• 2011 Rules

2011 World Finals

2011 Regional Schedule

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2011 Rules

• Entry Divisions
• Time Limits
• Acceptance
• Music
• Age Ranges
• Age Classes
• Categories
  • Performance
  • Regional Title Categories
  • Non-Performance Categories
  • Sub-Categories
• Additional Information
• Judging
• Awards
  • Top Score Cash Awards
  • Additional Cash Awards
  • Special Awards
• "Last Chance" Preliminary
• Last Chance Preliminary World Finals Entry Fees
• 2011 World Finals Information
• 2011 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 perform up to four solos at any regional competition. Soloists may perform up to four solos at any 2011 World Finals.

TIME LIMITS

Solo, Duet/Trio - 2:45 min

Small Group - 3:00 min

Large Group, Line - 4:00 min

Production - 6 min

Solo & Duet/Trio Extended Time - 3:15 Min (Solos, Duet/Trios)

Group Extended Time - 6 Min (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 by Mail or Online Registration no less than 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 Reserved, First Come" 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 Studio Director MUST electronically or manually sign the official StarQuest Release Form (located at the top of the Master Contestant List) in order for each participant to perform. Teachers' signatures are not acceptable for insurance reasons. This 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 be properly labeled and contain that entry only. Each individual CD must use the StarQuest preprinted labels included with your studio's teacher packet, or must be clearly labeled with name of routine, entry number and name of teacher/studio. You must 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 available for each of your CDs.)

AGE RANGES

All regional ages are as of January 1, 2011. 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. 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, 2011.

AGE CLASSES

Petite — Ages 8 & Under
Junior — Ages 9-11
Teen — Ages 12-14
Senior — Ages 15-19
Adult — Age 20+

PERFORMANCE CATEGORIES

The following Performance Categories can contain no more than 3 acrobatic tricks: Ballet, Clogging, Contemporary, Folkloric, Jazz, Lyrical, Modern, Pointe, and Tap. (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, except in Musical Theater or Open 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.

Contemporary: Routine incorporating lyrical or jazz movement fused with modern elements.

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.)

Wild Card: Routine from any of the above listed categories. 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.

SUB-CATEGORIES

Production: Any Large Group or Line routine utilizing sizeable scenic pieces for choreographic impact; or conveys a recurring theme through music or story may enter "Production". Any Line containing 35 performers or more, must enter "Production". "Production" entries are a sub-category eligible for their respective Large Group or Line Top Score Award in addition to the $200 "Production" Award. The judges choose the "Production" winner. There must be a minimum of 6 Petite/Junior "Production" entries to receive the Petite/Junior "Production" Award. There must be a minimum of 6 Teen/Senior "Production" entries to receive the Teen/Senior "Production" Award. (Routine may need to utilize Expanded Time if additional time is required.)

NewStar: 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 & Over. This also includes any studio director, full time instructor, student instructor, choreographer and/or working performer who is 20 & Over. (These routines are "adjudicated only" & compete for the Adult Award)

Parent: Routine that includes parents and/or parent w/students. (Parent routines supersede Production routines, are "adjudicated only" & compete for the Parent Award.)

REGIONAL TITLE CATEGORIES

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

Junior Miss StarQuest/Junior 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 all four 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, a StarQuest gift plus a StarQuest "Title Certificate" to our 2011 World Finals. Each title winner's picture will appear in our 2011 World Finals Program and 2012 Regional Programs. Simply circle title on the StarQuest Official Regional Entry Form indicating which routine/routines you wish to enter for the StarQuest regional title. 2010 Regional Title Winners cannot compete for a 2011 Regional Title within the same age class & same regional event. 2011 Regional Title Winners cannot compete for another 2011 Regional Title in another 2011 city. 2010 World Title Winners cannot compete for a 2011 Regional Title or a 2011 World Title within the same age class. (NewStar entries are not eligible for Title.) NOTE: You do not have to win a 2011 Regional Title to compete for the 2011 World Title! (See 2011 World Finals Rules for 2011 World Title Qualifying information.)

NON-PERFORMANCE CATEGORIES

Outstanding Costume: Outstanding Petite/Junior Solo Costume and Outstanding Teen/Senior Solo Costume; Outstanding Petite/Junior Duet/Trio Costume and Outstanding Teen/Senior Duet/Trio Costume; Outstanding Petite/Junior Group Costume (i.e., Small Group, Large Group, Line Divisions) and Outstanding Teen/Senior 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 Petite/Junior Solo and Teen/Senior 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, and dance studio. A minimum of 6 Photogenic entries per Petite/Junior Solo Photogenic and Teen/Senior 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

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 is responsible for personal injury or property loss to contestants or spectators.

The StarQuest time schedule, directions, regional competition update and sponsorship offers will be available online to all studios no less than one week before each competition date. A StarQuest teacher packet including custom CD labels, entry confirmation list, parent time sheet, and additional special offers will be mailed to all studios no less than one week before each competition date. (Schedules may vary from location to location depending on the number of routines that are registered.)

Any routine that won 1st Place Top Score at a 2010 regional competition cannot enter that same routine in the same age class with the same performers at a 2011 Regional or 2011 World Finals Competition. Any routine that won 1st Place Top Score at a 2000 World Finals cannot enter that same routine in the same age class with the same performers at a 2011 Regional or 2011 World Finals Competition. Incompleted routines will be "adjudicated only".

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 Duet/Trio, Small Group, Large Group or Line may compete more than once in the same category and age range. (Routines with more than 50% of the same contestants will simply need to be moved to a different category)

Only the highest scored routine, regardless of category, for each soloist goes into the top score pool. For Duet/Trios, if the exact same performers perform in multiple routines, their highest scored routine, regardless of category, goes into the top score pool.

