Hall of Fame Dance Challenge : Awards & Rules

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Age Divisions & Categories:

There are six age divisions:

Little League - 6 years old and under
Future Hall of Famers - 7 and 8 year olds
Junior - 9-11 years old
Teen - 12-14 years old
Senior - 15-18 years old
19+

The age category for all routines is determined by using the average age of the performers as of January 1, 2023, the start of the 2023 season. This includes solos. Do NOT round up. Performers maintain their regional age category at Nationals. You must recalculate the average age of a routine for Nationals if any of the dancers in a routine change.

If any dancer 20 years of age or older competes in a routine, regardless of average age of the routine, the routine must be in the 19+ age division. Pro-Am is now a category for professional dancers only.

If the average age of a routine is less than .5 away from the next age category, then a studio may choose to compete the routine in the higher age category. Routines must compete in the same age category at Nationals as they did at Regionals, unless there is a roster change that affects the average age of the routine.

Bump Rule
Duet/Trios or Groups including dancers of different age divisions will compete no more than one age division younger than the oldest dancer, regardless of average age. For example: if a group includes a dancer age 16 (senior) and the average age is 11 (junior), the group will compete one level above junior – age 12 (teen).

Any child 2 years younger than the average age must perform a meaningful and significant amount of the choreography.
If a dancer 20 years of age or older is in a dance, the dance will be bumped to the 19+ age category.

19+ & Pro/Am Category
Pro/Am will all be scored on the American League scoring scale, except routines in the "parent" category, which are scored on the Recreational scale. There will not be a cash award in the Pro/Am category.

The new Little League age division (dances averaging ages 6 and under) is NOT divided into leagues. THERE IS ONLY ONE LEAGUE FOR 6 and UNDER ROUTINES. ALL LITTLE LEAGUE ROUTINES WILL COMPETE IN ONE LEAGUE.

General Categories:

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Solo, Duet/Trio, Small Group (4-9 dancers), Large Group (10-19 dancers), Line (20 or more dancers), and Productions (Must be 4-8 minutes long. May contain any style or combination of styles).

Productions will compete in their own category if there are at least 3 non-rookie productions entered in a regional competition. Productions can be entered in the National and American Leagues, and if there are at least 3 American League AND 3 National League Productions, the production category will be split by leagues. If there are less than 3 American League OR National League productions, all productions will compete against each other, regardless of league. Productions in the future hall of famer, junior, teen, and senior age categories will be separated by age category; however, if there is only one studio in a particular age category, the routine may compete with the lines if the studio chooses.

PLEASE NOTE: Rookie League and 19+ Productions will not compete in the production category. They will instead compete against the other lines in their respective categories. Note that productions that include any dancers 20 years of age or older are considered 19+ and will compete against the other 19+ lines.

Performance Leagues:

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NEW IN 2023 Group routines may contain no more than 1/3 (33.33%) of dancers in a higher league/level than the league/level the routine is placed in. That is, a Rookie league group can contain no more than 1/3 (33.33%) dancers in the National League and a National League group can contain no more than 1/3 (33.33%) dancers in the American League. For example, if a large group of 10 total dancers contains 3 American League dancers and 7 National League dancers, it may compete as National League. However, if it were to contain 4 American League dancers and 6 National League dancers, it must complete as American League. As always, rookie dancers may not compete in American League routines with the exception of productions. In addition, duet/trios with mixed level dancers must continue to compete in the league/level of its highest dancer.

Due to the incredible success of our performance levels at Nationals, we've added levels at all of our Regional events. This will level the playing field all year long. It will also help to make sure that dancers are in the appropriate League at Nationals. Here are the Leagues:

Rookie League: (recreational)
The rookie league is for recreational dancers with little or no competition experience, dancing less than 3 hours per week. Any dancer competing in the rookie league may not compete in the American League with the exception of production routines. Dancers competing in the rookie league may compete in the National league; however, the rookie league should be reserved for truly recreational dancers. Groups may not be placed in the rookie league if more than 1/3 (33.33%) of the dancers are in the National League. The judges may move up routines from the rookie league to the National league at their discretion if they believe that the routine does not belong in the recreational division. There will be no cash prizes in this division. There will be a presentation of top scores as well as a gift certificate presented to the top scoring routine.

If a duet/trio contains a National league and a rookie dancer, it must dance as National league. If a future hall of famer duet/trio contains a competitive and rookie dancer, it must dance as competitive.

Productions can contain dancers in any league.

National League: (Intermediate level dancers)
Dancers with limited competition experience and who perform at a level that would be expected from dancers that study between 3-5 hours per week.

