RULES AND POLICIES
ALL REGISTRATION, PAYMENT AND SCHEDULING MATTERS ARE DEALT WITH BETWEEN THE STUDIO AND THE COMPETITION.
SSDC WILL NOT DISCUSS PAYMENT, REFUNDS OR OTHER SUCH MATTERS WITH PARENTS OF DANCERS.
Full pricing details are available to Studio Directors by contacting the Competition Director at ssdcomp@gmail.com
- All entries are due January 31, 2024
- All entries must be received in our office by the noted deadlines.
- Late entries may be accepted at the discretion of Shooting Stars Dance Competition at an additional charge of $10.00 per entry.
- Entries will be limited to 150 per day.
- All entries will be accepted on a first come first served basis, and will be limited to the amount of performance time available.
- Shooting Stars Dance Competition reserves the right to refuse individual or Studio entries at their discretion, in which event fees will be refunded.
- Proof of age may be required in case of a discrepancy. Failure to provide birth certificates upon request, before the conclusion of the event in which the dancers in question are registered, may result in the disqualification of that particular routine.
- Because the competition cannot possibly know how many hours a child dances or trains or for how many years they have danced or trained, teachers are left to their own sound judgment and honesty when entering routines. We pride ourselves on running a fair competition and we rely on Studio Directors to be fully honest.
- Studio directors are asked to carefully review all entries to ensure they are enrolled in the correct level. Please consult the Competition Director if you have any questions about levels or groupings.
- Every attempt will be made to honour scheduling requests.
- A preliminary schedule will be sent by email 4-6 weeks prior to the competition date.
- All requests for changes must be sent to us within ten days of this.
- A final schedule will be sent out 2-3 weeks prior to the competition.
- We reserve the right to make no changes to the final schedule, however we always try to accommodate studios' needs.
- Competition will be 2-3 days. Competitor must compete on scheduled day and time.
- The directors of Shooting Stars Dance Competition reserve the right to cancel, reduce or increase the days of any scheduled competition/event as well as move the event venue site, due to unforeseen circumstances.
- Shooting Stars Dance Competition reserves the right to cancel any competition due to lack of entries, in which case fees will be refunded. Refunds will not be made for any other reason except for injuries (with a doctor's note).
- Shooting Stars Dance Competition reserves the right to determine the amount of all cash awards, if any, based on registration, at its discretion.
- Categories will dance as scheduled in the program and all dances in the category must dance before the session is completed if they have encountered a problem. If a routine dances after their category has been adjudicated they will dance for a mark and comments only (no placement) but they will still be eligible for overall awards.
COVID-19
- Current provincial guidelines and Policies of our venues will be strictly enforced
In case of competition cancellation due to pandemic:
- Every attempt will be made to re-schedule within the time frame of Spring/Summer/Fall 2024.
- In the case that no events are able to take place in 2025, refunds will be provided as follows:
- 90% direct refund / 10% credit to be used in 2026 or 2027
- Refunds will not be provided for those "opting out".
- Refunds will always be provided directly to the studio only.
- Credits will be made available for studios who prefer that option
Judging and Awards
- There will be NO PENALTY for re-dances. We firmly believe there is more to be learned by trying again! Competitors will not be penalized for making a second attempt.
- Performers cannot compete against themselves in any category. They may perform in the next age group up. You can compete in the same category in group routines, but not more that 50% can be the same performers.
- The method of the judging is solely within the discretion of Shooting Stars Dance Competition. All decisions by the judges are final.
- A studio representative MUST be present at the Overall Award ceremony to receive placement medals, trophies and prizes. SSDC will not provide these awards after the date of the Final Overall Awards.
- Scoring sheets will be available on the DanceBUG system after the competition.
Upon entering the event it is agreed that teachers, competitors, parents and relatives will not hold Shooting Stars Dance Competition or anyone involved in the competition responsible or liable for any damages, loss or personal injury which they may sustain while participating in the competition, no matter how caused, to either spectators or contestants. Dancers compete at their own risk. Where workshops are offered, workshop facilitators do not assume risk for injuries. In addition, all advise, suggestions and feedback provided by adjudicators and workshop facilitators is subjective within professional standards and as such, does not guarantee future success or marks.
By entering Shooting Stars Dance Competition, parents, teachers, directors and contestants give their permission to use their pictures and performance in advertisement such as brochures, programs, website, etc.
It is understood by entering the competition, competitors, parents, teachers, and directors give their permission to Shooting Stars Dance Competition to use their pictures and performances for advertising or promotional material (e.g. brochures, competition programs, website, social media, television, video etc.) Studio or independent registration in any event will grant Shooting Stars Dance Competition the right to use any image fee and royalty free in perpetuity. If anyone does not want their picture to be used, please advise in writing.
