For the 2025 SA Dance School Championships, routines can only be entered under the Performance Division.

Performance Division (previously Festival Division)

The Performance Division is the learning, growing and exciting part of SADSC, where routines are awarded based on their individual standards. This division provides a fair opportunity for each routine, whether Beginner or Advanced, to showcase their art on stage and be rewarded accordingly, without the pressure of competition. This division offers valuable feedback from adjudicators immediately after performances, which is particularly useful for dancers competing in the Championship division with the same routine. Additionally, it allows dancers or groups to perform their routines multiple times during the competition, gaining exposure and enhancing their experience and skills.

In the Performance Division dancers will compete in SESSIONS with a mixture of routines from different ages, styles, levels and categories. This means that routines will not compete "in section" for the Performance Division.

Only entries from pre-registered dance schools are accepted and no individual entries are allowed. Entries are only done by the school director of a dance school via the online system provided. There are no affiliation fees for dance schools.

There is a R70 registration fee for each dancer participating.

Entry fees are NON-REFUNDABLE or TRANSFERABLE.

Late entries can be accepted with an administration fee of an additional R100 added to above mentioned fees of each entry, subject to space.

Entry fees not paid by the specified cut-of date will automatically be removed from the system.

To participate in the SA Dance School Championships, dance schools must enter at least 10 students. This event is designed for dance schools and dancers from beginners to advanced, rather than just the top performers. First-year participants may request an exemption from this rule.

The following are the disciplines for the 2025 season:

Acro Dance: Routine shall consist primarily of acrobatic moves incorporated with the rhythm of the music but also include dance elements. The routine will be judged as a dance and not as a gymnastic number.

Ballet: Routine shall consist primarily of ballet technique and include classical steps and movements. No national routines are allowed in this discipline.

Point Shoes - Children under 13 not permitted to wear point shoes.

Contemporary / Modern: Routine consist of expressive dance that combines elements of several dance genres including modern, jazz, lyrical and classical ballet and strives to connect the mind and the body through fluid dance movements. Dancers should focus on floor work using gravity to pull them down.

Please Note: The Modern mentioned in the Contemporary/Modern style is not a high impulse movement on up-tempo music.

Disco Dance / Freestyle: Routine can consist of impulses, high kicks, basic acrobatic elements, jumps and arms swings on high impact techno and disco music. Only in performance division.

Hip Hop / Street Dance / Commercial: Routine shall consist primarily of hip hop or street style techniques such as popping, locking, krumpin, wacking and voguing. Aim for down in the ground style with flat feet and lots of attitude.

Jazz: The choreography can be either modern/new age jazz dance styles and dance steps that consist of acrobatic movements utilizing up-tempo music with a combination. Or it can be a routine consisting of bent knees, open fingers, pointed feet, big steps, leaps and turns. The choreography must use the fundamental jazz dance techniques, styles and dance elements/steps that show the dance as a fully constructed piece of jazz choreography. Theatre Jazz, Broadway Jazz also form part of this section.

Dance can be inspired by a recognised Broadway show or dance musical, past or present. The dance technique and style must show the Jazz genre. The dance can be inspired from a specific musical, but not totally copied. The choreography should inform the style, structure and artistic impetus of the dance piece.

Bob Fosse and Jerome Robbins are well known choreographers, amongst many other choreographers to take inspiration from.

Lyrical: Routine shall consist of ballet, modern and jazz dance techniques and should be inspired by the lyrics and the musical content and the use of emotion to express the dance.

Musical Theatre / Broadway: Characterized by its theatrical flair and song choice, blending elements of jazz and modern dance to convey a story as often seen in musical theatre productions on Broadway or West End.

Performers in this category focus on expressive movement, storytelling, and strong character portrayal to enhance the narrative and emotional impact of a musical performance. The choreography is typically dynamic, with an emphasis on stage presence, precision, and versatility.

Music to be taken from a Broadway or West End musical.

Lip Singing is not mandatory for this section but is allowed

Open: Any routine that does not apply to the above listed disciplines including, but not limited to, National and Folklore Dance, Bollywood, Spanish, etc.

Show Dance: A routine that includes a strong theme, story line or a character that tells a story with a clear narrative, having a distinct beginning and end. Costumes specific to the story and essential to show and character dance are integral to this discipline. Props often also play a strong role in the visualisation aspect of the routine.

Tap: Routine shall contain clear tap technique and consist primarily of tap work with the use of arms. No pre-recorded tap sounds are permitted on the music. Single or double taps are allowed.

Please Note: Open, Disco/Freestyle style routines cannot participate in the Championship division.

