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.