2012 Rules & Regulations

Please read carefully. Failure to comply with the rules below could result in disqualification.

General Information

All Elite Top First, Top First, First and High Second Place winners are eligible to participate in National Dance Finals. Official online entries must be completed in their entirety. Studio Directors must check the release clause on every Official Entry submitted. ENTRIES MUST BE received in our office 28 days prior to competition date. Entries will be accepted on a first come, first served basis and will be limited to the amount of performance time available. There will be a $15 late fee per routine after deadline date. No entries will be processed without full payment. Only Visa, Master Card, Studio checks, money orders or cashier checks will be accepted. Individual personal checks will not be honored. All returned checks are subject to a $25 service fee. Payment of entries sent after the deadline date must be in the form of a Cashier’s Check or Money Order. KAR reserves the right to add additional competition days or move the competition location due to unforeseen circumstances. KAR also reserves the right to cancel any event that does not meet the minimal number of acceptable entries. In the event this should occur, all entry fees will be refunded. There will be NO refunds on entries after the minimum numbers of entries have been received and the competition has been confirmed. Admission is free and the general public is welcomed. Doors will open exactly 30 minutes prior to the first performance time. Photography & Videography is STRICTLY PROHIBITED during any performance.[FDC Rule]. This includes computers that are being used for the immediate download of photos. Failure to comply with this ruling may result in a 1 point per judge deduction to the act being recorded and/or photographed and confiscation of the recording and/or photographs. It is the dance studio's responsibility to inform their students and parents of this rule. No food, drinks or smoking is allowed in the contest area or inside the venue. All participating teachers, dancers and spectators are expected to display good sportsmanship. Failure to comply could result in immediate disqualification and loss of privileges to participate in future KAR Competitions.

Type of Entries

Type of Entries-Solos, Duet/Trios (duets and trios will compete against each other), Small Group (4-9 performers), Large Group (10-19 performers), Line (20 or more performers), Super Line (15 or more performers, may include all levels), Production (15 or more performers. Productions MUST portray a story line. Props and sets are encouraged. Productions, like Super Lines, may include performers of all levels).

Time Limits

Time Limits-All Solo, Duet/Trio must be limited to 2:45 minutes, Small Group must be limited to 3:00 minutes, and all large Groups & Lines must be limited to 4:00 minutes. Super Line routines have a 5:00 minute time limit. Production routines have an 8-minute time limit for performance and a 5-minute time limit for set-up of props. (Extended time is available for small group, large groups, lines and productions only; up to 1:00 minute for $2.00 per performer) Dancers are expected to perform in the order published, unless the competition director grants special permission or it has been pre-approved in the office prior to the competition and the office has put it in writing. Unauthorized delays of the performance schedule will result in a 1 point per judge deduction and/or disqualification. Routines not performing within 10 acts after their scheduled act number will not be eligible for overall awards, unless it has been pre-approved in the office or by the director. Routines not completed will also receive a 1 point per judge deduction. Re-performances that are not the result of a technical failure will not be re-adjudicated. A tentative schedule with the performance time of each act will be available online via the "Studio Center" one week prior to the competition. Contestants in the first 10 acts competing should arrive in full costume including hair and make-up and ready to perform. All other competing dancers must be ready to perform one hour prior to their scheduled performance time. **If the competition is running ahead of schedule, dancers are expected to perform in order of the program and / or when called upon backstage.

Music

Each entry must furnish their music on a high quality, individual CD. Music submitted on ipods will not be accepted. All CDs must contain only one song, recorded at their appropriate speed and properly cued. Song title, name of contestant, and name of dance studio must also be clearly marked on CD. Teachers must submit all music at the registration table upon check-in, where it will be labeled with a studio code and act number. It is highly recommended that contestants bring back-up music in the event of a malfunction of the original CD submitted. Music can be picked up at the registration table at the conclusion of each presentation of awards. CD's that are not claimed at the end of the competition will be discarded unless previous arrangements were made with the KAR office. FOR THE NATIONAL TITLE COMPETITION, a separate CD for title must be turned in along with the CD for regular competition.

