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RULES & AWARDS

2024 REGIONAL RULES

Our Rules are subject to change. Check this page for the most up to date version of our Rules. Studio Directors, for pricing information please create an account on our online registration system. Please note, your profile will go into review for approval and you will be notified once it is approved.

Download Rules PDF

REGISTRATION

• All entries must register through a studio.

• Studio directors determine the performance level of each dancer. Each routine’s level is determined by the level of the dancers registered.

PERFORMANCE LEVELS

The level of each routine is determined by the level of the dancers registered in the routine. Studio Directors should use the following criteria to determine the level of each dancer but should also take into consideration the dancer’s overall ability. The level of each dancer may need to be adjusted each year prior to registering for a competition. Please take note that our judging panel also uses the following criteria to assess level placement.

Spirit Division – At Breakout, we believe that dance should be an inclusive and welcoming place for everyone, of all abilities. Our Spirit Division is geared toward dancers who have a physical, sensory, or mental disability.

• We will work with studio directors to provide a safe space for those dancers to perform/compete.
• Dancers registered in the Spirit Division will perform in the Spirit level for their solo. In the case of dancers using an aide, the aide’s age and level will not be considered in determining the placement of the routine.
• Dancers will be recognized onstage during adjudications and are eligible for judges special awards. To be eligible for overall awards in the Spirit Division, all performers in the routine must be registered as Spirit dancers.

Beginner Division – This division is for beginner dancers who take 3 or less hours of dance per week and have very limited or no competition experience.

• A dancer in this division may compete in no more than 6 routines. Beginner dancers may compete in the
Up and Coming Division and Production Division.
• Beginner dancers may compete only 1 solo.
• A well-executed Beginner level dancer has a simple and clean routine that they are executing with attention to musicality and performance quality.

Up & Coming Division – This division is for intermediate dancers who take 5 or less hours of dance per week and have limited competition experience.

• A dancer in this division may compete in no more than 8 routines. Up and Coming dancers are eligible to compete in both the Beginner and Celebrity divisions.
• Up and Coming dancers may compete in no more than 2 solos.
• A true Up and Coming dancer will have more simplistic choreography with less difficulty than a Celebrity dancer would have. • A dancer at this level, should have a basic knowledge of their technique, and while every second of the routine won’t be executed flawlessly, our judges are looking for dancers who are becoming technically proficient, command the stage, and are invested in their performance.
• At this level, dancers should be above average in terms of their staging, musicality, and confidence, but still lack the technical soundness of a Celebrity level dancer.

Celebrity Division – This division is for advanced dancers who take 5 or more hours of dance per week or have extensive competition experience. Celebrity dancers may also compete in the Up and Coming Division.

• Celebrity dancers may compete in an unlimited number of routines, but a maximum of 3 solos.
• Dancers who wish to compete for Title, be picked for our National Opening Number, and compete for cash awards MUST be in the Celebrity Division.
• Dancers at this level have difficulty in their choreography that they are able to execute confidently with correct technique. These dancers have a strong level of showmanship and are clean and polished. At this level, dancers are beginning to find their artistry, style, and creativity.

Correct level placement is necessary for maintaining a key factor in our company philosophy – a fair event. If the judges unanimously decide that a dancer is under-placed, a level advancement will occur and the dancer/routine will be moved to the appropriate level. If the overall has already happened, that performance will be for adjudication only. If the overall has not yet happened, then the routine will have the opportunity to recompete at its correct level. If the level advancement recommendation is not unanimous, then the studio director will receive a level advancement card that serves as a recommendation for a level advancement of the particular dancer/group of dancers moving forward. Our judges are trained to provide consistency in their judging for all competitors at each event and monitoring that dancers are placed at their appropriate level is a significant part of a fair experience.

THE DECISION OF THE JUDGES IS FINAL!

ROUTINE PLACEMENT

Routines with the exact same dancers must compete in the same age division and level.

Solos – Dancers must compete in the level they are registered.
Duos/Trios – The most advanced dancer determines the level of the routine.
Small Groups, Large Groups & Lines – No more than 49% of the dancers may be from a higher level. Productions – All Productions compete against each other in the Production Division. Awards are given in the 12 & Under and 13 & Over divisions.

PERFORMANCE CATEGORIES

Acro: Routine combining the artistry of dance technique along with the athleticism of acrobatic skills. Choreography must contain 50% dance technique.

Ballet: Routine consisting of classical ballet movement and technique.
Baton: Routine in which the dancer demonstrates a variety of twirling technique, such as fingerwork, rolls, and/or a variety of tosses and catches, that is coordinated with dance movements.

