rules

EPIC DANCE SHOWCASE COMPETITION RULES AND REGULATIONS

PLEASE CHECK TO MAKE SURE YOU ARE ENTERING YOUR DANCERS IN APPROPRIATE CATEGORY!

ENTRIES

NO REFUNDS WILL BE MADE FOR COMPETITION OR CONVENTION FEES!!!
There is no limit to the number of entries a studio may enter.
All entries must be submitted with payment in full using cashier’s check or money order. Studio checks will only be accepted BEFORE 30 days prior to event. There will be a $50 fee added to all returned checks. NO studio or personal checks will be accepted at the event. NO EXCEPTIONS!!!
All entries must be entered or postmarked at least 30 days in advance of the first day of competition. Late entries will be accepted after the 30 day deadline, but are subject to a $10.00 per entry late fee, until competition has been sold out.
All routines must be appropriate. Please remember this is a family event. All routines deemed inappropriate by our staff will be disqualified.
All dancers/performers, teachers, parents and audience members should conduct themselves in an appropriate manner at all times during the competition.
Dressing rooms will be assigned when at all possible.
There is a limit of 3 solos per performer at each regional event.
A 10 point deduction will be made for routines that are not completed on the first try. Technical difficulties, etc., will not be held against any performer.
A studio/participant may compete in more than one regional as well as our nationals.
Routines must be performed in the order in which they were scheduled. Only Epic staff/backstage manager may change the order due to costume changes. Routines must be performed on their scheduled day.
Studio directors will be given a copy of the competition schedule one week prior to the event. All changes and/or corrections must be submitted to Epic before the stated deadline. A $25.00 charge may be added to changes made after the deadline. All changes need to be emailed to ensure accuracy.
No dancing/instructing from the sides of stage or audience. Assisting may result in disqualification and/or point deduction.
Studio teachers will need to provide proof of age within 1 hour, if asked by an Epic staff member.
Studio owners will need to have their dancers ready to perform 1.5 hours prior to their scheduled time. Failure to adhere to this guideline may result in a point deduction. A grace period of 4 dances will be allowed for costume changes. The backstage manager will approve these changes.

TYPES OF ENTRIES

Solo– 1 performer
Duet– 2 performers
Trio– 3 performers
Small Group– 4-9 performers
Large Group– 10-16 performers
Super Group/Line– 17 and up performers
Production– unlimited amount of performers and must have a theme

AGE DIVISIONS

Mini– age 6 and under
Petite– ages 7-9
Junior– ages 10-12
Teen– ages 13-15
Senior– ages 16-20
Adult– ages 21 and up including teachers

AGE GUIDELINES

The age of the performer will be determined as of January 1. For duets, trios, and all groups including production, please average the ages of all the performers. If the average age contains a decimal; drop the decimal. For example, if the average age is 12.7 drop the .7. The average age would be 12 and that routine would compete as a junior entry. Please note: Bump rule will apply to all age groups and categories, EXCLUDING THE PRODUCTION CATEGORY. Duet/Trio and Group entries cannot compete in an age division more than one division younger than the oldest dancer; regardless of the average age. For example, if an 18 year old (senior) danced in a group with an average age of 10 (junior), the dance would be scored in the teen age category, since the teen category is one level down from the oldest dancer in the group.
Teachers are individuals who are compensated for teaching classes and/or choreography for 3 or more hours per week. Teachers must compete in the adult age division.

LEVELS OF COMPETITION

Competitive– For those students who dance 3 or fewer hours per week. Recreational entries will not be eligible for cash prizes.
Advanced– For students that participate in class and/or extra rehearsals for 4-6 hours per week.
Elite– For students that participate in class and/or extra rehearsals for 7 or more hours per week.
Routines containing a combination of competitive, advanced, and elite dancers/performers should be entered in the level in which the majority of the dancers fall.
Since Epic staff has no way of knowing how many hours a student/performer dances, or how many years they have danced, it is up to their teachers to use their judgment and place them in the appropriate level. Our Epic staff and judges feel confident that you as dance studio owners and instructors will be honest and fair when evaluating your routines. Judges may move routines to the appropriate category if they feel the routine has been misappropriated. ALL JUDGES DECISIONS ARE FINAL!!