American League: (Advanced Level dancers)
Dancers with significant competition experience and who perform at a level that would be expected from dancers that study more than 5 hours per week.

Because NO competition can possibly know how many hours a child dances or for how many years they have danced, teachers are left to their own sound judgment when entering routines. Routines that are obviously under-placed may be elevated by the judges or Hall of Fame management. All decisions are final. Routines that are moved to American League by Hall Of Fame/Judges are exempt from the rule regarding the percentage of American/National League dancers in a routine. Routines with the same or similar performers that have competed in any prior award segments will not be affected by the move. Future routines with the same or similar performers will be handled on a case by case basis.

If a Duet/Trio contains both National and American League dancers, it must be in the American League.

In a mixed American and National League group routine, no more than 1/3 (33.33%) of the dancers can be from the league higher than the league they are competing in. Violation of this rule will result in disqualification of the subject routine from the top ten. A studio may move a routine to the American League prior to the performance of the routine to correct a placement error.

When placing your routines please keep in mind the difficulty of the choreography overall. Just because your routine qualifies for the National League with only 1/3 American League dancers does not mean it’s a National League dance. National League routines should contain intermediate choreography. The judges have the right to move routines they consider advanced.

Little League (dances averaging ages 6 and under) routines are NOT divided into leagues. THERE IS ONLY ONE LEAGUE FOR 6 and UNDER ROUTINES. ALL LITTLE LEAGUE ROUTINES WILL COMPETE IN ONE LEAGUE.

A dancer cannot have solos in different leagues. If a dancer has more than one solo, they must both be in the same league.

Future Hall of Famers (7 & 8 year olds) will now be divided into National and American leagues as long as there are at least 3 National League and 3 American League routines in the category. For groups, if there are at least 3 National League and 3 American League routines in any group category (small groups, large groups, or lines), the groups will be separated in the National and American leagues for ALL future hall of famer group categories regardless of the number of entries in that specific category. Truly recreational dancers may still select the rookie option.

Rookie League dancers may only compete one solo.

If you do not select a League, you will automatically be placed in the American League.

Once the tentative schedule is posted, routines may no longer change levels (leagues) unless it is a technical error. Be careful with your league placements as you register, taking care to place your routines in the right league. If you have any questions about league placements, please contact us.

Any routine scoring less than 280.5 points at a regional event may move down to National League for Nationals only if the routine is moved on the original nationals registration form. Please be extra careful with your league placement if you are attending a national event.

Here are some additional situations to consider:

Just because your studio has more than one performance team, does not mean that one of the teams has to be placed in the National League. It is possible that both teams should be entered in the American League. Our levels should not be used as a tool to simply keep your groups from competing against one another. Each group placement should be based only upon the qualifications of that team.
If a group is a combination of American and National league dancers, simply because you mee the 1/3 requirement, does not mean that a dance should be entered in the National League. For example, if a studio puts together its top 3 American league dancers with 6 National League dancers, just because there are no more than 1/3 American League dancers, does not necessarily mean it’s an intermediate (National League) routine. Use your judgement in the spirit of fairness to all.
The spirit and intent of our Performance Levels is to provide dancers with the opportunity to compete against other dancers with similar experience and training. It is NOT designed so that Elite dancers can win more categories.
If you have any questions regarding placement or any other rule, please feel free to email or call us, we are always happy to help.

Time Guidelines:

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Solos: 3 minutes
Duet/Trio: 3 minutes
Small Group: 3 minutes
Large Group: 4 minutes
Line: 4 minutes
Productions: 8 minutes

If your routine goes over the time guidelines by 30 seconds or more, you must note this upon registration where you will pay a fee for the extended time.

Performance Categories:

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Jazz - Contains traditional jazz movements and technique.
Tap - Scored on tap technique.
Lyrical- Dancers interpret the lyrics, mood and content of the music.
Contemporary - Routine incorporating lyrical or jazz movement fused with modern elements.
Hip Hop - Street or contemporary jazz-funk.
Musical Theatre - A routine interpreting a song from a Broadway or Movie Musical.
Character - A routine portraying an easily recognizable character.
Ballet - Includes classical or contemporary ballet movements and technique. Ballet slippers only.
Production- Must be 4-8 minutes long. May contain any style or combination of styles.
Pointe - Must include classical or contemporary pointe technique and steps. Pointe shoes only.
Acro-Dance - Combines gymnastic and dance choreography. Must contain at least 50% dance choreography.
Modern - Consists of modern technique, movement and choreography.
Pom Pon - Performed with pom pons for at least 75 percent of the routine.
Dance Team/ Kickline - Must consist of traditional dance team and kickline choreography.
Clogging - Performed in clogging shoes using clogging technique.
Open - Any style of dance or combination of styles.
Parent – recreational parent category. All Parent routines will compete as recreational.
Pro/Am - Any routine that contains a professional dancer.

