Regional entries must be postmarked 21 days before the competition date. In order for programs to be printed, this deadline must be strictly adhered to.

Entries will be accepted on a first come, first served basis and will be limited to the amount of performance time available. Most of our events fill up quickly and people must be turned away, so please send your entries in very early, and the best, easiest, and quickest way to enter is through our website at the Teacher’s Information Center.

Types of entries are Solo, Duet/Trio (Duets and Trios compete against each other) Small Group (4 to 9 dancers), Large Group (10 to 19 dancers), and Super Group (20 or more dancers).

Soloists are limited to two solo performances.

The time limit for all Solo, Duet/Trio, and Small Group entries are three minutes (3:00), Large Group, and Super Group entries are four minutes (4:00), PRODUCTION category only has a time limit of eight minutes (8:00). A deduction of one half point (.5) for every 10 seconds or portion thereof in excess of the time limit will be made.

All Production Groups entered at all National Finals will automatically be part of our new "PRODUCTIONMANIA ®" LIVE WEBCAST SHOW the evening before our championship webcast

All ages for Duet/Trios and Groups are as of January 1st, for both Regionals and Nationals. Ages for Solos only, however, are as of the Competition date for both Regional and National Finals. For Duet/Trios and Groups add the ages of all the contestants as of January 1st then divide by the number of contestants. If there is a decimal, round down and drop the decimal. Names, ages and birth dates of all contestants must appear on the entry form or it will not be accepted. However if there are any substitutions at Nationals, the Age will be re-averaged as of the first day of the Nationals.Contestants will be responsible for producing proof of age to the contest directors should a question arise.

Duet/Trio and Group entries cannot compete in an age division more than one age division younger than the oldest dancer, regardless of the average age. An example would be a performer age 18, a senior, dancing in a group with an average age of 10 (junior), would be moved into the teen category, one age division younger than senior, into the lowest age group in that division, which would be age 12.

Levels of entries are:

*NEW* Performance
Dancers who take a total of three hours or less of combined dance and/or acro lessons per week are eligible to enter. Please note that it is not mandatory that you enter the Performance level if you take three hours or less, it is simply available for those who take three hours or less per week. However if a Duet/Trio or Group has even one dancer taking over three hours of dance/acro per week, it must enter a higher level.

Advanced
For dancers on the rise between Performance and Competitive, taking three to five hours of dance and/or acro per week with limited competition experience, and not yet ready to compete at the highest level. If a dancer competes in the Advanced Level as a solo they must remain in the Advanced Level for all solos. If a Duet/Trio or Group has even one dancer taking over five hours of dance/acro per week, it must enter the Competitive Level.

Competitive
The highest level of dancers. Any entries wishing to compete for Cash Awards, the highest Overall Honors, the Crystal Award and the WebTV Show at Finals, must compete in the Competitive Level. If a dancer competes in the Competitive Level as a solo they must remain in the Competitive Level for all solos.

Because no dance competition can know how many hours a week a child dances, teachers are left to use their own sound judgment when entering routines. Routines that are obviously under-placed may be elevated by the judges.

Routines performed at the regional shows are eligible to enter the National Finals. Contestants can enter either the West Coast, Mid America or East Coast Finals, but not more than one regardless of the regional location at which you qualified.

No air horns or similar devices are allowed.

A time schedule and directions to the competition location will be sent to all entries by at least six days before each competition date.

Routines are expected to perform in the order they are scheduled. If for any reason a routine performs out of its listed order, video playback of that routine during the awards ceremony cannot be assured. In all cases routines must be performed during the awards session in which they are scheduled. If the routine cannot perform during the awards session in which they are scheduled for any reason, we will be glad to: 1) Give a refund for the routine or 2) It can be performed for judges comments only. The routine would not be eligible for any regular or overall awards. It will be announced on stage at the end of the regular awards, the appropriate medal or trophy given, and the routine will be qualified for National Finals.

Video Taping and movie cameras are prohibited.

Each entry must furnish its own music marked with the contestant number on a clean, good quality cassette tape, CD, ipod, flash drive or music may be e-mailed in ahead of the competition (please refer to our website for instructions). It is recommended that you bring a second copy as a backup in the event of malfunction of original.

CATEGORY GUIDELINES:

The following dance categories can contain no gymnastic/acrobatic tricks. Ballet, and Pointe. A one-half (.5) point deduction per judge will be made for any gymnastic/acrobatic tricks in these categories. Tricks not allowed are movements that pass through or stop at a fully inverted (upside down) position with both feet off the floor (the torso passing or stopping directly over the top of ones head/shoulders). The only exceptions to this are forward, backward and shoulder rolls, and acro tricks in lifts (a lift being defined as being supported by another dancer with any body part). The following dance categories can contain no more than three gymnastic/acrobatic tricks, Tap, Jazz, Lyrical Jazz, and Clogging. A one-half (.5) point deduction per judge will be made for any gymnastic/acrobatic tricks in these categories over three. A gymnastic pass will be counted as the number of tricks in the pass.

A one point deduction per judge will be incurred if any special microphones or sound equipment is hooked up by Showstopper for any performance.

