap. No pre-recorded

vocals allowed in any part of the solo and no pre-recorded tap beats allowed.

Song & Soft Shoe: Routine that must contain both singing and dancing. No

pre-recorded vocals allowed in any part of the solo.

Song & Tap: Routine that must contain both singing and tapping. No pre-recorded

vocals allowed in any part of the solo and no pre-recorded tap beats allowed.

Tap: Any style or tempo of tap permitted. No pre-recorded tap beats are allowed.

Variation/Repertoire: Routine must be from a Classical Ballet. Competitor must

nominate which variation they will be performing. Appropriate costume for the

variation to be worn.

Improvisation: All competitors will hear the music once directly before performing on

stage. Music will be chosen by Adjudicator. Time length could be between 30

seconds-90 seconds, at the Adjudicators discretion. All performers in a section will

be given the same piece of music. All competitors will be kept separate for the

duration of the section, including no teachers of student or support person to be

backstage during this section. Competitors to wear Black Dance Attire with

appropriate footwear. Girls – Black leotard with no headpiece. Boys – Black fitted top

with Black Tights or Bike Shorts.



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