Awards & Rules

• Petite (8 and under)
• Junior (9-12)
• Teen (13-15)
• Senior (16-19)
• Adult (20 and over)

The same group of performers cannot compete more than once in exactly the same division,  category and age division. The group may compete in the exact division, category and age division with some variance to the members of the group.

Soloists may perform a maximum of three solo routines (in three different                         categories). Stage One reserves the right to limit solo entries due to time constraints. Once the solo  limit has been reached, no more solo entries will be accepted.

All ages will be broken down as follows: 4 & under, 5, 6, 7, 8,  9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20-29, 30-39, 40 & over.

ALL AGE DIVISIONS AT REGIONAL COMPETITIONS OR AT NATIONAL FINALS WILL BE DETERMINED BY THE AGES OF THE PERFORMERS AS OF JANUARY 1, 2024.

To determine the age division, average the performers' ages and drop the decimal point. Example: 12.0-12.9 will compete in the 12-year-old age division.

Bump Rule: Groups that include dancers of different age groups will compete no more than one age division below the oldest dancer, regardless of the average age. For example: if a routine includes a dancer age 16 (Senior age group), but the average age is 11 (Junior age group), the routine will compete in the Teen age group. The production category is the only exception to this rule. 

If you wish to bump your advanced 12-year-old  routine to 13 (Teen), or 15-year-old routine to 16 (Senior), please call  the office.

Adult Rule: If any duet/trio, small group, large group or line has any dancer age 20 or over, they must compete in the Adult age group. This applies to even one dancer in a routine who is 20 or over.                     

Stage One will have three performance levels for ALL age groups (Petite, Junior, Teen, Senior and Adult). Stage One requires that you choose a performance level for each individual dancer.

A competition has no way of knowing the experience level of each student. Our goal is for all dancers to compete with dancers of equal abilities. Stage experience, technical ability,  and the choreography of each routine must be considered. Of course with only three levels there will be some variance of ability. We have listed several points to consider in the proper placement. For example: If a soloist is receiving many hours of individual training then they should be in a higher level for their solo, as well as duo/trio or small group. If the same soloist is in a group dance that has more students on the recreational level, that dance may be considered for a  level more consistent with the majority of dancers in the group. HOWEVER, this does not apply if that soloist is highlighted as a soloist for much of the group dance and the less experienced dancers are receiving limited stage time. There are studios that only require a few hours a week from their students and there are those who require total dedication and do not allow their dancers to participate in other extracurricular activities. Some studios have required Master classes and conventions to allow for more training and some who do not require any at all. These variables should help you decide but throwing all of these considerations away for the  sake of                     just simply “winning” does not serve our dancers well. We know that each studio is diverse so we will offer guidelines and hope that everyone will do their best to place their dancers in the appropriate performance level. Winning is great but educating young dancers is most important.

Consider the following when determining which Performance level best fits your routine:

• How many years of dance experience do they have.
• Amount of competition experience.
• Technical ability
• Hours of technical dance training per week
• Past Scoring – for example: a dancer who consistently wins in the Shooting Star level is demonstrating that they have mastered that level and should move to the Elite Star. Likewise, a dancer who needs to strengthen their core or has not mastered the more difficult technical elements of the Elite level might try competing in Shooting Star until they are stronger.                         
• Place your dancer where they can be challenged but also gain confidence to become a better dancer.                         
• Choreography, if a dancer is executing quadruple turn and has the control to stop on a  dime, they are too advanced for Shooting Star.        

Rising Star (Recreational) Recreational/beginner dancers who receive limited weekly studio time and have had little, if any, stage time  other than at their annual recital. They have not had the time to master the technical skills that are required in the higher levels.

Shooting Star (Intermediate) This level is for those dancers who may not be considered beginner because of previous dance experience but are training less than 5 hours per week. This level is not a place for elite dancers to place higher in the High Point Awards and have an unfair advantage.   

Elite Star (Advanced) Dancers who average several hours of technical dance training per week and are competing in several competition routines  and have strong technical ability. This is also a place for a good dancer to become a great                         dancer and be challenged.     