Showstopper: Showstopper can be a high-impact, glitzy, glamourous showstopper or a highly emotive, dynamic piece with entertaining choreography. A Showstopper performance is one that leaves the audience needing a moment to catch their breath... whether it's the energy of Riverdance, the drama of "Death of Juliet" from Romeo & Juliet, the resilience in "The Show Must Go On," the vibrancy of the Offenbach Can Can, the cultural richness of Zorba the Greek, or the allure of Bollywood, these and thousands of other acts define the essence of a Showstopper. It is the entertainment factor and audience impact that matters. Any genre is possible in this category; however, no microphones will be provided. Lip-syncing is allowed but carries no point award in the category.

PERFORMANCE :

There are four categories namely:

Solo - 1 Dancer

Duet / Trio (DT) - are a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 3 dancers of the same or mixed gender.

Small Group - 4 to 10 dancers

Large Group - 11+ dancers

PERFORMANCE DIVISION: A dancer may compete multiple solos in the same discipline.

PERFORMANCE DIVISION: A dancer may compete in multiple routines in the same DT discipline for a particular age division and may compete in the same DT discipline in a higher age division. Dancers may compete in multiple Group routines in the same section.

A Dancer's age as on 1 July will determine the age division for the entry/routine.

The average age of all dancers as on 1 July will determine the appropriate age division for each routine of a DT & Group. The Decimal will always be dropped from the average age calculation.

DT and Groups cannot perform more than one age division lower, and 3 years lower in age, from the oldest dancer.

The following are Performance Division Levels:

Teachers are encouraged to enter dancers for the highest age division as a medal and certificate under the intermediate level has more prestige than for example the novice level.

Level Description:

Beginner (0-1 year of dance experience)

Novice (1-3 Years of dance experience)

Intermediate (3-5 years of dance experience)

Advanced (5+ years of dance experience)

The following is the maximum time allowance per category/section for a routine. Music that exceeds the time limit by more than 5 seconds will not be uploaded.

Performance :

Solo's : 1:00 – 2:00

Duet/Trio : 1:00 – 2:00 (coming in 2025 – up to 2:30)

Small & Large Group - 2:00 – 3:30

Performance:

Each routine will receive a score between 60 and 100 percentage points.

Medals will be awarded for the following scores in the PERFORMANCE DIVISION:

Each dancer will receive a report as well as an electronic certificate after their regional Championship which will be available to the school director to download

School directors will receive the provisional schedule of the Competition for their region by the specific date listed on the SADSC website.

Any requests for changes to the schedule that is required due to costume changes must be done on or before listed date.

After this date no variations to the schedule will be made.

The full and final schedule will be released to school directors on the specific date as listed on the SADSC website for their region.

Student will also receive through their dance school or through email their specific dates and times when they will be performing as well as the time of the Prize Giving ceremony for their section.

ADJUDICATORS

Dancers will be evaluated by a panel of at least two qualified and competent judges. The combined scores from the judges will determine the routine's award in the Performance, Championships, and Dance Off/Impro. All adjudicator decisions are final.

Teachers, dancers, and parents are prohibited from interacting with the adjudicators.

MUSIC

Each piece of music must be uploaded to the online system by the school director. It is the school director’s responsibility to ensure that the correct music is paired with the appropriate routine and adheres to the time limit. Music exceeding the 5-second leeway will not be uploaded.

The online entry system automatically verifies the duration of uploaded music. If the music exceeds the time limit, the entry will be rejected. Music should be edited to end naturally or fade out. Under normal circumstances, studio directors or teachers will not be allowed to request music to be faded out backstage during a performance.

Studio directors and teachers are also requested to bring a USB stick containing all their music as a backup to the Championship event.

QUERIES AND PROTESTS

Dancers and parents should not approach office staff with routine queries or other concerns. Instead, all inquiries and concerns must be directed to the school director, who will escalate them to the championship committee if necessary.

Public protests are not permitted. Any protests must be submitted in writing to the Secretary within one hour of the issue arising and must be accompanied by a fee of R300.00. This fee will be forfeited if the protest is deemed frivolous. The decision of the championship committee is final.

UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT AND ILL BEHAVIOUR

Any dancer, teacher, or parent exhibiting unsportsmanlike conduct or inappropriate behaviour towards anyone at the competition will be asked to leave the venue immediately. Similarly, any dancer or teacher displaying such behaviour towards another dancer, teacher, or school/studio backstage will be removed from the backstage area immediately and may have their entries for that day cancelled. Repeated offenses may result in the disqualification of the dancer or dance school from the entire competition. In case of a dispute, school directors must promptly notify the competition manager or director, who will address the issue appropriately.

