Open Performing Arts Competition
RULES AND REGULATIONS

Eligibility Requirements
All teachers must have their competition fees paid by the entry deadline. No refunds. Late entries are accepted only if time allows. All late entries are subject to a $10.00 late fee per routine.
Entry forms must be typed or clearly printed and submitted to the secretary of DMC by the entry deadline. Only DMC entry forms will be accepted. If forms are not submitted on the proper DMC forms or are incomplete, they will be returned.
Each sponsor member will be required to work a 2-hour shift during the P.A.C. Shifts will try to be scheduled during the time of day when you have the least amount of routines entered. You must meet this requirement or your routines will be disqualified.
DANCE MASTERS OF CALIFORNIA WILL BE DONATING $1.00 PER ENTRY PER PERSON, to a charitable foundation to be decided by the DMC Board. The entry amount reflects our donation! Thank you for your support to this worthy cause.

Age Divisions
  Klub 0 5-6 years of age
  Div. #1 (Petite) 7-9 years of age
  Div. #2 (Junior) 10-12 years of age
  Div. #3 (Teen) 13-15 years of age
  Div. #4 (Senior) 16 and up
  Div. #5 Pro-Am
  Div. #6 40+
Reminders
* To determine Age Division, calculate the average age of all contestants in the routine, as of the competition date, and drop the decimal point.
* No child under the age of 5 will be allowed to compete in Dance Masters of California's Performing Arts Competition, birth certificates should be available upon request.
* Professional will be defined as someone 18 or over and one of the following:
    - a staff member employed by a dance studio to teach making 50% of their livable wage
    - a student who receives more than $10,000 per year as a teacher or a professional dancer
    - holding membership in a professional dance teachers organization
* No one (regardless of average age) may compete in an age division more than one division lower than the oldest participating dancer.
* Please note: at the national level, age divisions may vary.
 
Dance Categories Entry Fees
  Duo/Trio 2-3 dancers $ 36.00 each
  Groups 4-8 dancers $ 26.00 each
  Small Lines 9-15 dancers $ 26.00 each
  Large Lines 16 or more dancers $ 26.00 each
  Production 12 dancers minimum $ 26.00 each
  Extended 4 or more dancers $ 26.00 each
  Pro-Am Groups   $ 26.00 each
  Pro-Am Lines   $ 26.00 each
  Choreographers Challenge   $ 25.00 each
Subjects
  Tap Routine consisting of 50% or more of tap technique. Routine may not include more than three acro tricks.
  Jazz Routine executing free form movement in styling characteristic of jazz dance. Routine may not include more than three acro tricks.
  Ballet Ballet technique and movement performed in ballet or pointe shoes. May not include any acro tricks.
  Lyrical a dance style that incorporates the interpretation of the lyrics of the song or the lyrical quality of the music. May not include more than three acro tricks.
  Musical Theater a dance style based on Broadway or Movie Musicals, may denote comedy, depict a character, relay a story, or create a theatrical mood. Pantomime (lipsync) and singing are permitted.
  Production routines that carry out a theme or story. Must have 12 dancers minimum - all ages. The scores of production routines that do not carry out theme or story will have deductions.
  Hip Hop stylized dance incorporating some jazz technique.
  Modern/Contemporary A routine made up of an abstract style of movement based on principles of modern dance, such as space, force, weight and time. May be reflective of other dance styles.
  Acro-Gymnastics any routine involving more than 3 acro-tricks must be entered in this subject.
  Open routines that incorporate more than one form of dance, an ethnic dance, or any routine that does not fit in any other category.
  Choreographers Challenge a routine entered into this category must be performed to a version of "Somewhere Over The Rainbow". The choreographer may choose the version of the music, style of the routine, and number of dancers.
** Props, in all categories except production, must be a functional and integral part of the routine. Food or open beverages are not allowed as props. No fire, swords or helium. Please fill in the prop indication on your application. If the director deems props to be unsafe, the routine may be disqualified.
 
Time Limits
  Duo/Trio 2:50 minutes maximum
  Groups/Lines 3:00 minutes maximum
  Production 8:00 minutes maximum
  Extended 6:00 minutes maximum
  Choreographers Challenge 3:00 minutes maximum
Entrances and exits must be brief.
A one-point deduction per second of overtime will apply after the 5-second leeway period.

Music
Music may be on a CD, but there must only be one song per CD
CDs are preferred; however, high quality tapes may be used.
Tapes must be cued to the beginning of the music.
CD's or Tapes must be clearly marked with the music title, competition routine number and teacher code.
A back-up tape must be provided if necessary.
Audible taps, added to music, are not allowed.

