• 2008 Regional Rules
• New 2008 Rules List

2007 World Finals

2008 Regional Schedule

Stay in Touch

Sign up to receive StarQuest email newsletters and be entered to win fun prizes!
Enter your email address:

2008 Regional Rules

• Entry Divisions
• Time Limits
• Acceptance
• Music
• Age Ranges
• Age Classes
• Categories
  • Performance
  • Regional Title Categories
  • Non-Performance Categories
  • Additional Categories
• Additional Information
• Judging
• Awards
  • Top Score Cash Awards
  • Additional Cash Awards
  • Special Awards
• Regional Entry Fees
• 2008 World Finals Information
• "Last Chance" Preliminary
• 2008 World Title

ENTRY DIVISIONS

Solo, Duet/Trio, Small Group (4-9 performers), Large Group (10-19 performers), Line (20 or more performers). The division placement of an entry is determined by the number of contestants who actually perform that entry at the competition, regardless of the number of performers who originally entered. An entry that changes division during the competition or is unable to perform within its scheduled division time may be "adjudicated only". Soloists may enter a maximum of two solos at a regional competition plus, a maximum of two" Performance Artist" routines at a regional competition. An unlimited number of solos may be performed at the 2008 World Finals.

TIME LIMITS

Solo, Duet/Trio - 2:45 min

Small Group - 3:00 min

Large Group, Line - 4:00 min

Production - 6 min

Extended Time - 6 Min (Solos, Duet/Trios, Small Groups, Large Groups, Lines)

Expanded Time - 8 min (Small Groups, Large Groups, Lines, Production)

(1 point will be deducted for every 5 seconds or portion thereof over the time limit.)

ACCEPTANCE

Entries must be received in the StarQuest office 28 days before the competition date. No phone, fax or e-mail entries will be accepted. All entries must be from a studio and will be accepted on a first come, first served basis. All studio entries are limited to the amount of performance time available. Entries are not considered received in the office without full studio payment and a Master Contestant List. Names and birth dates of all contestants must appear on the official Master Contestant List or the entry cannot be accepted. All entries received after the 28 day reception deadline MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY A CERTIFIED CHECK OR MONEY ORDER. Absolutely no cash refunds after deadline date! A $35 service fee will automatically be assessed for any and all checks returned to StarQuest from the bank. A $10 late fee per entry will be assessed for entries and/or monies received after the 28 day reception deadline. A $10 "Change Order" fee per change may be assessed for changes to any entry after the schedule is created. This includes late changes before and during the competition. All studio entries must be submitted together or a processing fee of $10 per entry will be assessed.

Release Forms: Each performer's parent or legal guardian MUST sign the official StarQuest Release Form (copied from the Master Contestant List) in order for each participant to perform at StarQuest. Teachers' signatures are not acceptable for insurance reasons. This original signed release form must be received in the StarQuest office with all the completed entry forms by the deadline date.

MUSIC

Each studio must furnish its own music for each entry on a good quality individual CD. Each individual CD must contain only one routine, be properly labeled, cued and ready to start. Each individual CD must use the StarQuest preprinted labels included with your confirmation packet clearly labeled with name of routine, entry number and name of teacher/studio. Turn in all CDs for each specific competition day to the Sound Engineer no later than 1/2 hour before the beginning of that day's competition. (Be sure to have a back-up CD or cassette tape available for each of your CDs.)

AGE RANGES

All regional ages are as of January 1, 2008. All entries in the Jazz, Lyrical & Tap categories will compete in the following age ranges: 4 & Under, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 & Over. Entries in other performance categories will compete in the following age ranges: 4 & Under, 5-6, 7-8, 9-11, 12-14, 15-16, 17-19, 20 & Over. (Note: For Duet/Trios, Small Groups, Large Groups and Lines, the average age determines the age range into which you may enter. Add the ages of all the contestants, then divide by the number of contestants. When an average age ends in .5 or above, round DOWN. Duet/Trios, Groups & Lines that include dancers of different age division will compete no more than one age division younger than the oldest dancers, regardless of average age. (Example: If a group includes a dancer Age 16 (Senior) and the average age is 11 (Junior), the group will compete one level above Junior = Age 12 (Teen). The youngest dancer performing in any routine must perform no less than 50% of the routine. (See StarQuest FAQs on the web site for additional information.) Contestants may be required to present proof of age in the form of a birth certificate if a protest regarding age occurs. Such protest must be presented in writing to the director of StarQuest International within one-half hour of the performance of the entry in question. Remember: All regional ages are as of January 1, 2008.