Character: Routine in which dancers must portray an easily recognizable character.

Clogging: Routine consisting of clogging technique and performed in clogging shoes. Folk/Ethnic: Routine incorporating one or more ethnic styles of dance.

Musical Theatre: Routine choreographed to a song from a Broadway or movie musical. This form of dance strongly focuses on elements of performance quality, such as connecting with the audience, facial expressions, storytelling, and/or character portrayal.

Open: Routine consisting of more than one style of dance that does not easily fit into any other category.

Contemporary: Routine influenced by multiple styles of dance including jazz, modern, and lyrical. The movement is expressive, gestural, and unique in its dynamics.

Hip Hop: Routine consisting of mostly hip hop or street style moves characterized by bounces, rocks, krumping, popping, locking, breaking, etc. This style places emphasis on rhythmic isolations and strong musicality.

Jazz: Routine consisting of primarily jazz technique in which the movements traditionally mimic the sounds, rhythms, and syncopations of the music.

Lyrical: Routine that places an emphasis on expression and connection to the lyrics of a song.

Modern: Routine consisting of codified styles of modern dance technique, such as Graham, Taylor, Cunningham, Limón,Dunham, Duncan, and Horton.

Song and Dance: Routine consisting of singing and any style of dance. Music may only have backup voices. Performance will use the boundary microphones or one handheld microphone provided by Breakout.

Supplemental: Routine consisting of any dance style or any combination of styles. This category differs from the Open category in that it can be used for a secondary dance in a similar style to one already used.

Pointe: Routine containing pointe technique. At least 50% of the performers must be en pointe. This category is only available in the Celebrity Level. Dancers performing en pointe, even if in another category such as Open or Supplemental, will be moved to the Celebrity Level.

Pom: Routine consisting of pom squad dance technique, with an emphasis on precision, clean technique, and sharpness that incorporates elements of Jazz and Hip Hop.

Tap: Routine consisting of tap technique. No pre-recorded tap sounds are allowed. Use of pre-recorded tap sounds will result in a red card and 2-point deduction.

Vocal: Any type of vocal performance using one handheld microphone provided by Breakout. Accompaniment can only be instrumental. Vocal Routines will be eligible for adjudication only. Vocal solos are not counted towards a dancer’s level.

• Only 3 acrobatic tricks are permitted in any performance category except Acro, Open, Character, Hip Hop, Pom, Supplemental, and Production. When a routine has 3 or more acro tricks, judges have the right to move the routine to the appropriate category. An acro trick is considered anything where both feet pass over the head and body is airborne such as, but not limited to, back handsprings, back tucks, front/side aerials, etc. An acro pass is considered one trick. Headstands, walkovers, head cartwheels, kip ups, forward rolls, contemporary inversions, or headsprings are not considered acro tricks.

• Soloists may not compete against themselves in the same performance category.
• In a duo/trio, or group routine 50% of the performers must be different when competing in the same age and performance category.
• Any dancer performing en pointe must be registered in the Celebrity Division.

 

DIVISIONS

Solo 1 dancer
Duo/Trio 2 – 3 dancers
Small Group 4 – 9 dancers
Large Group 10 – 19 dancers
Line 19 + dancers
Production 20 + dancers

TIME LIMITS

Solo 2:45 minutes
Duo/Trio 2:45 minutes
Small Group 3 minutes
Large Group 4 minutes
Line 5 minutes
Production 8 minutes

•Extended time is available for purchase. Solos, duos, trios, small groups, and large groups may be extended by 1 minute. Lines and productions may be extended by a maximum of 5 minutes.

 

AGE DIVISIONS

• Age Division is determined by the average age of performers Mini=6&Under//Petite=7-9//Junior=10-12//Teen=13-15//Senior=16-19//Adult=20&Over

If the average age of the group is 15.9, the entry will compete in the 15 year old age division.

• Production age divisions are determined by the average age of performers, 12 & Under and 13 & Over.
• A performer’s age is determined by their age as of January 1st, 2024. Studio directors must be prepared to present
birth certificates should a protest arise.
• Routines with an average age of 20 or older will perform in our Adult division and are not eligible for overall awards.
• Routines may compete no more than 1 age division lower than the oldest dancer in the routine.
Example: Any entry with a dancer 16 years old, or older, may not compete in any age division lower than 13-15.
• Any routine including a teacher is not eligible for overall awards. A teacher is someone who choreographs or teaches class and is 20 years of age or older. Entries with teachers in them may perform for adjudication only. This does not apply to student teachers 19 years old or younger.
• Any person who is visible on stage once the routine has started, and prior to the end of the routine, will be considered a performer and is subject to age division and group size rules.

