JUDGING, SCORING, AWARDS CRITERIA & DETAILS

JUDGING, SCORING, AWARDS CRITERIA & DETAILS

Up to $10,000 in cash, certificates, and scholarship prizes are awarded per event. Cash prize certificates are limited to shooting & all-star levels and applied to this season’s nationals or next season’s regionals. Cash prizes are exclusive to all-star levels and title scholarships. MVC scholarships are available for all levels and redeemable for regionals. 

All routines are adjudicated and ordinally scored.

There are no point deductions for any protective gear (i.e., masks) or lack of costumes. 

Our judges are knowledgeable professionals in a variety of performance genres. Judges resolve ties and may reassign routines to 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 not be eligible for Titles, Top 5/10, and OHS. See our Rules/Guidelines page for more information. (CLICK HERE)

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, **NEW** TRENDSETTERS, Criteria &  Awards 
  5. MVC’s Scholarships Criteria & Awards
  6. Entertainer of the Year Nominations & Awards Criteria
  7. Titles, Productions, Top 5/10 High-Scores Criteria & Awards 
  8. Overall High-Scores Criteria & Awards 
  9. Judges & Event Specials Criteria & Awards 
  10. **NEW** CREATIVE MASTERS GOLDEN BUZZER & ALL ACCESS PASSES

1. JUDGING CRITERIA

ALL GENRES:

  • Performers are judged from the moment they are announced until they leave the stage
  • Judges are looking for clean routines that contain difficulty, proper technique, timing, and flow, combined with enthusiasm, energy, and enjoyment appropriate for the age, level, and genre

MODELING: 

  • Contestants are judged on presence, personality, overall appearance, style, and charm
  • At least five competitors are required for Top 5/10 awards, whether in the overall genre or separated by age group
  • If fewer than five participants per age group compete, age groups will be combined 

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, in color or black & white, and suitable for auditions
  • Upload photos to your registration account at the time of entry; physical images are not accepted
  • NO High Scores will be 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 20 points

Choreography: up to 15 points

Overall Appearance: up to 5 points

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

2. PLACEMENT SCORING 

1st, 2nd, and 3rd Place: Awards are given in each category. Example 10-12yrs Lyrical Shooting Star Solos and announced from last to 1st place, with routines after 3rd place being. Placement awards are separate from Top 5/10.

REGIONALS AWARDS:

  • Group routines: Acrylic butterfly for the school and adjudicated pins/ribbons for each competitor
  • Solos & D/Ts: Each receive an individual award

NATIONALS AWARDS:

  • Group routines: 1-column trophy or butterfly award for the school and adjudicated pins/ribbons for competitors
  • Solos & D/Ts: Each receive an individual award

ADJUDICATED SCORING

LEVELSCORE
GOLD239.9 & BELOW
HIGH GOLD240 - 259.9
SOLID GOLD260 - 279.9
PLATINUM280 - 293.9
PLATINUM PLUS294 - 298.4
CRYSTAL BUTTERFLY298.5 - 300

If there’s only one routine in a category based on age, level, genre, and division size, it must meet a minimum score to win 1st place; otherwise, it will be adjudicated only. 

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

ADJUDICATED AWARDS

REGIONALS:

  • Group routines: The school receives a butterfly award and adjudicated pins/ribbons for each competitor
  • Solos & D/Ts: An acrylic plaque for each competitor

NATIONALS:

  • Group routines: The school receives an award and adjudicated pins/ribbons for each competitor
  • Solos & D/Ts: Each receive an individual award

3. AWARDS OR CHARITABLE DONATIONS

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

Donations can include solo, duet/trio, group awards, or any combination.

If choosing to donate, select the donation option on your registration at the time of entry.
Competitors are still recognized when announced, but no physical awards will be given for donated routines. Schools opting to donate will receive all special awards. Ensure all teachers, parents, and competitors are informed if you choose to donate your awards.

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 promote 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. 

For a fee, schools attending nationals can upgrade routines to compete for this award. All routines must be age-appropriate and suitable for 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 CRITERIA & AWARDS

IMPROV

This category is designed for competitors who thrive on spontaneity and are always ready to hit the dance floor. Unlike other categories, there are no levels in this one. At the time of entry, register your interested competitors in their selected performance genre. 

The Emcee will choose the music. Competitors will hear 3 seconds of a song and then have 1 minute to perform. Critiques, scores, and awards will be presented.