AGE CLASSES

Petite — Ages 8 & Under
Junior — Ages 9-11
Teen — Ages 12-14
Senior — Ages 15-19

PERFORMANCE CATEGORIES

The following Performance Categories can contain no more than 3 acrobatic tricks: Ballet, Pointe, Jazz, Tap, Folkloric, Clogging, Lyrical and Modern. (Lifts, leaps and splits are allowed). Any routine with more than 3 tricks in the aforementioned categories will receive a 2 point deduction. Any routine requiring tap shoes, regardless of category, cannot have taps on tape or 5 points will be deducted off the entire routine.

Acrobatic/Gymnastic Dance: Routine using controlled moves such as walkovers, limbers, handstands, chestrolls, etc. May contain gymnastic passes, flexibility moves, and/or contortionist moves. (A tumbling pass is considered one trick.) Must contain dance moves, steps and choreography.

Ballet: Routine must consist of ballet technique, classical steps and movements.

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

Character: Routine must portray a character throughout. Can be from a play, movie, television, Broadway, or a stereotype such as a policeman, cowboy, doctor, animal, etc.

Cheerleading: Routine must use cheerleading style combining leaps, jumps, vocal cheering and precision.

Clogging: Routine using clogging technique and style.

Folkloric: Routine using ethnic styles of dance such as Polkas, Hawaiian, Spanish, Celtic, etc.

Hip-Hop: Routine using primarily hip-hop technique and moves.

Jazz: Routine using primarily jazz technique.

Lyrical: Routine encompassing the use of balance, flexibility and control utilizing the lyrics and feeling of the music.

Modern: Interpretive routine using a contemporary/modern style. Should incorporate balance, control, and extension moves.

Musical Theatre: Routine utilizing a Broadway or Movie Musical Song incorporating dance, characters and/or costumes.

Open: Routine which does not fit into one of our performance categories or a routine which is a combination of two or more of our performance categories. May include no more than 50% acrobatic/gymnastic moves. Any entry in the Open category that is straight dance (i.e., tap jazz, ballet, etc.) could become ineligible for Top Score Awards. (See Wild Card category.)

Pantomime/Lip Sync: Portrayal of a stereotype or impersonation through pantomime and costume.

Pointe: Routine must consist of pointe/toe technique.

Pom Pon: Routine demonstrating precision marching and sharp, definitive choreography. Must use pom pons for at least 75% of routine.

Song & Dance: Routine must contain both live singing and any category of dance. Accompaniment must be on CD and there must be no lead voices on the CD. (5 points will be deducted for lead voices on CD. Back-up vocals permitted.)

Tap: Routine utilizing tap technique. (5 points will be deducted for taps on CD.)

Vocal: Song may be any musical style (i.e., country-western, rock-n-roll, classical, blues, etc.) Accompaniment must be on CD and there must be no lead voices on the CD. (5 points will be deducted for lead voices on CD. Back-up voices permitted.) All Vocal routines are eligible for Performance Artist Award only.

Wild Card: Routine from any of the above listed categories, excluding the Vocal category. The Wild Card category can only be used after a routine with the same performer(s) from any of the above listed categories is already entered.

ADDITIONAL CATEGORIES

Production (Lines Only) NEW!: Routine up to 6 minutes in length which utilizes sizeable scenic pieces for choreographic impact; that conveys a recurring theme through music or story; or has a minimum of 35 performers or more. All "Production" Line entries are automatically eligible for Top Score Awards in their age class. There must be a minimum of 6 Petite/Junior "Production" Line entries to receive the Petite/Junior "Production" Award. There must be a minimum of 6 Teen/Senior "Production" Line entries to receive the Teen/Senior "Production" Award. (Routine may need to utilize Expanded Time if additional time is required.)

Recreational: Routine which includes only dancers who take or have taken 3 hours or less of dance class per week during the last 3 years.

Adult: Routine that includes a performer who is 20 years older. (20 & Over includes Adult, Parent, & Pro-Am which are NOT eligible for Top Score Awards.)

Parent: Routine that includes parents and/or parent w/students will be adjudicated & may choose to compete for the Parent Award.

Pro-Am: Routine which includes a studio director, full time instructor, choreographer, working performer of any age and/or any student instructor who is 20 years & Over.

Performance Artist: Routine in any age and division exclusively from the "Vocal" category. A maximum of two vocal routines utilizing two different musical stylings may be entered.