Age Divisions

Age Divisions are as follows: 4 & under, 5-6, 7-8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15-16, 17-19, and Adult 20 & Up. AGE DIVISIONS ARE DETERMINED AS OF JANUARY 1ST CUT OFF. November and December competition ages must be bumped up to the dancer’s age as of January 1, 2011. The average age will determine the age group for Duet/Trios, Groups, and Lines. When determining the average age of a dance, always drop the decimal. Ages and birth dates must appear on entry form. Contestants will be responsible for showing proof of age to competition directors should a question arise. All contestants must compete in the same age category at nationals as they did at the regional competition. Substitution of dancers from the regional qualifying entry is permitted in all divisions/categories except solos as long as it does not change the qualifying age or level of the regional routine. There must be at least 50% of the original dancers from the regional qualifying entry. All music must remain the same. Increases and reductions of dancers are permitted if it does not change the qualifying age and level of the regional routine. 2011 National Finals Top 5 High Point Overall Winners or Star Showcase participants must enter new routines at the 2012 Regional competitions and National Finals.

Levels and Guidelines

The level of performance, (REACREATIONAL,PRIMARY, SECONDARY, INTERMEDIATE, ELITE, TEACHER AND ADULT) should be determined at the discretion of the teacher using the given guidelines. Only count years of competition experience after the age of 6. In the placement of duets, trios, groups and lines, competition experience must be averaged. Age and Technical ability must also be considered. A Soloist may only compete in different levels with routines consisting of non-related dance disciplines. If a Solo, Duet/Trio, Group or Line is awarded the Over-All High Point award at a National Finals, this exact Solo, Duet/Trio, Group or Line group must move up to the next level if age appropriate. A dancer may only compete in the maximum of two levels. These levels must be consecutive; therefore skipping a level is not allowed. For example: a Secondary level dancer may also compete in either the Primary or Intermediate level, but can never compete in the Primary, Secondary and Intermediate levels (competing in 3 levels in not allowed). A Secondary dancer may never compete in the Elite level because this would be skipping a level, which is not allowed. The exception to this rule is in the Super Line and the Production Category, which are non-leveled performance categories. If there is a mixture of different dancers and level abilities in a routine, this routine may only compete one level lower than the highest leveled dancer. For example, if an Elite dancer is in a mixed leveled group or line, this routine can only compete in the Intermediate Level and not in the Secondary Level. Remember - a dancer can only compete in a maximum of two consecutive level abilities and may never skip a level. In mixed level routines, at least 50% of the dancers must be from the level that they are competing in, with the exception of duets. Duets must compete in the highest age approved level ability of the two dancers. Since a dancer cannot skip a level and a duet must compete in the higher of the two levels, a secondary dancer MAY NOT compete a duet with an Elite dancer, a primary dancer MAY NOT compete duet with an intermediate dancer, and a primary dancer MAY NOT compete a duet with an Elite dancer. If 50% of dancers in a group are in one level and 50% in another, the group must compete in the highest level. Please contact our office if you need further clarification of our levels and guidelines. Any infractions of the rules & regulations will result in a point deduction and/or disqualification.

RECREATIONAL LEVEL - Dancers who take no more than 3 hours of dance class per week. This level is for novice and non-competitive dancers. There are no solos, duet or trios in this level. Recreational dancers can only perform a maximum of 3 recreational routines. Recreational dancers cannot compete in the SECONDARY, INTERMEDIATE or ELITE levels, but may perform in the non-leveled super line and production categories.

PRIMARY LEVEL - Dancers with 0 to 2 year of competition experience who are 14 years of age or under. This level is designated for the younger, less experienced dancer.

SECONDARY LEVEL - Dancers with 2 to 4 years of competition experience. If a dancer has 4 or more years of competition experience and is above the age 11, the INTERMEDIATE LEVEL should be considered.

INTERMEDIATE LEVEL - Dancers with 4 to 7 years of competition experience. If a dancer has 7 or more years of competition experience and is above the age 14, then the ELITE LEVEL should be considered.

ELITE LEVEL - Dancers with at least 7 years of competition experience and generally 14 years of age or older. Dancers in the ELITE LEVEL should display higher technical skill and abilities then the INTERMEDIATE LEVEL dancers.

TEACHER LEVEL - Any routine in which a teacher 20 years of age and above performs. All TEACHER LEVEL routines are ineligible for Top Studio Awards or High Point Cash Awards. Student teachers ages 19 and under are permitted to compete in the regular competition.

ADULT LEVEL - Any routine which consists of non-teaching adults. All ADULT LEVEL routines are ineligible for Top Studio Awards or High Point Cash Awards.

Categories of Dance

BALLET - Routine should contain ballet technique incorporating classic movements.

POINTE - Routine must consist of pointe/toe technique. (This category is not permitted in the Primary Level.)

JAZZ - Routine must consist of jazz technique; splits and floor rolls are permissible.

