Rules & 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 af-

ter our closing date may remain in novice for that year. 6 years and under sections are ex-

cluded 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 late arrival of competitor or music.

7. Tap shoes must not be worn in the auditorium. Tap shoes are permitted in the rehearsal 

area, provided they are covered with socks

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 sections or  

Choreographic championship.

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

the auditorium. Inappropriate behaviour will not be accepted at any time. Respect for all 

committee, 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 Carwatha College, 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 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 presents, they will be adjudicated to such standard as the     

adjudicator deems appropriate.

AGE

24.Competitor’s age before 1st

January 2022.

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 Stardom before the closing date and accompanied by the     

correct payment. 

29.Late entries will be accepted with a late fee up to seven days after closing date at the    

discretion of the committee. No late entries will be otherwise accepted.

30.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.

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

32.In solo sections, competitors may only enter in their own age group and only in novice or 

open (not both). 

MUSIC

33.Competitors must upload their music to "Music Uploads" by the date advised by the   

committee once the system is available for use. CD's, USB's and iPods will no longer be 

accepted

34.Song & Dance and Song & Tap sections must not have recorded vocal in any part of the 

item. Recorded vocals may be used in the Revuette but not while competitors are singing. 

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

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

of their music, whichever comes first. If an item is over time the competitor will be          

disqualified.

SPECIAL EFFECTS AND PROPS

36.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. 

37.The competitor is responsible for clean 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.

38.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.

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

performance to assist the competitor/s.

40.Lighting which require a change to the lighting board are prohibited unless otherwise      

notified by the committee. Minor special effects will be considered, but permission from the 

committee must be requested before the Festival.

41. Full Curtain is permitted only fo 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

42.No competitor may dance in both halves of divided troupe sections. Should this occur both 

troupes will be disqualified.

43.All teachers entering troupes must present to the Festival Secretary, via Stardom, a list of 

all troupe members (in age groups), together with the name and date of birth of each  

competitor. 

44.Troupe rehearsals must only be conducted in the rehearsal space and NOT in the      

backstage waiting room. Rehearsal area should only be used for short rehearsals and not 

for lengthy class practices. Priority will be given to items in the current section or the     

section about to commence.

45.Southern Dance Festival is open to amateurs only. An amateur is one who does not derive 

a regular income from the Performing Arts. No full-time dancers are permitted to compete.

46.One person only with a pass/entry wristband 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.

47.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.

48.Each dance school entering from three to ten troupes must provide a volunteer to work one 

entire shift at the Festival. Each dance school entering more than ten troupes must provide 

a volunteer/s to work two entire shifts at the Festival. Disqualification may result to any 

school not producing the requisite volunteer. 

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

50.No coaching permitted but teachers are allowed to encourage students.

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 stardom and administration fees.

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

procedures, restrictions and requirements for the running of the 2022 Southern Dance   

Festival to comply with government restrictions as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. 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 sanitisation 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 

COVID-19 guidelines, rules and restrictions relevant to the time. It is the responsibility of 

competitors to ensure that they follow all such rules and advice of the Committee

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 except street tap. No pre-recorded tap beats are allowed. 

Street tap- industrial hoofing, percussive rhythms No pre-recorded tap beats are allowed. 

Revuette: An entertaining Song & Dance item with a theme or story.  Must contain more than 

one dance style.  A variety of performance features is to be encourage