Please read carefully — failure to comply with these rules could result in disqualification.
All entries and payment must be received 21 days prior to the competition date. All entries received after the deadline are subject to a 10% late fee.
Entries are accepted on a first come, first served basis and will be limited to the performance time available. Entries will not be processed without full payment. Payment can be made by studio check, certified funds or credit card.
Early registration is encouraged, as registration will be closed prior to the deadline if the entry maximum for each Regional event is met.
It is mandatory that all music be uploaded for The Countdown Competition. Music can be uploaded from your registration page on the dashboard.
All music must be uploaded 10 days prior to the competition. Please make sure you bring a flash drive to the venue as a back-up for your music.
Upload music on MyDanceRegisterEntry fees are available to registered studios. Enter the studio password to view them, or call 949-400-4736 for a complete schedule.
The Countdown Competition offers three levels of competition. Teachers should use their own discretion as to the placement of their dancers.
Dancers who take a total of three hours or less of combined dance lessons per week and/or have only been competing for a maximum of two years. If a group routine has 50% or more of dancers that take four hours or more of dance per week, the routine should be entered in the Intermediate or Competitive Division. It is not mandatory that you enter the Starter Division — it is simply available for those who take three hours or less per week. Cash awards will not be awarded in this level.
Dancers who take a total of four to six hours of combined dance lessons per week and/or have only been competing for a maximum of four years. If a group routine has 50% or more of dancers that take six hours or more of dance per week, the routine should be entered in the Competitive Division. It is not mandatory that you enter the Intermediate Division — it is simply available for those who take four to six hours per week. Cash awards will not be awarded in this level.
Dancers who take 6 hours or more of combined dance lessons per week. However, if a Duet/Trio has even one Competitive dancer it must enter the Competitive Division; or if a group routine has 50% or more of the dancers that qualify (taking 6 hours or more of dance per week) it must enter in the Competitive Division.
Contestants will compete in the following age divisions:
All ages for Solos, Duet/Trios and Groups are as of January 1st. For Duets/Trios and Groups, add the ages of all the contestants as of January 1 then divide by the number of contestants. If there is a decimal, drop the decimal (i.e. an average of 12.6 would compete in the 12 year old division).
Names, ages and birth dates of all contestants must appear on the entry form or entries will not be accepted. 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.
The same contestant(s) cannot compete more than once in the same dance category and age group in either Solo, Duet/Trio, or Group competition — contestants must never compete against themselves in the same age group and dance category.
Solo contestants can enter three solo routines for each Regional or National Competition. The highest scoring solo routine for each individual will be counted towards any overall awards.
Routine must consist of ballet technique; must also include classical steps and movements. Dancers should be wearing ballet shoes.
Routine must consist of primarily jazz technique. Only three gymnastics/acro tricks allowed.
Routine must contain tap technique and primarily tap work. It is preferred tap sounds not be on tape. Only three gymnastics/acro tricks allowed.
Routine should demonstrate balance, extension, isolations and control utilizing the lyrics or mood of the music. Only three gymnastics/acro tricks allowed.
Routine consisting primarily of hip hop technique. The music must not contain inappropriate lyrics or it will be scored lower by the judges.
Routine featuring any style of dance interpreting a song from a Broadway show or movie musical. Only three gymnastics/acro tricks allowed.
Routine must consist of pointe technique. No gymnastic/acrobatic tricks allowed.
Routine should utilize contemporary style to show extension and balance, and can combine lyrical, modern and concert style techniques. Only three gymnastics/acro tricks allowed.
Routine using controlled moves such as walkovers, limbers, handstands, chest rolls, etc. Routine can contain gymnastic passes. Majority of routine must be acrobatic moves or it will be scored lower by the judges. Routine can contain flexibility or contortionist moves.
Any of our listed categories or combinations of listed category styles.
A routine with a combination of listed category styles that depicts a recognizable character from a movie, play, sport, theme, or stereotype (cowgirl, fireman, etc.). Character type must be defined on the entry form and will also be listed in the program. Can include dance and/or acrobatic movements.