CATEGORIES OF COMPETITION
Title Division – Epic will be offering a titles competition incorporated into solo competition. All solos in the advanced and elite levels will be considered for our Dancer of the Year Finalist (title winners) at no additional charge at regionals. Mini solos may be taken from any level of competition. Selections will be made in each age group. There is no predetermined criteria for selections; finalists are chosen by the judges based on a variety of factors – performance, technique, choreography or any combination thereof. No minimum or maximum number of finalist selections is set per regional. Solos in the adult age class are not eligible for title selections.

All dancers chosen to participate in our titles division at nationals will need:

8 X10 headshot (black/white or color)
Compete a solo at nationals (no need for a second solo)
Participate in a short interview either before after solo performance.

Titles will be crowned at nationals in each category and more information will be given later. While there is no fee to be chosen as a finalist at regionals, the fee to enter at nationals is $50.00. Congratulations again on being chosen as a finalist!!! We hope to see you at our nationals in your quest to become a national title winner!

Acrobatic– routine containing acrobatic technique with dance steps to connect moves
Ballet– routine containing ballet technique- No acrobatic tricks
Baton– use of baton with dance steps to connect moves
Character– dance routine of any style that portrays a character-No vocals allowed
Clogging– routine using clogging technique and steps
Contemporary– blended modern and lyrical styles
Ethnic/Folk-routine using movement specific to a particular culture or nationality
Hip-Hop– routine consisting of primarily hip-hop technique-NO suggestive moves or inappropriate music
Jazz– routine using jazz technique and steps
Lyrical– routine containing interpretation of music using balance, extensions and control
Liturgical– routine which incorporates praise and worship
Modeling– model in “T” formation in either causal wear, sportswear or formal wear
Modern– interpretative dance using balance and control
Musical Theatre– routine portraying a Broadway or movie character or theme-No vocals allowed- Lip syncing is allowed
Novelty– any routine not fitting into any other category-No Acrobatics
Open– routine consisting of more than one dance style-Unlimited acrobatics are allowed, but they must be connected by a series of dance moves
Photogenic– photos should be 5×7 or 8×10 and are accepted any day up to their respective day of competition- Headshots are preferred- Photos will be returned on the last day of competition with teacher’s score sheets
Pointe-routine with ballet steps using pointe shoes- No Acrobatics
Pom Pon– a routine using pom pons with dance moves- Acrobatics allowed but no stunts or tosses
Song and Dance– routine using vocals and dancing-No vocals on music CD
Tap– routine containing tap steps and technique. No tap sounds in music please
Theater Jazz-a routine containing a Broadway/Theater theme and jazz technique- No vocals allowed- Lip syncing is allowed
Variety– any style of dance with only 3 acrobatic tricks allowed
Vocal– vocal singing- no vocals on music CD
Unlimited acrobatics are only eligible to compete in the following categories: Acrobatics, Open and Pom Pon. Otherwise; only 3 acrobatic tricks are allowed per routine. Judges will be instructed to move routines containing more than 3 acrobatic tricks to one of the appropriate categories. A pass is considered one trick. It is considered one trick if multiple students do identical passes at the same time.

ENTRY FEES

Studio Owners may contact our office for detailed pricing.
Photogenic entries are $30.00 per entry at Regionals and $35.00 per entry at Nationals. They are paid when the photos are submitted.

STUDIO REBATES

A 5% rebate of entry fees is available to studios whose entries are postmarked and paid in full 45 days prior to the first day of competition. Rebates will be made out to the dance studio and given to the studio owner at check-in during the first day of competition.

TIME LIMITS

Solo & Duet/Trio- 3 minute maximum
Small Group- 3 minute maximum
Large Group- 4 minutes maximum
Super Group/Line- 5 minutes maximum
Productions- 10 minutes (includes set up of props)
Extra time may be purchased for group entries. Please contact our office for clarification.

USE OF PROPS

Props-No use of live props, such as animals or people during a routine. No dangerous or destructive props such as fire, water, knives, guns, swords, glitter, confetti, paint, etc.
Props may be used in all categories. With the exception of production, please limit all set and removal of props to one minute.

