• This competition is open to amateur performers only. No full-time or professional dancers may compete in any section.

• Entry fees are non-refundable. Competitor pass fees are required for all participants.

• A small One Music fee applies per entry.

• Competitors are not entitled to a refund for non-appearance in any section.

• Organisers reserve the right to close registrations early if sold out.

• A troupe must consist of a minimum of four (4) competitors.

• Troupe numbers and names must be listed at the time of registration.

• Studios must send in a list of attending teachers and their WWCC numbers one week prior to the competition. Only these teachers will be allowed backstage.

• Competitors must purchase a competitor pass to enter the venue.

• Age is calculated as at 1st January of the competition year.

• Competitors not adhering to age rules may be disqualified.

• Adjudicators may request proof of age.

• Troupes must dance at the age of the oldest competitor.

• Music to be uploaded to Music Uploads by the cut-off date.

• Music must be age-appropriate and suitable for a family audience. This includes lyrics and themes that are respectful and not sexually explicit, vulgar, discriminatory, or culturally insensitive. 

• Dance choreography must be suitable for a family audience.

• Competitors must be ready side stage in plenty of time for their performance.

• Competitors must enter the stage promptly

• Time limits:

Troupe sections: 5 minutes max

• If competitors stop mid-performance:

- May restart at the end of the section for critique only.

- If stop is caused by technical fault, or major safety issue, restart for adjudication is allowed.

- This is at the discretion of the Director.

• No curtain or blackout will be used for Troupe Days; dancers must enter and exit safely.

• A backup copy of all music must be available on a device that can connect via AUX cord and be taken to the bio box for playback.

• Movement of a troupe item to another position in the section can only be considered if the competitor is scheduled to perform again within 5 dances. This will be accommodated where possible.

• Sections may start up to 30 minutes early.

• Organisers reserve the right to combine or split sections and amend running sheets; changes are final.

• Sections may be combined due to insufficient entries or split if more than 20 entries, following age group rules.

• Large sections may be split into “A” and “B” groups; this order is final on the day.

• Competitors may only appear once per section, per age group. E.g. if your dance school has an A and B troupe in the same section, there must be no crossover of competitors.

• Props are permitted if the competitor/teacher can place and remove them safely on and off stage within 1 minute.

• Please be mindful of how much space your props will take up backstage. It is a shared area and space is needed for everyone, including marshalling of competitors.

• Props are not the responsibility of the organisers.

• No breakable props are allowed, e.g. mirrors, glass, ceramics.

• No props that can damage the stage are permitted. This includes, but is not limited to paint, chalk, glitter, sand, gel.

• Performers/teachers must be prepared to completely clean the stage within 1.5 minutes if they have use of any loose items such as confetti, feathers, petals etc.

• Safe acrobatic moves are allowed but must not exceed 10% of the routine.

• Adjudicators prioritise dance content over acrobatics.

• Mobile phones are banned backstage, except for teachers filming their own students from side stage.

• No food or drink is allowed in the theatre.

• Only teachers may accompany competitors in side stage areas; parents are not permitted.

• Teachers will only be permitted to remain side stage for the duration of their student’s dance items.

• Teachers may only film their own students from side stage. If teachers are caught filming other dance schools’ items/students, they may be disqualified from the section.

• Studios must send in a list of attending teachers and their WWCC numbers one week prior to the competition. Only these teachers will be allowed backstage.

• Backstage dressing rooms may prioritise quick changes and male dancers.

• Troupe dressing rooms will be assigned and not changed.

• All participants must keep dressing rooms clean and leave them as they were found; extra cleaning charges may apply for untidiness. Use rubbish bins provided and respect other schools’ space.

• No males are permitted in the dressing rooms (the classrooms allocated to each dance school). Male competitors will use a separate change room backstage UNLESS where a studio has its own allocated dressing room, junior male competitors are permitted to remain with their studio. Teachers are responsible for managing privacy and changing arrangements within that room. Studios may bring a small changing tent or privacy screen if they wish.

• Male teachers and studio owners who have provided a valid WWCC in advance may rehearse students in the hallway between the dressing rooms/classrooms. Male competitors may also use this hallway space to rehearse with their troupe and teachers.