Contestants must check in with our Stage Manager and perform in scheduled order unless our stage manager grants special permission. Failure to comply with any of these directives may result in the routine being "adjudicated only".

 

2 wireless hand-held microphones w/stands are available at each competition. Special (lavalier type) microphones or sound equipment may not be hooked up to the StarQuest sound system without prior office approval. No form of liquid, gel, aerosol, glitter may be used that would affect the dancing surface. Dangerous props such as fire, swords and knives are prohibited. Backdrops, hanging pieces or special lights are also prohibited. Choreography that allows any dancer to be physically placed more than 6 feet off the ground of any scenic piece or prop is not allowed without prior StarQuest office approval. Live animals are only allowed with prior StarQuest office approval. If stage is littered after your performance you will be responsible for an immediate and expeditious removal of any debris. Failure to follow these safety measures may result in the routine being "adjudicated only".

No video recording is allowed. No photography is allowed when a specifically licensed photographer is present at the event. Flash photography is never allowed. The use of video recording or unathorized photography may lead to an entry being "adjudicated only". We urge all studio owners, teachers, and especially parents to keep our performers photographically safe by reporting suspected photographic violations.

Good sportsmanship is expected form all contestants and teachers. Failure to display such conduct may result in the routine being "adjudicated only".

 

Any choreography music or costume considered inappropriate for family viewing by our judges will become "adjudicated only". Performances with thematic elements and "highly charged" issues reflecting a lack of discretion and awareness of the age and nature of a competition audience will be deemed inappropriate by our judges and will become "adjudicated only". See StarQuest and Appropriateness for further explanation.

JUDGING

A panel of highly qualified, competent judges will judge all performances. 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, and Silver 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 NewStar & Competitive "Platinum" Level winning entry in each Solo, Duet/Trio, Small Group, Large Group and Line division. One medal will be awarded to every NewStar & Competitive "High Gold", "Gold", "High Silver", and "Silver" Level winning entry in each Solo, Duet/Trio, Group and Line division. Adjudication ribbons or pins will be awarded to all NewStar & Competitive contestants in a Solo, Duet/Trio, Group or Line achieving a Platinum, High Gold, Gold, High Silver, or Silver performance level. " Category Ranking" ribbons will also be awarded to entries within each Competitive category & age range containing 6 or more entries. "NewStar High Score" plaques will be awarded to the top three highest scoring NewStar entries within each division. "NewStar High Scoret" pins will also be awarded to the contestants of the top three highest scoring NewStar entries within each division.

TOP SCORE CASH AWARDS

(Competitive Divisions Only!)

Top Score Solo: $50 plus a $25 SQ merchandise/video Gift Certificate & a 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 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 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 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 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 NewStar Division.)

ADDITIONAL CASH AWARDS

"Adult" Award: $75 plus a $25 SQ merchandise/video Gift Certificate and a trophy.

"Parent" Award: $75 and a trophy.

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

"Apogee" Award: $300 and a 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.

"LAST CHANCE" PRELIMINARY

"Last Chance" preliminary competition is held the morning of the first day of the 2011 World Finals. Studios unable to bring all of their entries to a 2011 regional competition can qualify additional routines at this preliminary! This applies to all studios that have entered any of our 2011 regional competitions as well as studios who were unable to attend one of our regional competitions.

Entries for the Providence, RI "Last Chance" Preliminary entries must be received in the StarQuest Office by Monday, May 16, 2011. Entries for the Wisconsin Dells, WI "Last Chance" Preliminary entries must be received in the StarQuest Office by Monday, May 30, 2011. Entries for the Virginia Beach, VA "Last Chance" Preliminary entries must be received in the StarQuest Office by Monday, June 13, 2011.

2011 WORLD FINALS INFORMATION

NewStar & Competitive entries that score a Platinum, High Gold, Gold, High Silver, or Silver performance level at a regional competition are eligible to enter the 2011 World Finals. Contestants must enter the same division in which they qualified at the regional competition. A Performer may enter up to 4 Top Score Solo routines. A Top Score Solo routine must enter a "Last Chance' preliminary if any of these 4 routines has not competed at a 2011 Regional. 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 2011 World Finals as a Duet/Trio. Copies of birth certificates for all contestants competing in the 2011 World Finals must accompany the entry forms.All ages for the 2011 World Finals are as of January 1, 2011.

Entries for the Providence, RI World Finals must be received in the StarQuest Office by Monday, May 16, 2011. Entries for the Wisconsin Dells, WI World Finals must be received in the StarQuest Office by Monday, May 30, 2011. Entries for the Virginia Beach, VA World Finals must be received in the StarQuest Office by Monday, June 13, 2011.

2011 WORLD TITLE

The 2011 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 2011 Regional Title to compete for the 2011 World Title! 2010 World Title Winners cannot compete for a 2011 Regional Title or a 2011 World Title within the same age class. 2011 World Title winners cannot compete for another 2011 World Title in another 2011 World Finals city. You may only enter one (1) routine for World Title. You can choose to either: (A) Enter a routine from a previously qualified 2011 regional solo; (B) Enter a completely different routine in the same category as a previously qualified 2011 regional solo or; (C) Enter a completely new routine from any category. (A title routine does not need to enter a "Last Chance" Preliminary as long as the performer already competed at a 2011 Regional.) 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 2011 StarQuest World Title winner. Each 2011 World Title winner will receive a large trophy, StarQuest apparel plus a gift certificate to any 2012 StarQuest regional competition. Their picture will appear in our 2012 Regional and 2012 World Finals Programs. Female Title Winners will also receive a bouquet of flowers and a tiara.