JUDGING GUIDELINES

ADJUDICATION SCALE

291 – 300   –  Platinum Plus

279 – 290.9 – Platinum

267 – 278.9 – High Gold

255 – 266.9 – Gold

• Every performance will be critiqued according to the competition level, age, and category by a panel of 3 judges.
• Each judge will use a 100-point scale and will consider technique, difficulty, execution, choreography, showmanship, and overall effect.
• Performers who exit the stage prior to the end of their performance will not receive a score if the judges do not feel enough of the routine was completed. The performance is eligible to perform again for adjudication only.
• Judges will also take into consideration whether routines are age appropriate and placed in the correct performance level. • Dancers placed incorrectly will be moved up to the appropriate level regardless of whether the overall has already been given.
• The decisions of the judges are final. Each judge will give a verbal critique for every entry.
• All entries will receive a Platinum Plus, Platinum, High Gold, or Gold. Scores will be given to studio directors at the end of the competition.

A RED CARD will be given when a rule break occurs. Rule breaks include, but are not limited to; the use of illegal props
(baby powder, liquid, glitter, hairspray, paint, confetti smaller than 1⁄2 inch, fog machines, and/or strobe lights), offensive music, prop assembly exceeding a timely fashion and/or extensive clean up. Judges are granted the right to Red Card any dance they deem necessary. A Red Card will result in an automatic 2-point deduction from the total score. The studio director will be notified when a dance is Red Carded.

SOLO: $75 DUO/TRIO: $75 SMALL GROUP: $100 LARGE GROUP: $125 LINE: $150

SOLO: $75 DUO/TRIO: $75 SMALL GROUP: $100 LARGE GROUP: $125 LINE: $150

SOLO: $100 DUO/TRIO: $100 SMALL GROUP: $125 LARGE GROUP: $150 LINE: $175

SOLO: $125 DUO/TRIO: $125 SMALL GROUP: $150 LARGE GROUP: $175 LINE: $200

A CONTENT AWARENESS note will be given to a studio director when a judge believes the content of a dance is offensive or culturally insensitive. Cultural or racial appropriation and over-sexualization for an age division are examples that could receive a content awareness note. Content Awareness notes were created to give judges the opportunity to explain their point of view. There is no point deduction accompanying a content awareness note.

AWARDS

• All group dancers will receive adjudication pins for each entry.
• Adjudication medals will be awarded for solos, duos and trios.
• First in category awards will be awarded when there are 3 or more entries in a category.
• Entries must compete prior to their awards ceremony to be eligible for High Score Awards.
• High Score Awards will be given in each competition level, age, and size division.
• Soloists and duos/trios with identical dancers may only place with their highest scoring routine.
• Top 3, Top 5 and Top 10 will be awarded based on the number of entries per age, size, and division.
• Production Overall Awards will be presented in 12 & Under and 13 & Over Divisions.
Special Awards: Given at each awards ceremony at the discretion of the judges and competition directors.
Outstanding Solo Awards: Given at the discretion of the judges to soloists in a variety of categories; choreography, technique, etc. Outstanding Group Awards: Given at the discretion of the judges to routines for a variety of achievements; choreography, artistry, musicality, emotional execution, precision, technique, etc.
Photogenic Award: Teachers should submit a 5×7 or 8×10 color or black and white photo with their name, age, and studio name on the back. The photogenic award will be given during the last group awards ceremony of the event. Photos must be picked up by the studio director at the end of the competition.
Title Awards: The first place dancer in each age division in the Celebrity level will be awarded “Breakout Regional Champion” and will receive a jacket. Title as an additional competition is only available at our National events, please refer to our National
rules for more information.
Industry Dance Award Regional Nominees: Breakout is a proud sponsor of the Industry Dance Awards, a multi-competition & convention event and benefit show that helps raise money and awareness for Dancers Against Cancer. At each of our Regional Competitions, we will announce the Outstanding Regional Performances in the following categories: Jazz, Tap/Clogging, Acro/ Ballet/Open, Musical Theatre, Hip Hop, Contemporary/Lyrical/Modern, and People’s Choice (which is a dance from any group competitive category hand-picked by the judges). To be eligible for a nomination, dancers must compete at the Celebrity
13 & Over Division in the categories listed above. All categories are chosen based on overall score with the exception of
People’s Choice. At the end of the Regional season, Breakout will select one performance in each category to be our
National Outstanding Performances Nominee representing Breakout at the Industry Dance Awards.
The Beginner Breakout Award, The Up and Coming Breakout Award, and The Celebrity Breakout Award: Awarded to the highest scoring group routine in each performance level.