REGIONAL TITLE CATEGORIES

Petite Miss StarQuest/Petite Mr. StarQuest: Ages 8 & Under

Jr Miss StarQuest/Jr. Mr. StarQuest: Ages 9-11

Teen Miss StarQuest/Teen Mr. StarQuest: Ages 12-14

Miss StarQuest/Mr. StarQuest: Ages 15-19

A soloist may enter one or both of their regional solo routines for the regional title. Each title entry's score is separate and not related to its adjudication score. The title score is based on the performer's overall performance ability, personality and entertainment skills in addition to technique. Each title winner will receive a large trophy, ConQuest Dance Intensive Scholarship, a StarQuest T-shirt plus a StarQuest "Title Certificate" to our 2008 World Finals. Each title winner's picture will appear in our 2008 World Finals Program and 2009 Regional Programs. Simply place a (√) on the StarQuest Official Regional Entry Form indicating which routine/routines you wish to enter for the StarQuest regional title. 2007 Regional Title Winners cannot compete for a 2008 Regional Title within the same age class. 2007 World Title Winners cannot compete for a 2008 Regional Title or a 2008 World Title within the same age class. (Recreational entries are not eligible for Title.) NOTE: You do not have to win a 2008 Regional Title to compete for the 2008 World Title! (See 2008 World Finals Rules for 2008 World Title Qualifying information.)

NON-PERFORMANCE CATEGORIES

Outstanding Costume: Outstanding "11 & Under" Solo Costume and Outstanding "12 & Over" Solo Costume; Outstanding "11 & Under" Duet/Trio Costume and Outstanding "12 & Over" Duet/Trio Costume; Outstanding "11 & Under" Group Costume (i.e., Small Group, Large Group, Line Divisions) and Outstanding "12 & Over" Group Costume. All StarQuest entries are automatically eligible for Outstanding Costume Awards at no additional cost.

Outstanding Photogenic: Awarded to the contestant judged to be the most photogenic in the "11 & Under" Solo and "12 & Over" Solo divisions only. Entries in this category must already be participating in the competition and must submit a recent 5x7 or 8x10 photo in black & white or color. Photos must accompany each photogenic entry. Head and shoulder shots are preferred. Back of photo must have name, age, address, phone number, dance studio, height and weight. A minimum of 6 Photogenic entries per "11 & Under" Solo Photogenic and "12 & Over" Solo Photogenic must be registered or a combination of ages will occur. Winning photos will be displayed at each StarQuest Regional Event & on the StarQuest website. Judged photos will be returned in the designated studio packet picked up by the studio director at the end of the event.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The same contestant(s) cannot compete more than once in the same category and age range in Solos or Duet/Trios to prevent performers from competing against themselves. No more than 50% of any Small Group, Large Group or Line may compete more than once in the same category and age range.

Contestants must check in with our Stage Manager and perform in scheduled order unless special permission is granted by our Stage Manager. If permission is not obtained, points may be deducted. Contestants give their permission to the director of StarQuest International to use their photographs and/or videos in connection with advertising, TV, web site and news coverage of our competitions. Neither StarQuest International, its directors and staff, nor the hosting facility are responsible for personal injury or property loss to contestants or spectators.

2 wireless hand-held microphones w/stands are available at each competition. Special (lavalier type) microphones or sound equipment may not be hooked up. Dangerous props such as fire, swords and knives are prohibited. Live animals are not allowed. No form of liquid, gel, aerosol, glitter, etc. may be used that would affect the dancing surface. Backdrops, hanging pieces or special lights are also prohibited. General props (free standing or hand held) are restricted to a maximum height of 10 feet. In addition, a dancer may not stand above 6 feet. The use of safety railings may be used; however, the total prop height with railings may not exceed 10 feet. If stage is littered after your performance you will be responsible for an immediate and expeditious removal of any debris.

If you do not have an Entry Form/Master Contestant List go to our forms section, download the form, fill it out and mail it to StarQuest with required entry fees. A complete StarQuest confirmation packet including a time schedule, entry confirmation list, directions, custom CD labels and other pertinent information, etc. will be sent to all studios one week before each competition date.

Good sportsmanship is expected from all contestants and teachers. Failure to display such conduct may result in disqualification. Video taping, movie cameras and flash photography are strictly prohibited. No smoking in the competition area.