PHOTOGRAPHY AND VIDEOTAPING

All video recording and photography of any kind is PROHIBITED!! This is put in place to protect choreography and costumes of all studios. Failure to comply, could result in the disqualification of the routine. Epic staff reserves the right to remove the media being used or those using it from the event.
A professional photographer and videographer will be available at most venues for dancers/performers. All media is complimentary.

MUSIC

Our method of music is Dance Comp Genie’s upload feature.
Speed control will not be adjusted by Epic staff.
No additional sound equipment or microphones may be used or connected to the Epic sound system.
It is advisable for all routines to have an additional backup for music. We accept iPads, flash drives, phones, and tablets. NO CD’S.
All backup music must be labeled with studio name, entry number and song title.
No tap sounds are allowed in the music for entries entered in the Tap category.

ADJUDICATED AWARDS

Epic Diamond 300-295
Diamond 294-290
High Platinum 289-275
Platinum 274-259
High Gold 258-239
Gold 238-201

JUDGING
Routines will be judged according to the following:

Technique 35 points
Choreography 15 points
Execution of choreography 20 points
Presentation 15 points
Costume 5 points
Overall appeal 10 points

Epic will provide a panel of competent judges consisting of teachers, choreographers, and/or working professionals.

Routines will be given a numerical score from each judge.
Judging will be based on technique, choreography, execution of choreography, presentation, costume and overall appeal.
Judges decisions are FINAL!!
If a tie in scoring occurs, the tie will be broken based on technique, then choreography, execution of choreography, presentation, costume and overall appeal. If a tie still exists, the judges will make the final decision.
A minimum point requirement must be met to receive 1st place in the event that only one entry is registered in that category.
When possible, Epic will provide critiques to each studio owner from all three judges for each routine. Critiques will be given in written, audio, and/or video format.
Epic will not be held responsible for music or score sheets left behind at competition.

AWARDS

Every entry/routine will be receive an award representing their adjudicated score.
Cash prizes and/or gift certificates will be given to select overall winners.
Special Awards: High Score Soloist, High Score Duet/Trio, High Score Group, Judges Awards, Epic Moment Award, Subjective Awards, and Epic Studio Grand Champion. A studio must enter and perform a total of at least 10 group routines in order to be eligible for the Epic Grand Champion at regionals. At nationals, where the Epic Grand Champion award is given in the 12 and under and 13 and over age divisions, there must be at least 10 group routines in each division to be eligible for that award.
All cash awards, gift certificates, and/or scholarships will be based on the number of total entries for the competition.
If there are 1-4 routines in a division – 1st place only will be awarded.
If there are 5-6 routines in a division – 1st – 3rd place will be awarded.
If there are 7-11 routines in a division – 1st – 5th place will be awarded.
If there are 12 or more routines in a division – 1st – 10th place will be awarded.
Any petite, junior, teen, or senior soloist or members of a duet/trio who scores a Diamond at any of our regionals, will automatically be considered an “EPIC DANCER” and will be eligible to participate in our National Opening Number, schedule permitting!!! In addition, select “Epic Dancers” will be considered for assisting our esteemed choreographers during classes at Epic Conventions. Please contact Epic Staff for more details.

NATIONAL FINALS

Routines/entries must receive a Gold or higher adjudicated score to qualify for Nationals.
Studios who do not attend a regional event, may submit a video entry of each routine to be considered for Nationals. Each video entry must be submitted at least 45 days before National Finals.
Free master classes and workshops at Nationals, schedule permitting.

MISC

All contestants grant permission to the Epic Directors and Staff to use their names and/or photographs on the Epic website or program books/flyers.
Overall winners from Epic’s Nationals may not compete the same routine in the same division at any of the following year’s regionals or nationals.
Smoking, eating and drinking are not permitted in the competition area.
Epic reserves the right to cancel or move any competition or convention due to weather, number of entries or any other circumstances deemed necessary.
Epic Dance Showcase and the hosting facility are not responsible for personal injury to performers, spectators, or personal property loss. By entering this event, it is agreed that participants or spectators will not hold Epic Dance Showcase, LLC or its officers, directors, staff or employees responsible for injuries sustained or illnesses contracted by them while in attendance of their competitions/conventions.
All credit and/or scholarships issued by Epic Dance Showcase must be used within one year from the date issued.