A group of at least 20 dancers utilizing any form of dance or acrobatics. The Production category is the ONLY category that is allowed a time limit of eight minutes.
Gymnastic and acrobatic tricks are defined as backwalkovers, frontwalkovers, backhandsprings, back tucks, etc. Any lift (defined as being supported by another dancer with any body part) is not defined as a trick.
A gymnastic pass completed by two or more dancers constitutes one trick. If that same pass or another trick is completed a second time within the routine, that constitutes the second trick. A two point deduction per judge will be made for more than the allowed three tricks.
Tap, Jazz, Lyrical/Modern and Contemporary may contain only three tricks. Ballet and Pointe may contain none, so classical ballet steps stay the emphasis of the routine. Open, Character, Musical Theatre, Hip Hop, Acrobatics and Production may contain an unlimited amount.
For further information about what constitutes a gymnastic/acrobatic trick, please email or call for a more detailed explanation.
All Competitive Division solos are eligible to enter the title competition.
All solos competing for title must indicate title on the registration form. Entries for title must be pre-registered — no entries will be accepted at the competition.
Entries will be judged for title at the same time as their solo routine; however there will be two separate score sheets, one for solo division and one for title.
No refunds will be issued. A credit for a future Countdown event will be issued if necessary. All credits given are at the discretion of The Countdown Competition directors.
A time schedule and general information will be emailed to all registered studios seven days prior to the competition date. A general schedule will be posted on the website as well.
Video taping and photography of any kind are prohibited. A professional videographer will be recording all performances, and quality recordings of each studio’s routines are available for purchase.
Stage size: approximately 40' by 40' marley stage.
Routines are expected to perform in the order they are scheduled. In all cases, routines must be performed during the awards session in which they are scheduled. A routine that cannot perform during its scheduled awards session for any reason can be performed for judges’ adjudication only and would not be eligible for any overall awards. It will be announced on stage at the end of the regular awards and the earned trophy or medal given.
No air horns or similar devices are allowed.
Fire, swords and knives on stage are prohibited. Simulated weapons with dull, safe edges are acceptable with approval of The Countdown Competition Directors and Stage Managers. No liquid, gel, aerosol, glitter, or similar substance that would affect the dancing surface is allowed unless specifically approved by The Countdown Directors. 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 The Countdown. 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 with the broom provided.
If dance movements 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. The competition is meant for a family audience.
Sportsmanlike behavior is expected at all times onstage, backstage, and in the dressing rooms. Failure to display proper decorum for all participants and staff members could result in immediate disqualification.
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 The Countdown, and that all decisions of the judges are final.
Contestants and studio/team staff, by virtue of entering The Countdown Competition event, give their permission and consent to the directors of The Countdown Competition to use their images or photographs, or appear in videos, television, or any other electronic media for advertising, news coverage or any other commercial use of our events.
Each studio is required to assign a competition level for each performer when entering their roster in the registration system. Routines are calculated based on the level of the dancer.
Solos must compete at the level in which they are registered on your roster.
Duet/Trios — for a mixed level duet/trio, the routine is determined by the highest level dancer.
Groups, Lines & Productions — for mixed level groups, lines and productions, the routine level is based on the level of the majority of dancers. If the routine is split 50/50, the routine will be placed in the higher level.
Duets, Trios & Groups cannot compete in an age division more than one age lower than the oldest dancer, regardless of the average age. Example: a routine with a 15 year old performer may only compete in the Teen (12-14) or Senior (15-19) division regardless of the average age. A 15 year old may never compete in the Mini (8 & under) or Junior (9-11) age division.
No dancer that is registered in the advanced level will be permitted to dance in ANY starter level routine.
No level changes may be made at the competition.
Groups/Lines may be placed in a higher competition level than the average of the participants, but never a lower level. This must be done prior to the competition.
Studio owners can call 949-400-4736 for a complete schedule of entry fees, or reach the team any time.