 Teachers, please use fair judgement when placing dancers into performance levels. The different levels are designed to give dancers a level playing field of competition, not to allow your best dancers to win more awards. Routines that are obviously under-placed WILL be moved by the judges or Competition Director to a higher performance level. Other routines with the same contestants will be evaluated individually.    

An elite dancer cannot participate in a rising star routine.  Soloists may only compete in one level.

A routine with dancers of different levels will be entered in the performance level that applies to more than 50% of the dancers.                               

If you feel you need to adjust your dancers' performance levels from regionals to                         national finals, please contact the office at 405-573-7733.                               

• Acrobatic Dance uses tumbling or acrobatic skills and demonstrates                             flexibility.                         
• Baton uses a baton and showcases twirling techniques. No fire or                             swords.                         
• Ballet uses classical steps and movements.
• Cheerleading consists of vocal cheering with precise, sharp                             movements throughout.                         
• Clogging uses clogging/buck style. Clogging shoes only.
• Contemporary a routine consisting of some combination of lyrical,                             modern, and jazz techniques.                         
• Folkloric uses dance styles of a particular ethnic group.
• Modern uses modern style technique, moves and choreography.
• Hip Hop uses street-style moves, including those seen in current                             dance videos.                         
• Jazz uses strong jazz technique, may include some hip hop moves.                         
• Jazz Character portrays a recognizable character throughout and                             uses  strong jazz technique.                         
• Lyrical combination of jazz, modern and ballet techniques utilizing                             the lyrics or mood of the music.                         
• Musical Theatre interprets a song from a Broadway or movie musical.                         
• Open any style or combination of styles
• Pointe uses primarily classical pointe technique. Pointe shoes                             only.                         
• Pom pon uses poms and consists of sharp, distinct movements.
• Song and Dance incorporates a balance of singing and any style                             dancing. Uploaded music cannot contain lead vocals.          
• Tap uses tap technique and steps. Tap shoes only.
• Tap Character must portray a recognizable character and use tap                             technique and steps.                         
• Photogenic  Up to 2 photographs per contestant may be uploaded, or a current photograph (no larger than 8×10) can be presented to Registration before the solo awards of the dancer’s corresponding age. A $5.00 fee will be incurred for Photogenics entered at the door.                          

Gymnastics tricks are allowed in any category as long as the style of dance is                         predominantly the category entered.             

Music for each routine can be uploaded in DanceBUG. Your routine title and uploaded song title must match.

Please have all your music, for the entire competition, uploaded one week prior to the competition.

• Solo: 2:45 minutes
• Duet/Trio: 2:45 minutes
• Small Group: 3 minutes
• Large Group: 4 minutes
• Line: 5 minutes
• Production: 6 minutes

 Extended Times- Extended prices are $3 additionally per dancer for solos, and $3 additionally per person for duet/trios and all groups 

• Solo: 3:30 minutes
• Duet/Trio: 3:30 minutes
• Small Group: 4:00 minutes
• Large Group: 5:00 minutes
• Line: 6:00 minutes
• Production: 8:00 minutes

Failure to comply could result in a 15-point deduction     

If more time is required beyond the Extended Time Limits, please contact our office.   

Contestants will be judged by a panel of qualified, previously selected judges. All                         studio directors, contestants and parents agree that the method of judging shall lie solely at the discretion of Stage One Productions.         

Contestants will be adjudicated based on a national scoring system. Judges score on the following: Routine Execution 10-25 points; Technique 15-35 points; Stage Presence 5-25 points; Routine 5-10 points, Costume/Appearance 1-5 points (deductions only). Judges’ composite scores are totaled for final point values.

Any routine scoring below 278 points in the Elite Star Performance Level at a regional  event may move down to the Shooting Star Performance Level for Nationals. Please contact Stage One for assistance with this change before Nationals.     

The subject of appropriateness is one of the most controversial in the dance competition industry today. Stage One is a family-oriented business that is dedicated to providing a safe, positive environment for both dancers and audience members. Points will be deducted, at judges’ discretion, for routines with inappropriate or suggestive music/costumes/dance moves.

