Performance Categories

  • Props permitted in all routines.
  • 5 acrobatic moves/passes in all performance genres permitted.  More than 5 and point deductions will be accessed (.5 points per judge per trick).
  • Unlimited acrobatic moves permitted in the following performance genres: Acro, Musical Theatre/Acting, Hip Hop, Improv, Open & Productions.
  • Unsure which genre to enter call the office at 877-572-9415.
  • Competitors can either compete against themselves in the same genre or enter in the Open Category.
  • Genre mixes (Ex. Hip-Hop, but has a lot of Jazz technique) should be in the open category.
  • Musical Theatre, Acting, Vocal & Instrumental Routines: TE will provide XLR cables, up to 8 handheld and/or wireless microphones. Requests for equipment or any other special needs must be made on your registration account at the time of entry in the Prop Description Box.
  • Judges are knowledge professionals and may move routines to the appropriate genre and/or level. (All Judges decisions are final)
  • Tap & Clogging: No sounds may be in the music (point deductions will be made)
  • Vocal Genres: Country/Pop/Rock, R&B/Jazz, Show-tunes
  • NO lead vocals are permitted on the music (point deductions will be made). 
  • INSTRUMENTAL:  Background music is permitted if it does not contain the instrument(s) that the competitors are using.  
  • MUSICAL THEATRE:  A theatrical performance or spoken dialogue portraying a character. Routine can include dancing, acting, singing, lip sync & instruments.
  • POINTE: Rising Stars are not permitted in this genre.
  • PRODUCTIONS: 15 OR MORE PERFORMERS – Portraying a theme, Story, Broadway Musical, Play, Movie etc. May include more than one genre, for (ex: Tap & Jazz, dance, lip sync, singing, acting & instrumental.)  *Productions are one level, age & genre. Must contain a minimum of 25% dancing and transitions.

ACRO – Style of dance that combines classical dance technique with precision acrobatic elements. It’s defined by its athletic character and unique choreography, which seamlessly blends dance and acrobatics.  Must have at least 50% acrobatic moves and 50% dance moves.

ACTING: Monologues from a play, tv or movie scene.

BALLET: Characterized by light, graceful, fluid movements, using gestures, precise and highly formalized set steps.  Performed in soft Ballet slippers.

BALLROOM and/or LATIN: Foxtrot, Cha Cha, Waltz, Tango, Swing, Jive, Samba, Mambo, Salsa, Bachata, Merengue etc.

CLOGGING: A type of folk dance in which the dancer’s footwear is used percussively by striking the heel, the toe, or both against the floor or each other to create audible rhythms, usually to the downbeat with the heel keeping the rhythm.  No tap sounds may be in the music (point deductions will be made)

ETHNIC: Routines using movement specific to a culture or nationality.  (Ex: African, Belly Dancing, Bollywood, Folkloric, Irish Step, Hawaiian, etc.)

HIP-HOP: Refers to street dance styles primarily performed to hip-hop music or that have evolved as part of hip-hop culture.  It includes a range of styles primarily breaking, locking and popping.

IMPROV:  For competitors who just can’t stop dancing.  At the time of entry; sign up your interested competitors; select a genre, age & routine size, no level in this category.  Music is DJ’s Choice and will play 3 seconds of a song for your competitor to hear.  Then it will be their time to shine.  Critiques, scores and awards presented.

INSTRUMENTAL: A musical presentation primarily produced live in any genre by the competitors using musical instruments without dancers or vocalist.  Timing, notes & keys are judged. Background music is permitted if it does not contain the instrument(s) that the competitors are using.  Instrumentalists who wish to have dancers and/or vocalists as part of their routine may register in Musical Theatre, Open or Production genres.  

JAZZ: A routine consisting of jazz technique, utilizing isolation, flexibility, jumps, etc.

LYRICAL: Routines expressing a storyline utilizing balance extensions & expressions.

FORMAL MODELING: Judged on presence & personality, overall appearance, and a sense of style & charm.  Formal attire required.

CASUAL MODELING: Attire can include “off the rack” or custom-made clothing and should complement the style & personality of the competitor. 

MODERN/CONTEMPORARY: A routine using balance, control, contractions, fall/recovery, abstract or contemporary movements. Must utilize ground work and level changes.

MUSICAL THEATRE: A theatrical performance or spoken dialogue portraying a character. Routine can include dancing, acting, singing, lip sync & instruments.