Music:

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Music must be uploaded in your online registration account by 7 days prior to the show. Music can be easily uploaded from the moment you register your routines. Music submitted after 5PM EST on the day the music is due may not be accepted. Studios should always have backup music on a USB/flash drive. Please do NOT use CDs for music. Our DJ will not adjust the speed of the music or make cuts in the music. Hall of Fame is not responsible for music left at the show.

Judging:

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Will take into consideration choreography, technique, showmanship, and precision. Each judge will award up to 100 points. The total score of the three judges will determine the ranking of the routine. In the case of a tie, the judges will select the high score winner. Online video critiques and a score summary listing the scores of each routine will be provided. Critiques will be available online following the show through the registration page. Hall of Fame is not responsible for technical difficulties that may result in loss of video critique. In the rare instance where a judge misses a section due to flight delays or illness, the third score will consist of the average score from the other two judges.

Competition Schedules:

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Your “to the minute” schedule for Regional Competitions will be posted on our website. Please be ready to perform at least 1 hour prior to your performance time. You must be prepared to perform when scheduled. Legitimate costume change issues of less than three routines will be accommodated. In the interest of running on time, Hall of Fame reserves the right to modify the schedule. With limited exceptions (for example, nose bleeds, vomiting, legitimate costume change issues of less than 3 routines), we will go in program order throughout the competition. Be prepared to dance in order, up to 1 hour ahead of the posted schedule. The wrongful holding of numbers may result in disqualification or point reduction.

Entry Rules:

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Entries are submitted using our online registration system:

Create a free account by selecting a username and password.
Enter your contact information and student list only once.
Fill in the simple online entry form to submit your entries.
Log in to your account at any time to review your entries, add entries, or to make changes.

*All registration must be submitted in your online account by 30 days prior to the show. Payment of entry fees is due 30 days prior the show.
*Email us at info@halloffamedance.com to RSVP for an event prior to registering.

Once the program is final (you will be emailed a deadline to make changes once the tentative schedule is posted online), there will be NO category changes allowed. Please be sure to review your entries when the tentative schedule is posted.

Entry Fees:

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All Entry fees can be found in your online account. Please note that payment by credit card will incur a 4% convenience fee. Please send payment by check or wire transfer to avoid this fee.

Admission Fees: Admission fee for the public is $10 per person. If you paid for entries, the admission fee is included in your entry fee. Friends and family of paying dancers are not charged an admission fee.

Hall of Fame reserves the right to reschedule shows due to unforeseen circumstances. A rescheduled event will take place within as close as possible to the originally scheduled event. In the rare event where a show is cancelled and is unable to be rescheduled within a reasonable time of the original date, Hall of Fame will issue a non-expiring credit. In all other instances, any fee changes to entries that occur after registration and payment, including the studio deleting routines/dancers or withdrawing from the competition, will also be issued a credit to a future Hall of Fame or League of Champions event.

Hall of Fame reserves the right to structure its competitions in a nontraditional scheduling format (such as block scheduling) if the circumstances warrant it. Hall of Fame must follow state, local, and venue guidelines regarding mask policies and capacity limitations and will inform studio directors of related requirements or scheduling format changes prior to the show. Changes in scheduling format or mask policies are not grounds for a refund.

Additional Rules:

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A soloist may compete in up to three solos in a regional competition. The routines must be in different performance categories. Only the highest scoring solo will appear in the top scores.

At Nationals, a soloist may compete up to two solos as long as he or she would have been qualified to perform those solos at a regional event or his or her studio has entered groups in the competition. If time & scheduling permits, we will open the National competition to additional solos, and soloists may compete up to 3 solos, as in regionals.

All routines must be entered under a studio name. Hall of Fame does not accept entries independently of a studio.

A studio may not compete against itself in the same category with identical performers.

This is a family event, sexually explicit dance or music will not be tolerated. No exceptions.

Props should be setup and removed from stage within two minutes. Please do not build props backstage this presents a danger to our performers. Dangerous props are not allowed. Props which exceed 10'6" in height cannot be guaranteed to fit on stage. Hall of Fame will not supply power.

Routines that have clear technical problems with their music will be allowed to dance again with the approval of the show director. In other instances, except for technical difficulties on the part of Hall of Fame, re-performance of any routine will be adjudicated only.