AWARDS:

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

PHOTOGENIC & MODELING

NATIONALS INFORMATION:

  • All regional requirements apply
  • Modeling routines will be performed on the first day of the nationals and the much-anticipated awards for modeling and photogenic will be announced 
  • The Top 3 Winners in both categories will receive FREE TE Gear to keep and model during our Closing Award Ceremony, a special honor for their outstanding performance

REGIONAL AWARDS:

  • Adjudicated routines receive a photogenic or modeling pin
  • 1st, 2nd & 3rd are awarded a photogenic or modeling pin and medals

NATIONAL AWARDS:

  • Adjudicated routines receive a photogenic or modeling pin and medal 
  • 1st, 2nd & 3rd are awarded a photogenic or modeling pin and an award plate.

****NEW****

TRENDSETTERS

We are looking for up-and-coming Trendsetters.

  • Must register 1 Solo, 1 Modeling & 1 Photogenic routine for your attending event
  • Photos must be uploaded to your account before the event
  • The Top 3 scoring entries, Solo, Modeling, & Photogenic scores combined, will be entered into our “Trendsetter” Social Media Contest for each event
  • There must be at least three entries in both age levels (JR: 7-12yrs) & (SR: 13-18yrs) per event to qualify for our “Trendsetter” Social media contest, or they will be combined with competitors from another event
  • The most Likes, Comments & Shares from FB & IG for each “Trendsetter” Social Media Contest Wins
  • The winner from each “Trendsetter” Social Media Contest receives a winner post, TE Trendsetter Title & the chance to be a TE Model
  • After the final social media contest of the season, all winners will have the opportunity to meet via Zoom with TE Board Members for the chance to become our TE Models
  • TE Models will participate in a photo shoot to promote TE Clothing and Merchandise
  • In addition, they will receive a free headshot and dance photo
  • Additional opportunities to be announced

5.  MVC SCHOLARSHIP CRITERIA & AWARDS

(MVC – Most Valuable Competitor of the Weekend from each school)

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:

  • MVC Certificate
  • One FREE solo scholarship toward the following regional season to each of the following competitions: That’s Entertainment & Curtainline
  • A 25% Scholarship to each of the following conventions: Glow Dance Experience and Activate Your Artistry 
  • Details may apply for each company (contact them directly for more information) 

TE Details: You must attend with your school and meet minimum entry fees after all discounts, scholarships, coupons, and more. Claim all certificates before payment, or they will be null and void.

6. ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR (EOTY) NOMINATIONS & AWARDS CRITERIA

Prove you’re ready for the big time by participating and competing for the EOTY Title, cup, bragging rights, and more. Nominees and winners must attend with your school and minimum entry fees after all discounts, scholarships, coupons, and more.

REGIONALS CRITERIA & AWARDS: Judges will nominate and award one group routine or production from each school with an EOTY poster based on entertainment value only. This routine will compete for the Entertainer of the Year Cup at Nationals.

NATIONALS CRITERIA:

  • Register and pay for your regionally nominated routine
  • The routine size may change from regionals to nationals as long as it remains a group 
  • Optional: For a fee, schools can upgrade routines to compete 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 based solely on their entertainment value to compete again at our final award ceremony

NATIONAL 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

  • One FREE routine to compete at the following season’s nationals for a chance to keep their title (can be their winning or newly nominated routine)
  • Choreographers of the winning routines will have the opportunity to choreograph, teach, and appear in our next music video or short film dance scene

7. TOP 3 TITLES, TOP 5/10 HIGH-SCORES, PRODUCTIONS CRITERIA & AWARDS

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

TITLE & HS CRITERIA:

Top 3 Titles Miss or Mister (1-3 entries), Top 5 HS (5-9 entries), and Top 10 HS (10 or more entries) will be awarded separately in each age, level, genre division, and routine size

(details below apply).

HS will not be awarded if there are fewer than five entries unless a suitable combination can be formed.

If your competitor has more than one solo, only the highest-scoring solo will be announced, provided any of their solos achieve a high score. We may award multiple solos, to the same competitor, if there is only a Top 5 or 10 because the competitor has more than one solo.

“AGE‘S” 

  • Mini (6 & Under)
  • JR (7-9yrs) and (10-12yrs)
  • SR (13-15yrs) and (16-18yrs) 
  • Adults (19-21yrs) and (22yrs & Up)

If there are less than (3- Title) or (5- HS) routines in the ages above, the following combinations will occur to ensure competition.

  • JR (7-12yrs)
  • SR (13-18yrs) 
  • Adults (19 & Up)

“GENRE DIVISIONS”

  • Dance and Acro 
  • Musical Theatre and Acting
  • Vocal, Song/Dance, and Instrumental 

If there are less than (3- Title) or (5- HS) routines in the genres above then they are combined.