HIGH SCORE CASH AWARDS

• All gift certificates/cash prizes will be awarded to the studio.
• Gift certificates will be given to the first place High Score Award winners in the Beginner and Up and Coming Division when there are 10 or more routines entered in that age and size.
• Cash awards will be given to the first place High Score Award winners in the Celebrity Division & the Production Division when there are 10 or more that age and size.

Spirit & Beginner Up & Coming Celebrity
Solo – $75 Solo – $100 Solo – $125
Duo/Trio – $75 Duo/Trio – $100 Duo/Trio – $135
Small Group – $100 Small Group – $125 Small Group – $150
Large Group – $125 Large Group – $150 Large Group – $175
Line – $150 Line – $175 Line – $200
Production – $250

PROPS

• Props must be set up and removed within 3 minutes, productions may use 5 minutes. If your routine/prop includes anything that will litter the stage, studio representatives must be prepared to clean the stage in less than 2 minutes.
• No baby powder, liquid, hairspray, paint, glitter, or anything that could leave a residue on the stage, may be used.
• No material under 1/2 an inch may be used. (ex. glitter, confetti, shredded paper )

• No dangerous props may be used. Breakout reserves the right to veto a prop.
• Do not throw props off of the front of the stage.
• Use of any illegal prop will result in a Red Card and a 2-point deduction. The studio director will be notified when a dance is Red Carded.
NOTE: Due to health risks we do NOT allow fog/smoke machines or strobe lights to be used during any performances. Breakout reserves the right to limit prop size depending on facility requirements. Please contact our office with any specific prop questions.

MUSIC

• Breakout is a family-friendly event. Music that is offensive, demeaning, intentionally derogatory, or threatening will not be tolerated and is subject to a red card with a point deduction or disqualification as determined by the judging panel. Music containing realistic gunfire, which may cause panic, is not permitted. Anymusicinquestionwillbepulledand listened to by the panel and competition director to determine if a point deduction or disqualification will occur.

This particularly pertains to music in which slurs or derogatory language are not fully edited.
• All music must be uploaded at least 1 week prior to the event. All music that has not been uploaded must be turned in at the Audio Booth at least 30 minutes prior to your studio’s first routine. Breakout will accept Flash Drives; no iPods or CDs accepted. • If submitting a Flash Drive, please label it with your studio name. Each file should be labeled with the 3-digit entry # and routine name. (Example: 001 Cell Block Tango, 029 Dear Future Husband, 311 I Have Nothing)
• Please note that audio files are accepted in MP3 & M4A format only, up to 50 MB each. We recommend an MP3 format.
• Back-up music must be provided on a flash drive and must be picked up onsite. Breakout cannot guarantee any of these items will be available to be mailed back to the studio after the competition. There will be a $10 fee for any items that need to be shipped.
• Breakout does not allow any additional microphones or equipment to be plugged into our sound system.
• If the music stops for any reason, the dancers will be given the opportunity to re-perform without penalty.
NOTE: Breakout will not stop a performance for a music issue, that decision is left up to the director’s discretion. Breakout will only tell dancers to stop performing when there is a costume malfunction. That routine may re-perform without penalty.

In the event of a costume malfunction, it is our policy to prioritize the safety of the dancers who take our stage. If there is any indecent exposure onstage, meaning that a costume malfunctions in a way that compromises the modesty of the dancer, our team is trained to stop the music and ask the dancer to exit the stage. In this instance, the dancer will be allowed to perform again with no penalty. This does not include instances in which a dancer experiences a strap breakage while remaining fully covered, an accessory detaches without affecting the costume’s integrity, or a layer comes off, leaving the dancer still adequately covered.

GENERAL INFORMATION

• Only studio directors may question routines for rule infractions, however, any protest must be made in writing to the competition director within 30 minutes of the performance.
• Deposit payments and competition fees are non-refundable.
• Changes made to registration after the final schedule has been released will incur a $10 change fee, except in cases where an injury is involved.

• All contestants, teachers, and parents attending a Breakout Competition give permission for any photographs or videos taken during the competition to be used to promote future events.
• Coaching from the wings or audience is not allowed at any time throughout a performance. Doing so will result in a red card with a 2-point deduction.

• For safety reasons, dancers may not jump off the front of the stage or approach the judges table.
• Except when there is a technical difficulty, any re-performance of a routine will be for adjudication only.

• There will be a $50 fee for all checks returned by the bank.
• Breakout reserves the right to refuse entry to any studio.
• Studio directors must sign a release form.

  • Email: [email protected]
  • Phone: 609-873-8620
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