If a junior, teen, or senior dancer leaves the stage without completing a performance, regardless of whether or not the dancer re-performs, the routine will be awarded a Participation Award and will not be eligible for high scores. 8 and under dancers may re-perform the routine for adjudication only and not be eligible for high scores. If the 8 and under dancer does not re-perform the routine, the routine will be awarded a Participation Award.

With the exception of the number of dancers in a routine, any challenges or concerns regarding an entry may be made to the competition director by a studio director/teacher only, before the awards ceremony for that routine. Any discrepancy in the number of dancers performing and the category entered at the time of their performance will result in the routine being adjudicated only. Adjudicated only routines are not eligible for high scores or the cruise. All judging decisions are final.

By performing at Hall of Fame Dance Challenge, you are consenting to the use of photographs and/or video footage for promotional purposes, which includes streaming your routines live on ustream.

There will be no filming or photography of any routines that violate copyright laws including, but not limited to, depictions of Moulin Rouge.

When the venue and circumstances allow it, Hall of Fame permits dimming of the lights.

No substances of any kind are allowed on stage. This includes, but is not limited to: baby powder, flour, sand, glitter, powdered rosin, lotion, water, and paint. This rule applies even if you have a clean-up team. No helium or haze of any kind is allowed on stage.

***Rules will be interpreted in the spirit of fairness to all participants.

Contestants are understood to recognize the risks of physical injury inherent in dance and dance performances and be willing to assume those risks. It is agreed that participants will not hold Hall of Fame Dance Challenge, Inc. or its directors or employees liable for injuries sustained or illnesses contracted by them while in attendance and/or performing in any activity at a Hall of Fame Dance Challenge competition.

Hall of Fame and/or its vendors will sell photos and videos in the lobby of our event and online. You hereby consent to the sale of these videos to parents. If you do not wish for group dances to be sold to parents, please email info@halloffamedance.com to let us know.

Adjudication Of Awards:

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All solos, duet/trios, and groups will be judged on a point system. Based upon the total score of three judges, each act will receive a high-silver, gold, high-gold, or platinum ranking. In the American League only, each act receiving a total score of 293.5 and higher will receive a GRAND SLAM ranking.

Awards for each solo and duet/trio will receive a beautiful award and each participant will receive a custom enamel pin. All GROUP dancers will receive a custom enamel lapel pin for each of their dances. (awards for teen and senior solos and duet/trios will be upon request).

SCORING SCALE:

	American League	Rookie League, National League, and Little League
Walk-Off	297-300	n/a
Grand Slam	293.5-296.9	n/a
Platinum	285-293	280-300
High Gold	278-284.9	273-279.9
Gold	264-277.9	264-272.9

Top Scores:

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Hall of Fame will recognize the highest scores in each age division and category in all levels.

Best In Category:

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In both the National and American League, Hall of Fame will recognize the top soloist in each age division in all categories with a minimum of 3 entries. In both the National and American League, Hall of Fame will recognize the top overall group in each division in all categories with a minimum of 3 entries.

Hall of Fame High Score Cash Awards:

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High Score Cash Awards will be paid in all age divisions in the National and American leagues. $50 plus a $50 gift certificate for any upcoming Hall of Fame Dance Challenge event will be given to all Future Hall of Famer, Junior, Teen, and Senior soloists. $100 plus a $100 studio gift certificate for any upcoming Hall of Fame Dance Challenge event will be given to all Future Hall of Famer, Junior, Teen and Senior groups and lines. Please note that there must be a minimum of five routines in all categories to receive a cash prize. If there are less than 5 routines, a gift certificate will be issued. There are no cash awards in the Rookie (Recreational) League.

*All cash awards will be paid to the winning studio.

All Star Team:

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Studios attending Nationals may nominate two performers in each Junior, Teen, and Senior age division to participate in the All-Star team at Nationals. Studios attending Nationals will be sent a form to provide their nominations. All-Star team members will perform in the All-Star performance at Nationals, which will be choreographed by top industry professionals.

Hall of Fame Group Inductee Awards:

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Induction into our online Hall of Fame will be awarded to the highest overall group scores in the American League Future Hall of Famer, Junior, Teen and Senior divisions. Each winning studio will be presented with a special award and induction into our on-line Hall of Fame, including a video of the performance uploaded to our website. The highest scoring duet/trio in the American League junior, teen and senior age division will be inducted into our online Hall of Fame.

Hall of Fame Solo Inductee Award:

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A $100.00 gift certificate will be awarded to the American League solo performers in the Junior, Teen and Senior divisions with the highest total score of two solo routines. This outstanding performer will also receive a special award and induction into our on-line Hall of Fame. Induction will include a video of the performance uploaded to our website. Note: Should any individual perform more than two solos, the highest two scores will be counted. The solos must be in different subjects (i.e. tap and lyrical). There is no additional fee to be considered for this award. Inductees are automatically considered All-Stars. Soloists must score at least a High Gold for induction.