SCHEDULED PERFORMANCE TIMES

All dancers, along with their audience members, must arrive at least one (1) hour before their scheduled performance times. However, during the first hour of each day, dancers are required to arrive 30 minutes prior to their scheduled performance times.

Dancers should report backstage at least ten (10) items before their scheduled performance, accompanied by a school director or teacher.

BACKSTAGE

Due to limited space, only participating dancers, a maximum of two studio directors or teachers, and essential prop movers are allowed backstage during the competition. Studio directors and teachers may not arrive backstage more than five (5) routines before their section begins. Please keep the backstage area clear to ensure smooth entry and exit for routines.

ON STAGE ASSISTANCE & CURTSY

Dancers are kindly asked to refrain from curtsying or bowing before or after their routines to help maintain the schedule.

Performance Division:

Teachers are permitted to provide on-stage assistance for solo, duet/trio (DT), and group routines where the dancers are under 7 years old. For example, during a beginner solo for a 4-year-old dancer, the teacher may stand slightly in front of the dancer on stage and perform the routine. In DT and group routines with an average age below 7, the teacher may stand at the centre in front of the DT or group and perform the routine.

While this support is allowed, teachers are encouraged to train these young dancers to perform independently. It should be noted that dancers, DTs, and groups performing without assistance and remembering their routines will typically score higher than those requiring assistance.

PROPS, LIGHTS & CURTAINS

Props must be removed from the backstage area immediately after the session of usage. They cannot be stored or left anywhere in the venue, including backstage, throughout the duration of the competition, due to limited space. If a prop needs to be used multiple times during the event, please make arrangements with the competition manager or director for designated storage. The SA Dance School Championships reserves the right to remove any props left unattended that have not been pre-approved for storage.

The SA Dance School Championships is not liable for any props used. It is the sole responsibility of the school director or teacher to manage the setup and removal of props, as well as to clean the stage if it becomes cluttered during a routine. Props must be designed so that they can be placed on stage by a single person within a 20-second timeframe

The SA Dance School Championships will provide and manage appropriate stage lighting. Personal lighting effects, including fire or smoke effects, are not permitted

No material like powder, water or sand may be used on the stage. A penalty will be added to the routine that may result to disqualification.

The stage curtains (if any) will remain open at all times and no opening and closing of the stage curtains will be allowed at all, not even for props or very young dancers. A group of very young dancers may be assisted by a teacher on stage. Dancers must enter and leave the stage quietly and in an orderly manner.

INDECENT MOVEMENTS, LYRICS OR COSTUMING

If any dance movements, lyrics, or costumes are considered too suggestive or inappropriate for a family audience, they will not be scored. Additionally, the routine may be halted or prevented from starting at the discretion of the panel of judges or the competition director

OUT OF SECTION & SCRATCHING

Routines will not be allowed to dance out of section in the championship division.

Should a dancer or routine not be able to compete on a particular day the school director should be notified who in return must notify the competition manager so that the routine can be scratched.

DRESSING AREAS

Dressing room space is always limited, and school directors, teachers and dancers are asked to be tolerant and co-operative. Discipline and cleanliness in the dressing rooms is of the utmost importance: please keep the noise level down and the dressing area clean.

Dancers are encouraged to dress, apply makeup, and style their hair before arriving at the venue. Use the dressing rooms only if you are performing more than once during the day

PROHIBITIVES

Non-compliance will result in disqualification or removal from the competition venue. Smoking, the use of spray paints or finger-nail polish is prohibited anywhere in the buildings. No eating or drinking is allowed in the theatre and no alcohol is allowed at the competition venue.

VIDEO RECORDERS & CAMERAS

Photography and video cameras (including digital cameras and cell phones) will not be allowed in the theatre or any hall where dancers are competing. Any spectators caught contravening the above rule will be asked to leave the theatre immediately and be imposed a fine of R500.

INHERENT RISKS

Participating in a dance competition involves inherent risks, including but not limited to sprains, pulled muscles, and broken bones. By entering this event, dancers acknowledge and accept these risks.

Furthermore, by participating, dancers agree not to hold the SA Dance School Championships, its officers, directors, or staff liable for any injuries sustained during the event. The SA Dance School Championships also disclaims any responsibility for loss or theft of personal property belonging to dancers or other attendees

MEDIA RELEASE

Participants and teachers by virtue of entering the SA Dance School Championships event, give their permission and consent to the SA Dance School Championships Directors to use their images or photographs or appear on videos, television or any other electronic media for advertising, news coverage or any other commercial use of our events.