OPEN: To accommodate routines that do not fit in any other genre. Can include routines with 2 or more genres, Pom/Cheer, Baton, and more. Competitors who have more than one routine in a genre may enter in open.

PHOTOGENIC (Mini 6 & under, JR 7-12yrs, SR 13-18yrs, Adults 19 & up): Headshots that may be used when going to auditions or casting opportunities. Judges Choice!

POINTE: 75% of the routine must be performed on Pointe using classical or contemporary technique.  Rising Stars are not permitted in this genre.

PRODUCTIONS: 15 OR MORE PERFORMERS – Portraying a theme, Story, Broadway Musical, Play, Movie etc. May include more than one genre, for (ex: Tap & Jazz, dance, lip sync, singing, acting & instrumental.)  *Productions are one level, age & genre. Must contain a minimum of 25% dancing and transitions.

SONG & DANCE: Competitors playing an instrument and dancing or Singing & Dancing not portraying a Musical, are accepted in this category/genre.

TAP: A routine that uses the sounds of tap shoes striking the floor as a form of percussion, emphasizing clarity.  Must use taps on shoes.  No tap sounds may be in the music (point deductions will be made)

VOCAL: Timing, musical range & pitch are judged.  Routine may be performed a cappella. NO lead vocals are permitted on the music (point deductions will be made).  Background vocals are permitted.  For routines with singing, dancing and portraying a character enter in Musical Theatre. A vocal routine is not considered a solo if there are back up dancers. Singing and dancing not portraying a character should be considered an Open genre.

Vocal Genres:

Country/Pop/Rock
R&B/Jazz
Show-tunes

PHOTOGENIC

  • Photo judging criteria: Visual appeal, expressiveness, posture, hair, age appropriateness (make-up & clothing), composition, setting, lighting and quality of the photo (exp. Headshots that may be used when going to auditions or casting opportunities). Max 100 points per judge.
  • Photos must be recent and are accepted in black & white or color.
  • You are not required to be a competitor in other genres to participate in the photogenic category, but you must be affiliated with a school attending the event. 
  • Photos must be uploaded to your registration account at the time or entry. No physical photos will be accepted.
  • When choosing to enter the photogenic & modeling category you are releasing the rights for That’s Entertainment to use these photos on any and all publications.
  • These awards will be presented to the contestants judged as the most photogenic based on the following criteria above
  • 1st, 2nd & 3rd in the Mini 6 & under, JR 7-12yrs, SR 13-18yrs, Adults 19 & up awarded a photogenic pin and placement ribbons. 
  • Adjudicated photos will receive photogenic pins.

MODELING

MODELING is accepted as a solo, d/t or group and showcased in the Formal or Casual Genres.

FORMAL MODELING: Judged on presence & personality, overall appearance, and a sense of style & charm. Formal attire required.

CASUAL MODELING: Attire can include “off the rack” or custom-made clothing and should complement the style & personality of the competitor. 

  • Judges will award Mini 6 & under, JR 7-12yrs, SR 13-18yrs and Adults 19 & up. You must qualify with a High Gold score or higher to be eligible for Nationals.
  • A minimum of 5 different contestants per Mini, JR, SR & Adults must be registered or a combination of ages will occur.
  • You are not required to be a competitor in other genres to participate in the modeling category, but you must be affiliated with a school attending the event. 
  • 1st, 2nd & 3rd S/D/T awarded a modeling pin and medals to each competitor. 
  • Adjudicated S/D/T will receive Modeling pins.
  • 1st, 2nd & 3rd groups awarded a larger metal plate to the studio and pins to each competitor. 
  • Adjudicated groups will receive a smaller metal plate to the studio & pins to each competitor.
  • Top 5 and/or 10: a minimum of 5 different Photogenic entries per Mini, JR, SR & Adults modeling routines must be registered or a combination of ages will occur. 
  • 1st Place Top 5 and/or 10 are awarded a Banner to the school. Ribbons or HS Paddles are given to each competitor.
  • Top 2 – 10 will receive a placement certificate awarded to the school

Top 3 National Photogenic & Modeling 

  •  All regional requirements apply. 
  • All Modeling routines will perform the first day of Nationals.
  •  Photogenic & Modeling winners at Nationals will be announced the first day. Winners will be selected to model  TE clothing during our Closing Award Ceremony. Winners will also get to keep the items they are chosen to model in.

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