“Musical Theatre, Acting, Vocal, Song/Dance, and Instrumental”

With no acting, vocal, song/dance, or instrumental routines, Musical Theatre will be combined with Dance & Acro.

“ROUTINE SIZES”

  • Solo 
  • D/T 
  • Groups

If there are more than (5- HS) routines in each group size we will separate the following:

  • Small Groups 
  • Large & Mega Groups Combined

“LEVELS”

Super Star, Parent, and Student/Teacher routines do not qualify for Titles or HS. Levels are separate for all Title awards. HS follows the criteria above.

  • Rising Star
  • Shooting Star
  • All-Star 
  • Adults
  • Shining Star: Student Choreography (All routines in this level combined for HS)

PRODUCTIONS CRITERIA

There must be three or more production routines to award a Skyscraper trophy. Productions are announced and awarded after TOP 5/10 HS has been presented.

Occasionally, Mega and Large groups may be combined if there are less than 3 production routines so that we may award a Skyscraper Trophy.

TOP 3 TITLES, TOP 5/10 HS, & PRODUCTION 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

TOP 3 REGIONAL TITLE AWARDS: Highest- Score Wins

  • 2 & 3rd Place receives a title pin & placement ribbon
  • 1st Place receives a tiara or crown, sash, and title pin

TOP 3 NATIONAL TITLE AWARDS & SCHOLARSHIPS: Highest- Score Wins. On-stage Q&A of up to 5 points per judge and routine scores are combined)

  • 2 & 3rd Place receives a tiara or crown, title pin & placement ribbon
  • 1st Place receives a tiara or crown, sash, title pin & gifts (TBA)
  • Title Scholarships are awarded at each national competition to the highest-scoring SR (13-18yr) competitors within all genres and levels competing for the Title. There must be 5 or more competitors in the SR divisions for a scholarship 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.

TOP 5/10 REGIONAL HS AWARDS: 

  •  2-10 Place Winners receive a certificate awarded to the school
  • 1st Place Winners receive a 24″ Trophy awarded to the school, and fan(s) given to each competitor

TOP 5/10 NATIONAL HS AWARDS:

  • 2-10 Place Winners receive a certificate awarded to the school
  • 1st Place Winners receive a 24″ Trophy awarded to the school, and fan(s) given to each competitor

PRODUCTION REGIONAL & NATIONAL AWARDS:

  • After 1st place winners receive a trophy or banner awarded to the school and adjudicated pins or ribbons for each competitor
  • 1st Place Winners receive a Skyscraper (6’+) Trophy awarded to the school and adjudicated pins or ribbons for each competitor

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.” 

Shooting & All Star Cash Prize Certificates: $150 for any routine size

All Star 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 each session by the judges to routines or competitors that resonated with them. 1 Certificate is awarded to the school & bracelets to each competitor.

EVENT SPECIALS

Sportsmanship & ADCC are awarded at every event. Judges may award additional Event Specials of their choice. They can be granted for a routine or school – one award is given to the school.

Sportsmanship Schools are observed throughout the event by the staff and judges to see who portrays the best sportsmanship. We encourage you to go home with one or more friends than you came with. The winning school will receive an award and $150 towards nationals.

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.

Showmanship is presented for outstanding stage presence.

Judge’s Choice is presented for stand-out performance(s).

Triple Threat is presented for exceptional singing, dancing & acting skills. 

Creativity is presented for outside-the-box thinking. 

Bound for Big Things is presented to competitors destined for greatness.

Passion is presented for passion and love of performing.

Genelle’s Picture Perfect Award honors a long-time staff member, specifically a photographer who passed away in 2021. This is awarded for the most picture-perfect moments. 

*NEW* All ACCESS PASSES a certificate awarded to the school for routines with outstanding choreography. This pass gives the routine FREE entry into our Creative Master Challenge. (Details Apply)

10. ***NEW*** CREATIVE MASTERS GOLDEN BUZZER & ALL ACCESS PASSES

That’s Entertainment is looking for the top choreographed routines of the season by presenting the CREATIVE MASTERS CHALLENGE, in which the choreographer of the winning routine will claim the Creative Master (Top Choreographer) title, awards, and more. Performers and associated schools that have won will receive Execution in Excellence awards. We will host a cocktail hour for the directors, choreographers, and teachers, allowing an opportunity to connect and network. All ages, levels, and routine sizes are accepted. TE Regional and National attendance is not required. However, attending these events offers certain advantages. For instance, you can earn Golden Buzzers, All-Access Passes and discounted fees.

For more information, visit https://thatsentertainmentpa.com/creative-masters/