Achievement and Choreography Awards:

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Our judges will select certain outstanding performances for achievement awards. Achievement awards include, but are not limited to: Showmanship, Fabulous Feet, Broadway Diva, Intensity and Costume.

MVP Awards:

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Our judges will select certain outstanding routines as MVPs (most valuable performance) and these videos will be posted on the website. The MVPs will be awarded for entertainment value and technique and do not require a certain score from the judges.

Nationals World Series of Dance:

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NEW IN 2022 The World Series will be split into 2 events: The National League World Series & The American League World Series, which will occur on two separate nights (the last two nights of Nationals). If the entry count in either league doesn’t support two separate World Series, the World Series will be combined as in past seasons.

The top five small groups and the top five large groups/lines in the Future Hall of Famer, Junior, Teen and Senior age divisions, in both the American and National leagues, will re-compete in the World Series of Dance on the second-to-last or last day of Nationals (depending on whether it is the American or National League World Series or combined).

Dances in the Little League (6 and under) category will not be separated into small groups, large groups, and lines for the World Series unless there are at least 8 routines in each category (small groups AND large groups/lines. If the Little League routines are combined (small groups combined with large groups and lines) for the World Series, the 5 highest scoring Little League Routines will recompete in the World Series of Dance. If the Little League small groups are separated from the large groups/lines, then the 3 highest scoring Little League Routines will compete in each category (small group, large group/line) will re-compete in the World Series of Dance.

Excluding Productions that are in the Production Challenge, if there are 5 or more lines from 3 or more studios in an age category and division, then the top 3 lines will re-compete in the World Series of Dance on the last day of Nationals. Otherwise, the lines will be combined with the large groups for the World Series of Dance. If, when the large groups and lines are combined for the World Series, the rare event occurs that a large group and line from the same studio receive an identical score and therefore tie for inclusion in the World Series, the studio director may choose whether the large group or the line is in the World Series.

Additional routines in each World Series category are possible if there are ties. Additional cash prizes and victory cups will be awarded to the top three placements in each league if there are five or more routines in that section. Cash prizes and victory cups will be awarded to the top two placements if there are four routines in that section and to the top place only if there are three or less routines in that section.

A studio can have more than one group in a particular age division, group category (small groups or large groups/lines), and league, if the additional group is comprised of completely different dancers. Otherwise, only the highest scoring group from a studio may participate in each World Series category.

Each age category and league will only be divided into small groups and large group/lines for the World Series if there are ten small groups and ten large groups/lines in that specific age category and league. If there are less than ten small groups OR ten large group/lines, the small groups, large groups, and lines will be combined for the World Series as in past years. Only one group from each studio will be eligible for that section of the World Series, unless the additional group is comprised of completely different dancers.

For example, if there are ten Senior National League small groups, three Senior National League large groups, and 1 Senior National League Line, the Senior National League World Series category would consist of the top five highest scoring Senior National League groups from the small groups, large groups, AND lines, as in past years. Each studio would only have one group in the Senior National League World Series, unless the additional group is made-up of entirely different dancers.

If, due to the make-up of the entries, all routines in an age division have to compete in 1 league, the top 7 highest scoring dances will compete in the World Series of Dance. Qualifying is based on scores, not rankings. If there is a tie for the final spot, all dances with that score will be included. Within these top 7 routines, a studio can have more than one group qualify if the groups consist of completely different dancers or the groups are in 2 separate categories that would normally be divided in the World Series (small groups & large groups/lines). That is, a studio could have a small group and a large group in that World Series section with the same dancers in both routines, but could not have 2 small groups with any dancers in common or 2 large groups with any dancers in common or a large group and line with any dancers in common. In this instance, the top 5 routines will be announced in the World Series for that category instead of the top 3. These exceptions to the normal World Series procedure are only in effect in the rare event where we have to combine leagues in an age category.

Routines that qualify for the World Series of Dance may not substitute or replace dancers with dancers that did not dance in the qualifying routine during the first round of competition. If a routine cannot compete at the World Series with the exact same dancers as it competed with in the first round due to dancer injury or other dancer emergency, the dance may compete in the World Series with fewer dancers than it did in the first round as long as it doesn’t change the size category of the group (that is, change it from a large group to a small group, etc.)

If the Little League groups are separated into small groups and large groups/lines AND there are at least 10 groups in each category, the 5 highest scoring small groups and the 5 highest scoring large groups/lines will recompete in the World Series of Dance.