Contest Information
    
    

Team Competition

Your team may enter a choice of the categories including Jazz, Funk, Hip Hop, High Kick, Novelty, Pom, Prop, Lyrical, Modern, Military and Production, and you will be given a separate I, II or III rating on each. You may enter up to ten routines and have only the best three scores count toward Sweepstakes. Your team is eligible to receive Sweepstakes (rating of 85-100 from at least two judges on each of three routines), Judges Award (rating of 90-100 from all judges on all three routines), and ShowTime's Applause Awards (Precision, Showmanship, Choreography, Audience Appeal and Entertainment, Technique, Energy, Spirit of America, Kick Master and Jr. Kick Master). In addition, the judges will select a “Best in Category” routine for each classification. New team and officer classification will be by the exact number enrolled in your drill team, not the number of dancers performing. Teams and officers will be classified by team size (small, medium, large and super) and may vary at each contest to afford the most equitable competition. At each contest the judges will select several teams for the “Champions Circle” and a Grand Champion in each classification. Entrance and exit are not judged. Time Limit: Entrance, routine and exit 5 minutes maximum.

Officer competition

Officers are invited to enter routines in the same categories. You may enter up to ten routines and have only the best three scores count toward Sweepstakes. Additional routines may be entered for exhibition and critique. Officers will receive ratings of I, II or III on each routine and are eligible to receive Sweepstakes and Judges Awards. In addition, the judges will select a “Best in Category” routine for each classification. The judges may select officer groups for Champions Circle. Please check information for your specific contests listed earlier in this brochure for the officer competition times and locations. Officers should be prepared to perform either on a hard surface or a carpeted floor. Officer routines do not count toward the “Team Grand Champion” award. Entrance, routine and exit 4 minutes maximum.

Solo competition

Dancers are encouraged to compete for up to a $300 scholarship to the university of their choice by performing an individual routine. Contestants should be prepared to perform on a carpeted or hard surface. Critique sheets will be issued. Solos will be judged on showmanship, originality, difficulty, technique, appearance, style, memory and flexibility. All soloists will receive 1st, 2nd or 3rd place patches. Finalists will be named on Saturday during the day. Time Limit: 2 minutes, not including entrance and exit. Penalty over 2 minutes 15 seconds.

Small and large ensemble competition

Dancers may also enter a routine in the small (2-4) or large (5-12) ensemble categories. Each contestant will receive a patch and written/verbal critiques from the judges. These routines should be designed to use the chosen number of participants in the most interesting way, highlighting patterns, partner work, and steps that only that particular number of dancers could do with good visual effect. Each dancer will receive a patch. The top ensembles will be announced at the awards ceremony, and individual trophies will be presented to each winning dancer. Time Limit: 3 minutes. Penalty over 3 minutes 15 seconds.

Junior Competition

Kindergarten throught 9th Grade (Junior) competition will be held along with high school competition at each contest. Juniors will be grouped according to grade levels listed in the entry blank. The same ShowTime contest rules listed will apply to junior competition. Solos and ensembles will also compete with their grade categories. A minimum of five dancers or teams in a grade division will comprise a category. Otherwise, contestants will compete up into the next grade division. The grade of the oldest member of the team determines the classification for the team. Finalists will be named on Saturday.

Entry deadlines

Deadline for receiving entry forms, contest fees, and names of solos, ensembles, and officers is three weeks before the contest. We urge you to send in your entry blank immediately so that you won't miss out on any contest update information. Please call us to let us know which contests you’re planning to attend, even if you haven't decided on routines yet. You will not be placed on the schedule until fees are received. Deadline for Spotlight Contest/Clinics is also two weeks before the event. Late fees apply to fees not paid by the deadlines. Each routine added the week of the event may be subject to a $25.00 late fee per routine.

Additional information

Full information packet with additional rules, sightseeing and hotel information, maps, schedules, results, floor diagrams, etc., will be available on our web site at www.showtimeint.com.

Early registration bonus

It certainly helps us to know as early as possible how many teams will be attending each contest. For this years contests, teams who register and send in full registration fees for at least three team or officer routines before December 15 will receive a 10% refund of their registration fees. Save your team some money and help us with our planning. (Does not apply to Spotlights, Six Flags Contest, or Fall/Winter contests.)

Refund policy

Refunds in writing: 30 days before the contest, full refund less 10% bookkeeping fee. 15-29 days before the contest, 50% penalty. 14-0 days before the contest, no refund.