Each event offers prizes worth up to $10,000, including cash, certificates, and scholarships! Certificate prizes are awarded exclusively in the Shooting & All-Star Levels. Certificates can be applied to this season’s Nationals or the following season’s Regionals. Cash prizes are available only in the All-Star Levels. Scholarship prizes are accessible to all levels and can be redeemed at the following season’s regionals.

All routines are adjudicated and ordinally scored.

There are no point deductions for any protective gear chosen to be worn during performances (i.e., masks) or for competitors unable to wear costumes. 

Our judges are knowledgeable professionals in a variety of performance genres. The judges break all ties and may move routines to the appropriate genres and levels. 

All judges’ decisions are final. 

At the discretion of the judges, directors, or managers, disregarding or challenging the rules will result in disqualification, point deductions, or adjudication only. Routines may also not be eligible for Titles, Top 5/10, and OHS. See our Rules/Guidelines page for more information. (CLICK HERE)

PAGE TABLE OF CONTENTS 

1. Judging Criteria & Points Per Judge 

2. Placement and Adjudicated Scoring & Awards 

3. Awards or Charitable Donations, Spark Nominations & Awards 

4. Improv/ Photogenic/ Modeling Criteria & Awards 

5. Titles/ Scholarships/ MVC’s Criteria & Awards

6. Entertainer of the Year Nominations & Awards Criteria

7. Top 5/10 High-Scores Criteria & Awards 

8. Overall High-Scores Criteria & Awards 

9. Judge’s & Event Specials Criteria & Awards 

10. **NEW** Creative Masters GOLDEN BUZZER & All Access Passes 

1. JUDGING CRITERIA

ALL GENRES:

• Once you are announced, you are judged until you have exited the stage
• Judges are looking for clean routines that contain difficulty, proper technique, timing & flow, combined with enthusiasm, energy, and enjoyment appropriate for the age, level & genre

MODELING: 

• Judged on presence & personality, overall appearance, sense of style & charm
• A minimum of 5 competitors in the modeling genre must compete for a Top 5/10 to be awarded
• A minimum of 5 different competitors per age group must compete for a Top 5/10 to be awarded separately; if not, a combination of ages will occur 

PHOTOGENIC:

• Visual appeal, hair, makeup, clothing, expressiveness, posture, composition, setting, lighting, age-appropriateness, and quality of the photo are being judged
• Photos must be recent and can be in color or black & white 
• When preparing your photogenic entries, think of photos that are submitted for auditions or casting opportunities
• Photos must be uploaded to your registration account at the time of entry (no physical photos will be accepted)
• NO high scores awarded in this genre

POINTS PER JUDGE

Scores are based on three judges, with a maximum of 100 points per judge, with 300 being a perfect score.

Technique: up to 30 points

Showmanship: up to 30 points

Rhythm/Timing: up to 25 points

Choreography: up to 10 points

Overall Appearance: up to 5 points

Overall Appearance encompasses general appearance, including age-appropriate costuming, makeup, tights, shoes, music, and dance styles and moves. Points will be deducted for inappropriate costumes, music, or dance moves. 

2. PLACEMENT SCORING 

1st, 2nd, and 3rd place awarded in each category! 

“Example 10-12yrs Lyrical Shooting Star Solos, announced from last to 1st place. Routines from last to 4th place are adjudicated only. 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places are announced along with their adjudicated scores. Placement awards are separate from our Top 5/10 awards.”

1st, 2nd & 3rd PLACE AWARDS

REGIONALS:

• Group Routines receive acrylic butterfly awards provided to the school and adjudicated pin(s) or ribbon(s) for each competitor
• Solo & D/T’s receive an acrylic or metal plate given to each competitor

NATIONALS:

• Group Routines receive a 1 column Trophy provided to the school and adjudicated pin(s) or ribbon(s) for each competitor
• Solo & D/T’s receive a butterfly award given to each competitor

ADJUDICATED SCORING

If there is only one routine in terms of age, level, genre, and division size. In that case, routines must achieve a minimum score in each level to receive 1st place when alone in the category, or the routines will be adjudicated only. 

Minimum Score: Rising Star: 260 points  ~  Shooting Star: 270 points  ~  All-Star: 285 points

ADJUDICATED AWARDS

REGIONALS:

• Group Routines receive an acrylic or metal plate provided to the school and adjudicated pin(s) or ribbon(s) for each competitor
• Solo & D/T’s receive a medal given to each competitor

NATIONALS:

• Group Routines receive a butterfly award provided to the school and adjudicated pin(s) or ribbon(s) for each competitor
• Solo & D/T’s receive a acrylic or metal plate given to each competitor

3. AWARDS OR CHARITABLE DONTATIONS

Schools can either receive awards or donate their value to Spark Evolution! 