Three important notes about this policy:

1. Appropriateness begins at the studio. We encourage parents, choreographers and studio directors to take an active roll to ensure that all routines are family oriented.                         
2. Appropriateness is a subjective matter. Inevitably some will find the judges’ decisions too lenient, while others will find them too strict. We can only do our best to resolve these situations.                         
3. Appropriateness is separate from technique. We would never want to punish dancers by deducting points from the technique, stage presence or execution sections of their critiques.         

All judge’s critiques will be uploaded into DanceBUG within 24 hours of the end of the competition.

Each routine will be adjudicated and receive an awards reflecting their placement: Double Platinum, Platinum, High Gold, Gold with the highest scoring routine in  each category earning a Competitive First Place.

High Point Awards are given in five age groups: Petite (8 and under), Junior (9-12), Teen (13-15), Senior (16-19), and Adult (20 and over). For Petites, Juniors, Teens and Seniors, High Point Awards will also be given to each Performance Level. Petite, Junior, Teen and  Senior Rising, Shooting, and Elite Star routines will be eligible for cash prizes subject to cash award rules.    

The same solo performer may not place more than once in the High Point Awards.

A First Place High Point winner at any regional competition may not compete the same routine at any other regional competition in the same season.

There must be a minimum of FIVE acts in each age group and performance level (Petite, Junior, Teen and Senior Rising, Shooting, and Elite Star) to award cash prizes.

Achievement awards and plaques will be presented at EACH awards ceremony. These awards  include, but are not limited to: Entertainment, Technical Excellence, Showmanship, Fabulous Feet, Diva, Outstanding Costume, Intensity, Choreography and Precision.

Excellence in Dance Award given to the highest scoring group in the Petite, Junior, Teen and Senior age groups.

Competitive Spirit Award to be awarded to the studio who embodies the true spirit of competition. Friendly, helpful and polite to  staff and other dancers, these dancers’ infectious positive attitudes encourage an atmosphere of integrity and mutual respect. The Competitive Spirit Award includes a $200 gift certificate for Stage One 2024 National Finals or 2025 Regional entry fees.      

Studio Excel Award a $200 gift certificate  presented to the studio with the most participation at a regional competition–may be used at any Stage One 2024 National Final or 2025 Regional Competition.

All group performers (under the age of 20) are automatically eligible for the title                         competition. Titleists will be chosen on the basis of the performers (boy or girl)                         exhibiting the most professional entertainment skills in addition to technical execution. Judges will select titleists in the 12-and-under and 13-and-over ages.

NO cameras of any kind are allowed during a performance. This includes smart phones with video capabilities. Violation may results in disqualification of a routine from the High Point Awards.

No dangerous substances (including, but not limited to: water, gels, rosin, aerosols, glitter, confetti, etc.) that might damage the integrity of the dance floor may be used during a routine.

A time schedule will be available to all studios once it has been finalized. Every                         regional  schedule is based on the breakdown of entries by solos, duet/trios, groups, lines and productions for that particular city. Since we cannot know this breakdown until all entries are processed, we will, at that time, set a schedule designed to accommodate the majority of entrants. It is our goal to have all days end at a reasonable time, especially on Sundays, when students attend school the following day. We would rather go later on a Friday or a Saturday and let everyone leave earlier on Sunday. This would not necessarily be possible if we followed a pre-determined format.     

High Point Awards winners at any 2023 National Final MAY NOT compete with the same routine at any of the 2024 Regional Competitions.

Stage One reserves the right to expand the dates of any competition due to number of entries, move the competition to a new location due to unforeseen circumstances, or cancel any event that does not qualify with a minimum number of acceptable entries. If cancellation occurs, all entry fees will be refunded.

Absolutely no coaching from audience or backstage. Smoking is not allowed in performers’ area.

Any teacher, parent, performer or participant displaying improper conduct can result in disqualification with loss of entry fees.

Stage One National Dance Competition shall in no way assume any responsibility for accidents or theft.

All protests must be in writing and made by a studio director prior to the awards                         ceremony for that particular division. All protests must be signed.

Performers’ give permission to Stage One National Dance Competition to use performers’  photographs and/or videos in connection with advertising and television broadcasts.