Teachers and studio directors are responsible to ensure that all tricks and movements performed by their dancers are technically appropriate to all dancers’ levels. Shooting Stars Dance Competition and the host facility will not be held responsible for any injury that may be sustained during any dancers’ performances.
Shooting Stars Dance Competition makes every effort to align with reputable vendors (photographers, videographers, etc.) at various events. We are not responsible for any unfulfilled orders resulting in a financial loss for the customer that may be caused as a direct result from the business practice of any of its vendors.
Props and Music
- All music is to be uploaded to the DanceBUG website at least two weeks prior to the competition.
- Props may be used. They must be free standing. These props should be essential to the performance and must be carried on stage by the performer or studio representative.
- No props that could pose a danger are allowed, such as fire, swords, knives, any forms of liquid gel, aerosol or powder.
- Maximum set-up & take down time for props is 2 minutes total. Productions are the exceptions, but arrangements for elaborate set up times must be made prior to schedule being sent out. This rule will be enforced to ensure the competition remains on schedule.
- If the stage floor is littered during your performance, please be prepared to clean it up immediately after the routine is finished. The dance floor area must be in the same condition after your performance as it was before.
- Smoking is not permitted anywhere in the building and is not permitted within 10 feet of any entrance.
- Only teachers and studio-approved prop assistants can be backstage during the competition.
- Performers should only be backstage 3-4 dances prior to their number-as directed by the stage manager.
- Parents are permitted in the backstage area only with permission of the Stage Manager
- Rehearsal is only permitted in the designated areas
- There is no food or drink permitted in the theatre, except for in those areas designated by the theatre
- Shooting Stars Dance Competition will not be held liable or responsible for any misprints or errors of omission in the official program.
- Sportsmanlike behaviour is expected at all times. Failure to display decorum could result in immediate disqualification.
- Any questions or concerns regarding dance routines should be brought to the attention of the show director by a teacher or studio director/owner ONLY, not by parents or other spectators
- It is proper etiquette not to enter or exit while performers are dancing, please wait until in between routines.
As a member of the Dance Competition Association of Ontario, SSDC has adapted the following policies:
Mobile Device Policy
Out of respect for all of the dancers who attend our events, mobile devices (phones, tablets, etc.) may not be used in photographic or video mode in any change room, rest room, or other private area of the competition, nor in the theatre while the competition is underway. Additionally, no calls may be placed or taken in the theatre, or backstage. Please use common courtesy when using mobile devices in other areas of the competition.
Photography and Video Policy
Professional photography and recording of video on the premises is not allowed without the permission of the Competition Director. Personal photography is allowed in public areas of the competition only. You must have consent to photograph any other attendee, spectator or team member.
No photography or cameras of any kind are allowed to be used in any change room, rest room, or other private area of the competition.
Designated event staff are authorized to take images of attendees and spectators for social media and other promotional purposes, including on stage during performance and awards ceremonies, backstage, warm-up room, lobby, or anything within the event vicinity.
By your participation in our events, you irrevocably consent to and grant Shooting Stars Dance Competition the exclusive, worldwide, perpetual, royalty-free and otherwise unlimited right to use, copy, modify, distribute, publicly display and perform, publish, transmit, remove, retain, and re purpose the images for any purpose in any media or form of communication, without additional consent and without compensation, including but not limited to commercial and promotional use on its corporate or employee social media sites.
Age Appropriate Policy
Members of the Dance Competition Association of Ontario recognize that dance is an art form that encompasses a wide range of styles and tastes. While we respect the artistry and personal expression of dance, we believe that the artistic choices that teachers make on behalf of their students should reflect the age of the dancers involved. We strongly encourage and support age appropriate costuming, choreography, and music choice in all routines that are performed at dance competitions.
When editing music, simply bleeping out swear words may not be sufficient. Please be conscientious of our audience and censor your overall music to match the event.
We also remind all choreographers to ensure their artistic choices are appropriate for family viewing. We recognize this is extremely subjective and sensitive. Therefore Shooting Stars Dance Competition will individually address these performances as they surface at each particular event.
Teen routines with PG-13 content such as audible gun-shots or themes of suicide or stalking should request evening scheduling and inform SSDC to note trigger warnings in the program and announcements. Studio Directors are asked to always err on the side of caution by discussing content or music questions in advance with SSDC Director.
Disqualification or point reductions may occur if a routine may occur if it contravenes this policy
Professional Conduct Policy
As a member of DCAO, we aim to provide a safe environment for dancers to perform and for studios directors, choreographers and teachers to showcase their vision and talent. It is our expectation that all attendees will conduct themselves in a manner that is professional, responsible and above all else, respectful of their fellow attendees
Shooting Stars Dance Competition rules will be evaluated and enforced on an individual basis, based on what is deemed best for all parties involved. Any extraordinary circumstance or new situations arising that are not listed in the official rules will be dealt with on an individual basis and the decision of the Director of the competition is final and will not be disputed.