• You can choose to donate your placement and adjudication awards for any of the following: solo, duet/trio, group awards, or any combination of these
• Select the donation option on your registration account at the time of entry if you choose to donate
• Competitors should stand to be recognized when they are announced
• When choosing to donate, your school will receive all additional awards
• Inform All teachers, parents, and competitors that while routines are announced, no physical awards will be given for routines designated for donation

Spark Evolution Regional Nominations & Nationals Award

The arts serve as a vital medium for raising awareness, and our events transcend mere competition by offering enriching experiences that foster personal and artistic growth. We recognize and honor select social awareness routines performed at Regionals with a certificate to compete for our Spark award at the National level. 

Optional: For a fee, schools may upgrade routines to vie for the award, which includes routines that may have yet to compete or receive a judge’s nomination at Regionals. These routines must be suitable for the performers’ ages and family audiences.

*SPARK EVOLUTION* is a non-profit organization dedicated to creating a judgment-free environment by educating the public about today’s social issues through social media and entertainment, including music, dance, & acting. #antibully #antiviolence #racialunity #lgbtq #equalrights #autismawareness & much more…

4. IMPROV/ PHOTOGENIC/ MODELING/ PRODUCTION

CRITERIA & AWARDS

IMPROV INFORMATION 

For competitors who can’t stop dancing. 

• At the time of entry, sign up your interested competitors; select a genre, age & routine size at the time of registration (no level in this category)
• Music is DJ’s Choice, and will play 3 seconds of a song for your competitor to hear and then they will have 1 minute to perform
• Critiques, scores & awards presented

REGIONAL & NATIONAL AWARDS:

• 1st, 2nd, & 3rd Place receives adjudicated pins & medals
• Adjudicated routines receive adjudicated pins 

PHOTOGENIC & MODELING

NATIONALS INFORMATION:

• All regional requirements apply
• All Modeling routines will be performed on the first day of the Nationals
• Modeling & Photogenic will be announced during the 1st award ceremony
• The Top 3 Winners in both are provided with FREE TE Gear keep & model during our Closing Award Ceremony 

REGIONAL AWARDS:

• 1st, 2nd & 3rd are awarded a photogenic or modeling pin and medal
• Adjudicated photos will receive photogenic or modeling pin

NATIONAL AWARDS:

• 1st, 2nd & 3rd are awarded a photogenic or modeling pin, awards plate, and more above
• Adjudicated photos will receive a photogenic or modeling pin and medal 

PRODUCTIONS

Judges criteria above apply. There must be three or more productions to award a skyscraper trophy. Productions are announced after Top 5/10 awards. At times, Mega & or Large groups may be combined with productions so we can award our Skyscraper award. 

• – 1st Place Winners receive a Skyscraper (6’+) Trophy provided to the school and adjudicated pin(s) or ribbon(s) for each competitor
• – After 1st place, receive a trophy or banner provided to the school and adjudicated pin(s) or ribbon(s) for each competitor 

5. TITLES/ SCHOLARSHIPS/ MVC’s CRITERIA & AWARDS

TITLE Scholarships are awarded at each national competition to the highest-scoring SR (13-15, 16-18) competitors within all genres and levels vying for the Title. There must be 5 or more competitors in the SR divisions for scholarships to be awarded at each national. A check of no less than $500 will be made out and mailed to the winner’s school toward their tuition for the following season. Each scholarship winner will receive a check of at least $500. 

AGE GROUPS

Mini Miss & Mister: 6yrs & Under

JR Miss & Mister: 7-9yrs, 10-12yrs

SR Miss & Mister: 13-15yrs, 16-18yrs

Adult Miss & Mister: 19-21yrs, 22yrs & Up

REGIONAL CRITERIA: Miss and Mister

• There must be 3 or more competitors in the JR (7-9yrs, 10-12yrs), SR (13-15yrs, 16-18yrs) Adults (19-21yrs, 22yrs & Up) to be awarded separately
• With less than 3 competitors, ages JR (7-12yrs combined), SR (13-21yrs combined) and Adults (19yrs & Up combined), all levels will be separated
• There must be 3 or more Dance and Acro & Musical Theatre, Acting,  Vocal, Song/Dance, and Instrumental title competitors in each age group for them to be awarded separately
• Competitors registering in our title solo category compete in their regular solo division for adjudication, ordinal, title and all high-score awards 
• The Top 3 in all age groups & levels,  will be announced and awarded

AWARDS:

• 1st place Mini, JR, SR and Adult MS and MR That’s Entertainment wins the Title, Tiara or Crown, Sash & Title pin
• 2nd & 3rd place runner-up receive Title pins and a placement ribbon