TAP - Routine consisting primarily of tap technique.

LYRICAL JAZZ - Routine consisting of dynamic emotion and expressive movements demonstrated with fluidity, balance, extension and control.

MODERN - Routine consisting of interpretive movements using contemporary/modern technique.

FOLK/ETHNIC - Routine must utilize folkloric/ethnic style of dance such as Hawaiian, Spanish, Polkas and Clogging.

**In the above dance categories, only three gymnastic tricks are permissible. A deduction of 1 point per judge will result for routines that do not comply. Minimum lip syncing and talking are permitted if a character is not portrayed.

ACRO/GYMNASTICS - Routine using controlled movements and flexibility, walkovers, aerials, backhand springs, etc. Must incorporate dance technique.

SONG AND DANCE - Routine containing both singing and dancing of any type. KAR will provide 1 hand held microphone only. No additional sound equipment or microphones may be used or connected to KAR's sound system.

POM PON - Routine using pom pons with incorporation of precise and definite movements.

NOVELTY - Routine featuring any style of dance that is novelty or theme based in nature portraying a recognizable character.

MUSICAL THEATRE - Routine featuring any style of dance from a Broadway, Movie or Television Show.

HIP HOP/FUNK - Routine demonstrating street style of jazz that incorporates hip hop and/or funk choreography. Acrobatics and break dancing is permissible.

OPEN - Routine demonstrating any dance style or combination of dance styles.

SUPER LINE - Must utilize at least 15 dancers incorporating any style of dance or combination of dance styles -This category is not divided by age and is designated for routines that include all levels of dancers. Super Line routines should not portray a theme or storyline and are limited to 5 minutes. These routines must be clearly indicated on the online entry form. All Super Line routines will compete against each other and will be presented with separate High Point awards and Cash Prizes.

PRODUCTION - Routine must utilize at least 15 dancers incorporating any style of dance that portrays a theme or storyline throughout. There will be no age division or level for Production entries. Props are encouraged, but must be free standing. Production routines are given a maximum of 5 minutes for set-up. When moving scenery, please be careful not to slide props which may damage the marley dance floor. Production routines must compete in their scheduled order or points will be deducted. If the weight of a prop exceeds the maximum weight limit for a built stage, or the director feels the weight of the prop is a safety hazard, the dancers will not be allowed to use the prop.

Dancers must perform in their scheduled order unless permission is given for costume changes. Points will be deducted from routines that do not comply. Dancers who do not perform within 10 acts of their given schedule time will be ineligible for high point awards. The only exception to this rule is if the KAR office has prior notification or the competition director has pre-approved the delay. If stage is littered during a routine, please be ready to clean it up immediately following the performance. No form of liquid, gel, aerosol, glitter, etc. may be used that would affect the dancing surface. [FDC Rule] In addition, dancers must perform their ENTIRE routine on the stage. Performer may not enter or exit the stage from anywhere other than the wings. Jumping off the front of the stage is not permitted. Starting the performance from the audience or ending in the audience is also not permitted. Running in front of the judges table or approaching the panel of judges is also not allowed. No gifts can be presented to the judges in conjunction with a dance routine. Special stage or house lighting will not be provided for any performance. Rehearsing on stage prior to the start of a competition or after the completion of a competition day is strictly prohibited. At no time are teachers, parents or dancers allowed to practice, rehearse or meet on stage.

Prop Rule:
For safety measures, all props (free standing or hand held) are restricted to a maximum height of 15 feet. The use of safety railings is allowed. No form of liquid, gel, aerosol, glitter, etc. may be used that would affect the dancing surface. [FDC Rule]Hanging backdrops and special lighting may not be used. Fire, swords, knives, and use of live animals are prohibited. Helium balloons are only allowed if they are weighted and if permitted by the venue. If the weight of a prop exceeds the maximum weight limit for a built stage, or the director feels the weight of the prop is a safety hazard, the dancers will not be allowed to use the prop. Props must be loaded in and out of venue on the same day they will be used. Storing props in the wings or backstage is not allowed. KAR will not be responsible for props left overnight or unattended. Any special request for the assembling of props must be discussed with the director of the competition upon arrival to the venue.