Fire, swords and knives on stage are prohibited. Simulated weapons with dull, safe edges are acceptable with approval of Showstopper. No liquid, gel, aerosol, glitter, or similar substance that would effect the dancing surface is allowed unless specifically approved by Showstopper. Props are allowed, however they must be freestanding. Scenery or backdrops requiring the use of theater fly bars may not be used. Helium balloons are not permitted. Special fog or smoke is not permitted unless specifically approved by Showstopper. Safety is always our major concern. If the stage is "littered" during a routine please be prepared to clean it up immediately after the routine is finished.

If dance movements, music lyrics, or costuming are deemed to be too suggestive or otherwise inappropriate for our family audience, or if the music contains vulgar or inappropriate lyrics, the routine will be scored lower by the judges.

Hip Hop
Routine consisting primarily of Hip Hop Technique. The music must not contain inappropriate lyrics or it will be scored lower by the judges.

Musical Theater
Routine featuring any style of dance interpreting a song from a Broadway show or movie musical.

Jazz
Routine must consist of primarily jazz technique. Three gymnastic/acrobatic tricks allowed.

Tap
Routine must contain tap technique and primarily tap work. It is preferred tap sounds not be on tape. Three gymnastic/acrobatic tricks allowed.

Ballet
Routine must consist of ballet technique. Must include classical steps and movements. No pointe shoes allowed. No gymnastic/acrobatic tricks allowed.

Pointe
Routine must consist of pointe/toe technique. No gymnastic/acrobatic tricks allowed.

Lyrical Jazz
Routine should demonstrate balance, extension, isolations and control utilizing the lyrics or mood of the music. Three gymnastic/acrobatic tricks allowed.

Song & Dance
Must and will contain both singing and any listed category of dancing. Judging will be based on both singing and dancing. There must be no other lead voices anywhere on tape (0.5 point per judge deduction). All performers will be judged on both singing and dancing. A one point deduction per judge will be incurred if any special microphones or sound equipment is hooked up by Showstopper for any reason. Three handheld wireless microphones only will be available for your use.

Acrobatic Dance
A routine using controlled moves such as walkovers, limbers, handstands, chest rolls, etc. Can contain gymnastic passes. Majority of routine must be acrobatic moves or it will be scored lower by the judges. Can contain flexibility moves or contortionist moves. Must contain dance moves, steps, and choreography.

Baton
A routine using baton(s) and baton technique. Will be judged on both Baton technique and dance moves, steps, and choreography.

Pom Pon
A routine incorporating the use of Pom Pons. Should use precise and definite movement. Acrobatics allowed. However no stunts, tosses, or a pyramid taller than one person is allowed or a one point penalty per judge will be incurred. The routine will be judged on both Pom Pon technique and dance steps, moves, and choreography.

Clogging
A routine utilizing either traditional or contemporary style clogging technique. Three gymnastic/acrobatic tricks allowed

Character Routine
A routine portraying a recognizable character throughout. Can be from a play, movie, television, Broadway, or a stereotype such as a farmer, policeman, etc. The character portrayed must be listed on the entry form, and it will be published in the program book. Can incorporate either dance or acrobatic techniques.

Folkloric
A routine using ethnic style of dance, such as Spanish, Hawaiian, polkas, etc.

Open
Any of our listed categories or combinations of listed category styles.

Contemporary
Routine should utilize contemporary style to show extension, balance, can combine lyrical, modern and concert style techniques. ACROBATIC TRICKS ARE ALLOWED in this category.

All Male
Any group with all male dancers, regardless of type of dance, may choose to enter this category.

Production
A routine utilizing a group of at least 10 dancers incorporating any style/styles of dance or acrobatic. Production ONLY has a time limit of 8:00 minutes. Production Groups are not eligible to appear on the Championship Webcasts produced on the final day at the National Finals, however, All Production Groups at all National Finals are automatically part of our new "PRODUCTIONMANIA!®" live webcast show the evening before our Championship Webcast.

Teachers Categories
Persons 20 yrs. of age or over who are teachers or assistant teachers or professional dancers or persons who have ever been teachers, assistant teachers or professional dancers must compete in Teachers Categories. Teachers Solos, Duet/Trio, and Groups can compete in all types of dance listed above. All Duet/Trios or Groups with even one Teacher competitor must enter the Teachers category. Teachers Groups are not eligible to appear on the Championships Webcasts produced at the National Finals.

SCORING/AWARD SYSTEM:
Double Platinum, Platinum 1st Place, Gold 1st Place, and Silver Awards will be decided by a predetermined range of points for each place. In the Competitive Level, dance routines are also eligible for the Crystal Award. There may be multiple Double Platinum, Platinum 1st places, Gold 1st places, and Silver Awards in each age group and category.