NATIONALS CRITERIA: Miss and Mister 

• Regional rules apply to Nationals along with information below
• Dance/Acro will be combined for Title
• Musical Theatre/Acting/Vocal/Instrumental/Song & Dance will be combined for Title

• An on-stage question will take place at Nationals and is worth up to 5 points per judge
• Q&A along with your composite scores will be used to determine the title winners
• The Top 3 in all age groups & levels,  will be announced and awarded
• The highest score wins the Title

AWARDS:

• 1st place Mini, JR, SR & Adult Miss & Mister TE wins the Title, Tiara or Crown, Sash, Title pin & Gift
• All Winners are invited to perform at any of the following season’s Regional Events & present awards wearing their Sash and Crown or Tiara
• Opportunities for TE Internships & more
• 2nd-3rd place Mini, JR, SR & Adult Miss & Mister TE receive runner-up Crown or Tiara

MVC SCHOLARSHIP CRITERIA & AWARDS

(MVC- Most Valuable Competitor)

MVCs are selected by the judges based on solo performances and awarded at Regionals & Nationals.  All ages and levels are eligible for this award.

REGIONAL & NATIONAL AWARDS:

• One free solo scholarship toward the following regional season to each of the following competitions: That’s Entertainment, Luv2dance, and Curtainline 
• A ½ Scholarship to each of the following conventions: Glow Dance Experience and Activate Your Artistry
• Each company may have its own details and requirements; be sure to contact them directly for more details

TE Details & Requirements: Must attend with their school, and minimum entry fees are required to attend a TE event after all discounts, scholarships, coupons, and more. The school must submit the certificate before payment for the event you choose to redeem the award. 

6. ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR 

(EOTY) NOMINATIONS & AWARDS CRITERIA

Regionally Nominated EOTY:

Judges will nominate and award one routine from each school with an EOTY banner or poster based on entertainment value only. This routine will compete for the Entertainer of the Year Cup at Nationals.

Nationals Eligibility for EOTY:

• Register and pay for your routine nominated by the judges at regionals
• The routine size may change from Regionals to Nationals as long as it remains a group routine
• Optional: For a fee, schools can upgrade routines to vie for the award, including those that have not yet competed or received a judge’s nomination at Regionals
• The Top 3 EOTY routines will be selected by the judges and announced during the event to compete again at our Final Award Ceremony & Showcase
• This prestigious cup is awarded to one routine per Nationals based solely on its entertainment value
  

Awards: Prove you’re ready for the big time by participating and competing for the EOTY Title, Cup, and bragging rights. But that’s not all

• Winners receive one free routine for the following season’s Nationals for the chance to keep the EOTY Title
• Choreographers of the winning routines will have the opportunity to choreograph, teach, and appear in our next music video or dance scene in a short film at the following season’s Nationals
• Choreographer and studio name recognition will appear in the music video credits

7. TOP 5/10 HIGH-SCORES CRITERIA & AWARDS

Super Star, Parent, Student/Teacher routines are not eligible for Top 5/10. 

“Although the criteria outlined below are adhered to, certain high scores are adjusted based on the entries received to ensure that all routines have the opportunity to qualify for a high score, provided they can be appropriately accommodated. This may involve combining ages, divisions, genres, and levels.”

High Scores awarded to: 

• 5-9 routines: Top 5 awarded; 10 or more routines: Top 10 awarded for each age, level, and division
• Less than 5 routines, No high score unless there is an appropriate combination 
• *All ages* in the Shining Star (Student Choreography) level are combined 
• Dance & Acro Combined (Musical Theatre is combined with Dance & Acro when there are no Acting, Vocal, Song/Dance & Instrumental routines) 
• Musical Theatre, Acting, Vocal, Song/Dance & Instrumental Combined (When there are enough routines in the following genres, we will separate *Musical Theatre & Acting* & *Vocal, Song/Dance & Instrumental*)
• Mini (6 yrs & Under), Junior (7-9 yrs and/or 10-12 yrs) & Senior (13-15 yrs and/or 16-18 yrs), Adults (19-21 yrs  and/or 22 yrs & Up) for Rising, Shooting & All-Star levels in Solos, D/T’s, Groups (Small Groups will be separated from Large & Mega Groups when there are enough routines to do so) 
• Minimum requirement of 5 routines in each age, level & division for (JR: 7-9 & 10-12) or (SR: 13-15 & 16-18) to be awarded separately (if there are less than 5 in each age, all JR’s will be combined & all SR’s will be combined) 
• If your competitor has more than one solo, only the highest-scoring solo will be announced (If any of the solos entered have reached a high score)

TOP 5/10 HIGH SCORE AWARDS 

Cash Prize Certificates are exclusively granted to the Top 10 (1st place winners) in the JR/SR, Shooting, and All-Star levels at Regionals and Nationals. 