• If we are advised in advance that male teachers/studio owners or male competitors aged 18+ will be rehearsing in the hallway, privacy blinds will be installed over change room windows.

• Adjudicators’ decisions are final. No discussion or correspondence is allowed.

• Communication with adjudicators is strictly prohibited.

• Prizes: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, Honourable Mention (HM), and Highly Commended (HC) may be awarded per section.

• Prizes will be presented at the end of each section; two competitors will be asked to return on stage for awards and are asked to stay in costume if possible.

• Novelty prizes will be awarded at the end of the day (e.g. best costume).

• Strictly no photography or video in the theatre.

• Any audience member violating this rule will be asked to delete the image/video and asked to leave immediately.

• The performing competitor associated with the person caught violating this rule may receive a zero score or disqualification.

• Teachers must ensure parents and students are aware of this rule.

Media Consent: All participants in Spotlight Dance Competitions give their permission for any photograph or video that is taken of them on stage by Spotlight Dance Competitions to be used in the promotion of the competition for up to 5 years, including use in newspapers, brochures, websites and social media. Consent will remain in place unless advised otherwise.

If you do not wish for your child to be included in the above promotional material, please have your studio email info@spotlightdancecompetitions.com with the child's name, what section they’re competing in and what dance school they represent.

• Competitors participate at their own risk. Organisers are not liable for injuries (see ‘Liability’).

• Emergency exits and backstage areas must remain clear at all times.

• Bullying, harassment, or intimidation is strictly prohibited.

• Alcohol, smoking, and illicit substances are prohibited on competition grounds.

• Dancers may sit only in the last 2 rows of the theatre and may be asked to leave if paying audience members do not have a seat.

• No sitting on stairs in the audience.

• Backstage dressing rooms are prioritised for quick changes and male dancers.

• The Directors will ensure appropriate emergency procedures exist in all work locations and that all personnel understand the procedures relevant to their location.

Assumption of Risk: Spotlight Dance Competitions, its staff, and the site of the competition will not be responsible for any accident or injury. All competitors and spectators enter at their own risk. No responsibility will be taken for any accident, injury, or loss of property. This also applies to cars parked on the grounds of the venue.

Children’s safety is of the utmost importance to Spotlight Dance Competitions. Everyone in attendance must comply with our Child Safety Code of Conduct. Please find our Child Safety & Wellbeing Policy HERE.

Refunds will only be provided if the competition is cancelled due to an error or fault of the organisers, or in the event of major external circumstances beyond our control (such as government-imposed health restrictions). Refunds will be issued minus Comps-Online fees and standard administration/booking costs.

DECISION MAKING: Spotlight Dance Competitions shall decide on any matter not covered in these rules. Its decision on any question or dispute will be final. Any rule may be amended at the discretion of the directors.

Parents & Guardians

• Encourage participation for enjoyment and personal growth, not solely for results.

• Applaud all performers, not just your own students.

• Criticism of children, teachers, or judges is not tolerated.

• Respect competition staff, volunteers, and officials.

• Ensure children behave appropriately in dressing rooms, backstage, and auditorium.

• Respect the rights and dignity of all competitors.

Competitors

• Behave respectfully to fellow competitors, teachers, staff, and adjudicators.

• Demonstrate good sportsmanship at all times.

• Keep dressing rooms, theatre, and venue clean and tidy.

• Follow stage management and staff instructions promptly.

• Respect the adjudicator’s decision. It is final.

• Competitors may only appear once per section or age group,  e.g. if your dance school has an A and B troupe in the same section, there must be no crossover of competitors.

• No on-stage rehearsal is allowed.

Teachers & Schools

• Ensure students are prepared, supervised, and aware of rules.

• Teachers must check in at the front desk upon arrival  at the competition and get a wristband.

• Teachers may accompany only one competitor group side stage per section and must wear a wristband.

• Teachers will only be permitted to remain side stage for the duration of their student’s dance items.

• Teachers must inform parents about photography/video restrictions and safety rules.

• No men are permitted in change rooms (see ‘Dressing Rooms’ for more info).

• Dressing rooms must be left as they were found. Cleanliness is required or schools may incur extra charges.