Contestants will compete in the following age groups: (4 & under), (5-6 yrs.), (7-8 yrs), (9-10 yrs), (11 yrs), (12 yrs), (13-14 yrs), (15-16 yrs), (17-19 yrs), (20-29 yrs), (30-39 yrs), (40-49 yrs), (50-59 yrs), (60-69 yrs), and (70 & over). In Contemporary, Tap, Jazz, Lyrical Jazz, Open, Musical Theater and Production categories ONLY age groups are: (4 & under), (5 yrs), (6 yrs), (7 yrs), (8 yrs), (9 yrs), (10 yrs), (11 yrs), (12 yrs), (13 yrs), (14 yrs), (15 yrs), (16 yrs), (17 yrs), (18-19 yrs), (20-29 yrs), (30-39 yrs), (40-49 yrs), (50-59 yrs), (60-69 yrs), and (70 & over).

Entry fees are $94 each Solo, $114 each Duet/Trio, $40 each person for Groups.

All payments of entry fees must be received with entries. No payments will be accepted at events.

All changes made after the event schedule appears online will be charged $5 for each change.

The same contestant(s) cannot compete more than once in the same category and age group in either Solo, Duet/Trio, or Group competition. This means that contestants must never compete against themselves in the same age group and category.

A 10 point deduction will be made for routines that are not completed.

Contestants will be judged by a panel of competent judges, and all entrants agree that the time, manner, and method of judging the contest shall be solely within the discretion of the directors and producers of Showstopper American Dance Championships and that all decisions of the judges are final.

Judges Score Sheets must be picked up at the event. They will not be mailed afterward.

Contestants and teachers by virtue of entering a Showstopper event give their permission and consent to the directors of Showstopper to use their images or photographs or appear in videos, television, or any other electronic media for advertising, news coverage or any other commericial use of our events.

Any performer competing in dance competitions takes certain inherent risks. These include, but are not limited to sprains, bruises, pulled muscles, and broken bones. Participation in this competition indicates the acceptance of such risks by performers. Therefore by virtue of entering this event, it is agreed that participants will not hold Showstopper® Inc.; Showstopper American Dance Championships® or its officers, directors officials, staff or employees responsible for injuries sustained or illnesses contracted by them while in attendance and/or participating in any activity related to a Showstopper® Competition. Showstopper American Dance Championships® and the hosting facility are not responsible for personal injury to either contestants or spectators. Showstopper is not responsible for lost or stolen property. Do not leave your property and valuables unattended in the theater or dressing rooms.

SPECIAL AWARDS - Performance & Advanced Level
Overall recognition and medals will be given in the following five age divisions:
Mini: 8 years & under, Junior: 9-11 years, Teen: 12-14 years, Senior: 15-19 years, and Adult: 20 yrs and over. No cash awards are given in the Performance & Advanced Level.

SPECIAL AWARDS - Competitive Level
All cash prizes are awarded to the Studio Director or Teacher.
Overall recognition and medals will be given in the following five age divisions:
Mini: 8 years & under, Junior: 9-11 years, Teen: 12-14 years, Senior: 15-19 years, and Adult: 20 yrs and over.

“Top Solo”
$50 plus a $50 gift certificate will be awarded to the soloist in the Mini: 8 yrs & under, Junior: 9-11, Teen: 12-14, and Senior: 15-19 age groups receiving the highest overall score. If a contestant performs two solos, only the highest scoring one counts for the top overall awards. The Top 2 scoring soloists from the Junior, Teen and Senior divisions in the Competitive Level at every regional event are invited to perform in the opening number of our Championship on the last day of each National Finals event. If a performer was one of the top 2 scoring minis at a regional event, they are not eligible for the opening number even if they turn 9 yrs before the Nationals. If a regional event has over 1,000 entries, the top 4 scoring soloist from the Junior, Teen, and Senior divisions are invited to perform in the Opening Number. If a regional event has over 2,000 entries, the top 6 scoring soloist from the Junior, Teen, and Senior divisions are invited to perform in the Opening Number.

“Top Teacher Awards”
A special Trophy will be awarded to the top Teacher performances in Solo, Duet/Trio, and Group divisions receiving the highest overall score.

“Top Adult Awards”
A special Trophy will be awarded to the top Adult (ages 20 & over) performances in Solo, Duet/Trio, and Group divisions receiving the highest overall score.

“Top Duet/Trio”
$50 plus a $50 gift certificate will be awarded to the Duet/Trio in the Mini: 8 yrs & under, Junior: 9-11, Teen: 12-14, and Senior: 15-19 age groups receiving the highest overall score.

“Top Small Group”
$100 plus a $100 Showstopper gift certificate will be awarded to the small group in the Mini: 8 yrs & under, Junior: 9-11, Teen: 12-14, and Senior: 15-19 age groups receiving the highest overall score.

“Top Large Group”
$100 plus a $100 Showstopper gift certificate will be awarded to the large group in the Mini: 8 yrs & under, Junior: 9-11, Teen: 12-14, and Senior: 15-19 age groups receiving the highest overall score.

“Top Super Group”
$100 plus a $100 Showstopper gift certificate will be awarded to the super group in the Mini: 8 yrs & under, Junior: 9-11, Teen: 12-14, and Senior: 15-19 age groups receiving the highest overall score.

© 2012 Showstopper American Dance Championships

Click here to E-mail us--> [information@showstopperonline.com]
Showstopper 1340 Dividend Loop, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
Telephone: 1-843-357-SHOW (7469) Fax: 1-843-357-3579