Cash Prize Certificates: Solos: $50 ~ D/T’s: $75 ~ Groups: $100

REGIONAL AWARDS:

• 1st Place Winners receive a 2 x 3ft ba nner awarded to the school, and HS ribbon(s) or fans given to each competitor 
• 2-10 Place Winners receive a certificate awarded to the school 

NATIONAL AWARDS:

• 1st Place Winners receive a 24in (2 post) Trophy awarded to the school, and HS ribbon(s) or fans given to each competitor 
• 2-10 Place Winners receive a certificate awarded to the school

8. OVERALL HIGH-SCORES CRITERIA 

Adult, Mini, Modeling, Parent, Productions, Shining Star, Student/Teacher and Super Star routines are not eligible for the OHS of the Event. 

• The Overall High Score (OHS) of the event combines JR/SR routines in each level 
• There must be 20 or more Dance/Acro & Musical Theatre/Vocal/Instrumental/Song & Dance routines in each level to award an OHS separately; if not, they are combined 
• There must be 20 or more routines in each level – Rising, Shooting, & All-Star – to be awarded an OHS separately; if not, there may be combinations 

OVERALL HIGH SCORE AWARDS

“A CASH prize will be awarded to the highest-scoring All-Star winner, provided there are 50 or more routines. If there are fewer than 50 routines, a cash prize certificate will be given instead. A cash prize certificate is awarded to the highest scoring Shooting Star winner.”  

Cash Prize Certificates: $150 for any routine size

Cash Prizes: Solos: $200 ~ D/T’s: $300 ~ Groups: $500 

Rising, Shooting, & All-Star OHS Winners Receive:

REGIONALS: A 3ft trophy for the school and OHS fans given to each competitor NATIONALS: A 4ft+ trophy for the school and OHS fans given to each competitor

9. JUDGE’S & EVENT SPECIALS 

JUDGE’S SPECIALS: Awarded by the judges to routines or competitors that resonated with them which they would like to acknowledge during each session. 1 Certificate is awarded to the school & special award bracelets to each competitor.

EVENT SPECIALS: Sportsmanship, Showmanship & ADCC are awarded at every event. Judges may award additional Event Specials of their choice. 1 award presented to a school or routines.

Judges and staff choose Sportsmanship. Schools are observed throughout the event to see who portrays the best sportsmanship. We encourage you to go home with one or more friends than you came with. 

Showmanship is presented to a school or performance with outstanding stage presence in its routine(s). 

ADCC Studio of Excellence Award is presented to a studio that exemplifies the mission & purpose of The ADCC, uniting to promote Quality, Integrity, & Opportunity within the dance competition industry. From registration to the event, competitors, staff & family members are watched to see who exhibits overall studio excellence. Being easy to work with, showing all competitors & TE staff respect, sharing dressing room space, and keeping facilities clean are considered. Studios will receive a banner & a featured ad with the ADCC; studios must register for their ad. 

Judge’s Choice is presented to a routine or school’s performances that stand out throughout the event. 

Triple Threat is presented to a routine or school showing outstanding singing, dancing & acting skills. 

Creativity is presented to a routine or school with outside-the-box thinking. 

Bound for Big Things is presented to a routine or school destined for greatness.

Passion is presented to a routine or school that performs its heart out.

Genelle’s Picture Perfect Award honors a long-time staff member, specifically a photographer who passed in 2021. Judges and the media crew will choose this award for the routine with the most picture-perfect moments.

10. CREATIVE MASTERS GOLDEN BUZZER & ALL ACCESS PASSES 

(Top Choreography)

ALL ACCESS PASSES are awarded by one or more judges based on what they feel is the best choreography and should compete in our Creative Masters Challenge at Nationals for the chance to become the Top Choreographer (Creative Master) of 2025. You will know you are receiving an All Access Pass when the judges activate the CREATIVE MASTERS GOLDEN BUZZER. Once you hear the CREATIVE MASTERS sound effect, stay on stage until you have been presented with your All Access Pass. 

These All Access Pass earns these routines a FREE ENTRY into the CREATIVE MASTER’s CHALLENGE (only), 2 FREE Tickets to the CREATIVE MASTERS After Party (21 & up), hors d’oeuvres (while supplies last) & 1 FREE drink PP (details apply).

Note: Each judge will receive a select number of All Access Passes, which will vary from event to event based on the number of entries received, but they are not required to present all received to them. Go to the Creative Masters Page for more information. ***Click Here***