An entry may become ineligible for Top Score if a studio name or its nickname is used as the name of the routine or identified on any jacket, costume, prop or scenery on stage during set up or performance. Incompleted routines will receive a deduction of 5 points from the routine's total score. Any routine that won 1st Place Top Score at a 2007 regional competition cannot enter that same routine in a 2008 Regional or 2008 World Finals Competition. Any routine that won 1st Place Top Score at a 2007 World Finals cannot enter that same routine in a 2008 Regional or 2008 World Finals Competition.

Any choreography, music or costume considered inappropriate for family viewing will have points deducted and will not be eligible for Top Score Awards!

JUDGING

All contestants will be judged by a panel of well-qualified, competent judges. All contestants, teachers, and parents agree that the method of judging shall be solely within the discretion of the directors of StarQuest International and that all decisions of the judges are final. Contestants will be adjudicated against a point system. In this way, the contestants receive a more accurate evaluation of their performance. With this scoring system, multiple Platinum, High Gold, Gold, High Silver, Silver and Bronze adjudication awards may be presented within each age division for each category of competition. StarQuest produces a CD for every entry containing the verbal critiques of all 3 judges for that particular routine! Studio Directors may pick up these CDs at the end of each competition day.

AWARDS

One plaque will be awarded to every Recreational & Competitive "Platinum" Level winning entry in each Solo, Duet/Trio, Small Group, Large Group and Line division. One medal will be awarded to every Recreational & Competitive "High Gold", "Gold", "High Silver", "Silver" and "Bronze" Level winning entry in each Solo, Duet/Trio, Group and Line division. Adjudication ribbons will be awarded to all Recreational & Competitive contestants in a Solo, Duet/Trio, Group or Line achieving a Platinum, High Gold, Gold, High Silver, Silver or Bronze performance level. An overall ranking trophy will be awarded to the highest scoring recreational entry in each division. Overall ranking ribbons will be awarded to all contestants in the highest scoring recreational entry in each division. Within each Competitive category & age range containing 6 or more entries, the highest category ranking entries also receive an additional placement ribbon.

TOP SCORE CASH AWARDS

(All Competitive Divisions Awarded!)

Top Score Solo: $50 plus a $25 SQ merchandise/video Gift Certificate & a special trophy will be awarded to the highest scoring Solo in the Petite, Junior, Teen & Senior age classes. (If a contestant performs more than one solo, only the highest scoring solo is eligible for this award.)

Top Score Duet/Trio: $75 & a special trophy will be awarded to the highest scoring Duet/Trio in the Petite, Junior, Teen & Senior age classes. (If the same Duet or Trio performs more than one time, their highest scoring entry will be eligible for this award.)

Top Score Small Group: $100 & a special trophy will be awarded to the highest scoring Small Group in the Petite, Junior, Teen & Senior age classes.

Top Score Large Group: $125 plus a $25 Gift Certificate toward SQ entry fees & a special trophy will be awarded to the highest scoring Large Group in the Petite, Junior, Teen & Senior age classes.

Top Score Line: $150 plus a $25 Gift Certificate toward SQ entry fees & a special trophy will be awarded to the highest scoring Line in the Petite, Junior, Teen & Senior age classes.

(Note: Each Petite, Junior, Teen & Senior division must have a minimum of 5 entries to be awarded the "Top Score" cash prize in that division. There are no cash awards presented in the Recreational Division.)

ADDITIONAL CASH AWARDS

"Performance Artist" Award: $50 plus a $25 SQ merchandise/video Gift Certificate and a special trophy.

"Adult" Award: $50 plus a $25 SQ merchandise/video Gift Certificate and a special trophy.

"Parent" Award: $75 and a special trophy.

"Pro-Am" Award:$75 and a special trophy.

"Production Category" Award (NEW!): $200 and a special plaque will be awarded to the Petite/Junior "Production" winner. (Minimum of 6 Petite/Junior production entries required.) $200 and a special plaque will be awarded to the Teen/Senior "Production" winner. (Minimum of 6 Teen/Senior production entries required.)

"Apogee" Award: $300 and a special trophy will be awarded to the overall highest scoring regional group entry from all the Competitive Small Groups, Large Groups & Lines. All cash awards will be awarded to the teacher or director. There will be no ties in the Top Score, Special & Cash Awards, with the exception of the Participation Award. In the event of a tie, the scoresheets will be returned to the judges, who will then break the tie.

SPECIAL AWARDS

Judges "Special" Awards: Unique, personally hand designed ribbons from our judges acknowledging individual & group achievement presented at every awards ceremony!