Title Category

Mr. Petite Dance and Miss Petite Dance: Soloist 8 years of age and younger regardless of level. Mr. Junior Dance and Miss Junior Dance: Soloist 9 through 11 years of age regardless of level. Mr. Teen Dance and Miss Teen Dance: Soloist 12 through 14 years of age competing in any level above Primary. Mr. Dance and Miss Dance: Soloist 15 years of age and over competing in any level above Secondary. Dancers, 20 years of age and over are ineligible for title. The selection will be made based upon the routine displaying the most outstanding performance quality. Titlist will be evaluated on the following elements; 1.) Technique - 20 points total. 2.) Showmanship - 20 points total. 3.) Execution of routine - 20 points total. 4.) Overall performance - 20 points total. 5.) Costume - 20 points total. There is a maximum of 100 points per judge. All solos competing for the title category must be pre-registered. Title routines will be judged at the same time as the solo division. There will be two separate score sheets; one for the solo division and one for the Title category. Female winners will be presented with a Tiara and a Trophy. Male winners will be presented with a Cap and a Trophy. All Title winners will be eligible to compete for the National Title at Finals. A First runner-up will also be announced. All National Title winners are ineligible to compete in the Title category the year of their reign. Example: Miss Dance America 2010 may not compete at a regional for Miss Dance during the 2012 season. Miss Junior Dance America 2010 may compete for Miss Teen at a 2012 regional if she has aged up to that division.

National Title Category

All solos competing for the National Title Category must be a 2011-2012 Regional Title Winner or runner-ups. Dancers must compete with the same title routine that was awarded at the regional competition. If a soloist competes at different regionals and qualifies more than one solo, the soloist may only compete with one of the routines at National Finals. There will be a separate competition for the Title Category held at National Finals. Since there is a separate competition for the National Title Category, dancers must turn in a separate CD for Title at Finals. Female Runner-Ups will be presented with a Tiara, Trophy and Sash. Male Runner-Ups will be presented with a Cap, Trophy and Sash. The National Title Winners will be awarded in the same manner with the addition of a $250 Cash Prize. A minimum of 3 Titlists must be competing in a given division for the full cash prize to be awarded. Please contact our office for further details on the adjustment of cash prizes. All 2010-2011 National Title Winners are ineligible to compete in the 2012 National Title division.

General & Special Awards

Each act that performs will receive a score from five to eight judges at National Finals and three judges at Regional competitions. Awards are based on composite scores and not on placement within an age group in each category. This may result in multiple Elite Top First, Top First, First, and High Second awards given in each age group for each category at Regionals and National Elite Top First, National Top First, National First, and National High Second awards given in each age group for each category. All acts will receive one Trophy per act and individual award pins. Although acts are competing against an adjudicated point system for general awards, all contestants will compete against each other for the Overall High Point awards. If there is only one act competing in a particular division, that act will be judged against a point system. The point break for all given awards are determined by the scoring range of that particular competition. Should an act drop below the minimum number required for the group size during the competition of that particular division, the act will be judged individually, and will be ineligible for High Point Awards.

PHOTOGENIC AWARD - This will be awarded to the contestant judged to be most photogenic. All entries must submit a recent photo no larger than 8' x 10' with name, age, address, phone, and name of studio on back. For Nationals only, all photogenic entries must be in COLOR. Do not mail in photos. All entry fees and photos must be submitted at the competition at least one-hour prior to the Secondary Line Awards. Absolutely no mailed photos or photogenic entry fees will be accepted in the KAR office. Awards will be announced during the Secondary Groups/Lines Award presentations. All photos must be picked up at the registration table by the conclusion of the competition. All photos not claimed at the conclusion of the competition will be discarded unless previous arrangements were made with the KAR office. All National Winning Photographs will not be returned.

MOST ENTERTAINING AWARD - This will be presented by the judges to the Group or Line deemed to be most entertaining.

COSTUME AWARD - This will be awarded to the highest scoring costume based on design, originality, fit and appropriateness. All entries are eligible for this award. In the event of a tie, the judges will select the winner.

JUDGES CHOICE AWARDS - These will be awarded to Groups or Lines displaying outstanding qualities during their performances.

CHOREOGRAPHY OF THE YEAR AWARDS - These prestigious awards will be presented to the choreographers who have displayed exceptional choreography in their routines at National Finals. The Judges will be presenting these awards at Star Showcase. THESE AWARDS ARE GIVEN AT NATIONAL FINALS ONLY.

TEACHER OF THE YEAR AWARD - These prestigious awards will be presented to Teachers whose routines are consistently awarded Top 5 High Point scores at National Finals. The Judges will be presenting these awards at Star Showcase. THESE AWARDS ARE GIVEN AT NATIONAL FINALS ONLY.