Judging
Decisions of the judges are final. If, in judging, the judges feel a routine is not in the correct subject, they have the right to move it to its appropriate subject.
All routines will be individually ADJUDICATED. All contestants will be awarded either a PLATINUM, GOLD, HIGH SILVER, SILVER, HIGH BRONZE or BRONZE place adjudication, as determined by point scoring.
A routine with a PLATINUM, GOLD, HIGH SILVER or SILVER , entered by a member of Dance Masters of California or Dance Masters of America, will be eligible to compete at the DMA National Competition. (Some National rules may differ from our local rules. Please refer to the National rules if necessary.)
Important: Routines shall be in good taste and costumes shall be appropriate. Any routine, costume and/or music the judges deem not in keeping with the dignity of DMC may effect your over-all placement.

Awards: Duo/Trio, Groups, Lines, Extended and Production
HIGH POINT” awards will be awarded in each age division. To receive the high point award, routine
must either have a PLATINUM, GOLD, HIGH SILVER OR SILVER place adjudication.
At least ONE of the participants must change to place more than once in “High Point.”

The Highest scoring group/line in each age division, as well as the highest scoring extended and production, may receive a $100.00 scholarship. The Highest scoring duo-trio in each age division may receive a $75.00 scholarship.
*Each age division must have a minimum of 4 routines to qualify for the scholarship monies.
The Highest scoring duo-trio, group/line from each age division and the highest scoring production and
extended may perform at the DMC Showcase of Talent (if applicable). All award winners will give
permission to DMC for the use of their name, image, likeness, or photograph in DMC publications.

*** Scholarship Monies will be awarded to the teacher

Additional Information
Contestants must report backstage and be ready to perform at their designated times. Contestants performing in more than one routine must take all of their costumes backstage before their first routine.
Contestants in costume must stay backstage. Contestants in costumes are not permitted in the theater at any time, a 5 point deduction may incur.
The Sponsor Teacher or Line Captain must have their own competition tape/CD. Make sure your tapes/CD are clearly marked with the appropriate information,(only one song per CD).
You must provide a back up tape/CD if necessary. Please be sure to pick up your tape/CD immediately after your performance.
Contestants will remain backstage until their routine number is called. Your routine will be called three numbers prior to your performance. When your routine is called, you must report to the stage door, with your music, ready to perform.
All contestants will be escorted to the stage for award distribution. Line Captains will line up in COSTUME backstage to receive adjudication awards. IF a line captain is not in costume they will not be able to receive their award on stage. Once the Line Captain has received the adjudication award, they will join their group on stage. After all adjudication awards are presented, placement trophies will be distributed.
Competitors shall act in a positive manner, off stage, as well as on stage.
Please make sure your contestants and Line Captains understand what is expected of them and are aware of their responsibilities.

Sponsor Teacher, Teacher of Recognition, and Chaperones are solely responsible for their contestants and spectators, and will be held accountable for the safety and well being of the entrant during their stay at the DMC Performing Arts Competition. Sponsor Teacher, Teacher of Recognition, and Chaperones collectively assume all responsibility for entrant’s behavior, entrant’s class attendance, entrant’s proper nourishment, and that the entrant is dressed and groomed properly for various events of the competition and convention. Please take time to explain these rules and regulations to them to avoid point deductions or disqualification.
No video taping or photography including digital and cell phone cameras allowed at any time during the competition. Disqualification may occur if this rule is not followed. Videotapes will be available for sale at the PAC.

NO REHEARSING IS ALLOWED IN THE CONVENTION CENTER, HOTEL, OR STAGE. FOOD AND DRINKS ARE ABSOLUTELY NOT ALLOWED IN THE THEATER OR DRESSING ROOMS. A $400.00 cleaning fee will be charged to the sponsor member if this rule is violated.
Infraction of any rule or regulation may result in a five-point deduction or disqualification.
Score sheets, participation awards and judges' tapes can be picked up at the end of the competition at the registration desk.

Dance Masters of America Performing Arts Standards
Inappropriate or sexually suggestive movements should not be a part of any performance in any DMA competition, and should be evaluated as such. Scores will be lowered accordingly.
Costuming such as thongs, bikini bottoms or tops that allow exposure of the private body parts or that is not age appropriate will be evaluated as such. Scores will be lowered accordingly.

Vulgar, profane or suggestive language in music is not acceptable for our family audiences. Music that is not age appropriate or carries a message that is not appropriate will evaluated as such and scores will be lowered accordingly.

For more information please contact:

Dance Masters of California
C/O Joy Sinnott
P.O. Box 700397
San Jose CA 95170-0397
phone: (408) 926-0221
Email: DanceMasters13@aol.com


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