Choreography Awards: Specially engraved plaques for outstanding choreography will be awarded at each regional competition.

Odyssey Award: Specially engraved gold plaques for the most memorable/entertaining performance in the "11 & Under" and in the "12 & Over" division will also be awarded.

Participation Award: Gift Certificates ranging from $150 to $500 toward our 2008 StarQuest World Finals or a 2009 regional competition will be mailed to the winning studio(s) or school(s).

REGIONAL ENTRY FEES

Solo: $77
Duet/Trio: $88
Small Group, Large Group, Line: $31 per person
Production (Lines Only): $34 per person
Miss/Mr. StarQuest Title: $35 per title entry
Photogenic: $25 ($5 each additional photo)
Extended Time (up to 6 min): $2 addl per person (Solos, Duet/Trios, Small Groups, Large Groups, Lines)
Expanded Time (up to 8 min): $3 addl per person (Small Groups, Large Groups, Lines)
Entry Late Fee: $10 per entry

Absolutely no cash refunds after deadline date!

"LAST CHANCE" PRELIMINARY

"Last Chance" preliminary competition is held the morning of the first day of the 2008 World Finals. Studios unable to bring all of their entries to a 2008 regional competition can qualify additional routines at this preliminary! This applies to all studios that have entered any of our 2008 regional competitions as well as studios who were unable to attend one of our regional competitions. For complete rules & details about the StarQuest 2008 "Last Chance" Preliminary go to 2008 World Finals Information.

Entries for the Long Beach, CA "Last Chance" Preliminary/World Finals must be received in the StarQuest Office by Monday, May 26, 2008.
Entries for the St. Louis, MO "Last Chance" Preliminary/World Finals must be received in the StarQuest Office by Monday, June 2, 2008.
Entries for the Virginia Beach, VA "Last Chance" Preliminary/World Finals must be received in the StarQuest Office by Monday, June 16, 2008.

2008 WORLD FINALS INFORMATION

Recreational & Competitive entries that score a Platinum, High Gold, Gold, High Silver, or Silver performance level at a regional competition are eligible to enter the 2008 World Finals. Contestants must enter the same division and performance category in which they qualified at the regional competition. Duet/Trios, Small Groups, Large Groups and Lines that have qualified at a regional competition may substitute performers provided the substitution is less than 50% and the entry remains in the same performance category. Reduction in Group or Line size is allowed. (These changes may produce a change in age range.) If a Small Group that qualified at a regional competition drops in size to 2 or 3 performers, it may compete at the 2008 World Finals as a Duet/Trio. Copies of birth certificates for all contestants competing in the 2008 World Finals must accompany the entry forms. The 2008 World Finals rules, regulations and entry fees are available at 2008 World Finals Rules! and at each regional competition. All ages for the 2008 World Finals are as of January 1, 2008.

Entries for the Long Beach, CA World Finals must be received in the StarQuest Office by Monday, May 26, 2008.
Entries for the St. Louis, MO World Finals must be received in the StarQuest Office by Monday, June 2, 2008.
Entries for the Virginia Beach, VA World Finals must be received in the StarQuest Office by Monday, June 16, 2008.

2008 WORLD TITLE

The 2008 World Title competition is scheduled in different time slots and, sometimes, on different days than the Top Score Solo competition (unlike regional title competition). You do not have to enter or win a 2008 Regional Title to compete for the 2008 World Title! 2007 World Title Winners cannot compete for a 2008 Regional Title or a 2008 World Title within the same age class. The 2008 World Title Entry Fee is only $65. You may only enter one (1) routine for World Title. You can choose to either: (A) Enter a routine from a previously qualified 2008 regional solo; (B) Enter a completely different routine in the same category as a reviously qualified 2008 regional solo or; (C) Enter a completely new routine from any category (except Vocal) that must pre-qualify at the "Last Chance" preliminary. The title entry does not receive an adjudication award and the score is based on the performer's overall performance ability, personality, entertainment skills as well as technique. The contestant with the highest title score is the 2008 StarQuest World Title winner. You can also separately enter this routine for Top Score Solo. (Top Score Solo Entry Fee is $87.) Each 2008 World Title winner will receive a large trophy, a 2008 ConQuest Dance Intensive Scholarship, StarQuest apparel plus a gift certificate to any 2009 StarQuest regional competition. Their picture will appear in our 2009 Regional and 2009 World Finals Programs. Female Title Winners will also receive a bouquet of flowers and a tiara.