STUDIO SPIRIT AWARD - This will be awarded to the studio displaying the most studio spirit, enthusiasm and exceptional sportsmanship. The recipient of this award will be presented with a $250 gift certificate for entry fees to any KAR 2011/2012 regional competition. THESE AWARDS ARE GIVEN AT NATIONAL FINALS ONLY.

High Point Trophies and Cash Awards

High Point Trophies and cash awards will be presented to the top scoring Solos, Duet/Trios, Groups and Lines in the SECONDARY, INTERMEDIATE and ELITE level only. Routines must perform on the same day and before their awards ceremony to be eligible for High Point Awards. A High Point Trophy and Cash award will also be given to the highest scoring SUPER LINE and PRODUCTION ENTRY. There must be at least 10 acts in each division for cash awards to be given. For example, 10 SECONDARY Solos, 10 INTERMEDIATE Solos and 10 ELITE Solos, etc., with the exception of the Super Line and Production category which only requires 5 entries. All Cash awards will be presented to the Studio Director or Teacher. No cash awards will be given in the RECREATIONAL, PRIMARY, TEACHER or ADULT LEVEL, only a High Point Trophy. High Point awards will be divided into 4 age divisions; 8 and under, 9 to 11, 12 to 14, 15 & Above. The exact same solo, duet/trio contestants may place only once in the Top 10 high Point Awards. Any act which does not compete at their assigned day and time, will automatically be adjudicated and is ineligible for High Point Awards. Entries received after the program is printed are also not eligible for High Point Awards. Should an act drop below the minimum number requirement for the group size during the competition it will be adjudicated and is ineligible for High Point Awards. Should an act drop below the minimum number requirement for the group size after the program is printed and KAR is notified before the start of the competition, the act may compete in the appropriate division and time for eligibility. Any routine that was awarded the top 5 overall High Point scores at any of the 2011 National Finals cannot compete with that same routine in a 2012 Regional or National Finals competition. Any routine that competed in 2011 STAR SHOWCASE cannot compete with that same routine in a 2012 Regional Competition. Our November and December Competitions are considered in the 2012 season.

Top Studio Awards

A Top Studio Award will be presented to the studio with the most Elite Top Firsts place and Top First place awards in the PRIMARY, SECONDARY, INTERMEDIATE and ELITE LEVELS. To be eligible for this award, a studio must have a minimum of 1 act represented in the Solo, Duet/Trio Group/Line divisions. In the event of a tie, the award will be given to the studio with the highest accumulated points. The same criteria listed above will determine the Top Studio Awards at National Finals.

Judging

Contestants will be judged by a panel of previously selected judges and all entrants agree that all decisions of the judges are final. All entrants agree that the time, manner and method of judging the competition will be solely within the discretion of the directors and producers of KIDS ARTISTIC REVUE Dance Competition. In the event that an infraction was not recognized for any reason during a regional competition, it will be deducted at the National Finals Competition. Any protest must be in writing, signed and received by the competition director within 30 minutes of the performance of the routine in question and at least 30 minutes prior to awards. All score sheets will be available to Studio Directors Only. Each performance will be evaluated on the following five elements: 1.) Technique - 40 points total; 2.) Stage Presence - 25 points total, 3.) Choreography - 20 points total, 4.) Timing and Music - 10 points total and 5.) Costume - 5 points total. There is a maximum of 100 points per judge. If a dance, costume or music is deemed inappropriate for family viewing, it will be scored lower by judges and not eligible for highpoint awards. Ties will not be broken for the regular competition. However, all ties will be broken for Special and High Point Awards.

Star Showcase - National Finals Only

At National Finals the top 7 scoring Groups and/or Lines (all ages combined) in the Primary, Secondary, Intermediate and Elite levels will be invited to participate in the 2012 Star Showcase. These top scoring dances from each level will re-compete to determine the National Grand Champion. The highest scoring Group or Line in each level will be awarded an additional cash prize and the National Grand Champion trophy. A studio may only have the maximum of one routine per level in the Star Showcase. The one Overall High Point Solo and Duet/Trio (all ages combined in each level), Recreational group/line, Super Line, Production and Title Winners are also invited to perform their national award winning routines at the 2012 Star Showcase. In the event that the top scoring soloist in a particular level is also the National Titlist winner, that soloist will perform as the National Titlist Winner for Star Showcase and the second highest scoring soloist will represent their level. These performances are for exhibition purposes only and will not be competing for additional awards or cash prizes.