SCORING 
Each performance will receive up to 100 points per judge based on the following criteria:

Technique	40 Points
Performance/Showmanship	30 Points
Costume/Appearance	10 Points
Choreography/Staging	10 Points
Overall Impression	10 Points

The adjudication scale will be as follows:

Deductions of up to 10 points will be taken from the total score for material that is deemed unsuitable for family viewing (costume, choreography, music) and a 5 point deduction will be incurred for exceeding stated time limits or other rule infractions. All deductions will be issued by one designated CTC staff member, judge, and/or the director(s). All decisions are final.

JUDGING 
The CTC National Finals will include a panel of 4 judges. The panel includes teachers, choreographers and working professionals. All 4 judges will verbally critique and score each routine. The lowest score of the 4 judges will be dropped and the remaining scores will be added together to determine adjudication placement.

Each routine will receive one CD with all 4 critiques as well as all 4 score sheets. Score sheets will contain scores only; all critiques will be on audio CD. Score sheets will include all 4 judges' scores, any deductions, the total score and adjudication placement. Judges' decisions on scoring are final.

Score sheets and critique CDs will be released to teachers or studio directors only at the end of the competition or after the studio's last awards ceremony. CTC is not responsible for score sheets and critiques that are left behind.

SOLO COMPETITION 
Each contestant may compete up to 3 solos in different performance categories/subjects at the National Finals event. As long as a student has performed a solo at a regional event, no additional prequalification is necessary. If a soloist did not previously perform a solo at a regional, they must prequalify 1 solo at our Last Chance Preliminary during National Finals. Prequalifying 1 solo will automatically allow a performer to enter up to 3. Soloists may not compete against themselves; those entering multiple solos must place them in different performance categories. Soloists competing more than one solo will only be allowed to place once (using their highest scoring solo) in the Overall High Score Solo awards.

ALLSTAR PERFORMER OF THE YEAR 
Performers chosen at regional events are invited to compete at National Finals for AllStar Performer of the Year. These dancers are also invited to participate in the Showdown Opening Number on the last day of competition. Regional finalists who wish to compete for AllStar must participate in a minimum of two convention classes (offered the first two days of National Finals events). During each convention class, the faculty will be evaluating and scoring those dancers who are competing for AllStar. The top5 12 & Under Finalists and the top 5 13 & over Finalists will go on to compete in the Showdown on the last day of National Finals.

To determine the Finalists, each dancer’s top two class scores will be added together. The 5 highest scores in each age division will go on to compete during the Showdown for the National Title. There are a minimum of 8 classes offered at National Finals – so if a dancer participates in all the classes the chances of raising the total score increase. Dancers will be required to wear audition numbers at all times during class. A dancer may choose to take only two classes in any style, those scores will automatically add together to make up the total class score. Class scores will be based on the following:

Work Ethic (Energy/Enthusiasm):	40 Points Possible
Technique (Control/Placement):	30 Points Possible
Showmanship & Performance (Character/Personality):	30 Points Possible
Total:	100 Points Possible

The Finalists who will be competing for Allstar will be announced on stage at the final awards ceremony for each age division (12 & Under or 13 & Over). Please note that dancers who have committed to participating in the Opening Number will be expected to do so regardless of whether or not they are chosen as a Finalist.

The National Finalists will compete during the Finale Showcase to crown the 2011 AllStar Performers of the Year. One winner and one runner-up will be recognized in both the Junior (12 & Under) and Senior (13 & Over) age divisions. The winners will receive a cash award, trophy, tiara (females only) and sash. The runners-up will receive a trophy and gift certificate.

Regional Finalists must compete the same solo in the AllStar Performer Showdown that was originally selected at the regional. Finalists chosen at regionals may recompete their title solo in the National Finals solo competition to be considered for overall high score solo awards. If the dancer will be competing the solo during the National Finals competition, an entry form and payment must be submitted.

National Title winners from the previous year will not be allowed to compete for the title previously won. If the dancer currently holds the Junior National Title, they may compete for Senior Title if they were chosen at a regional. National Title winners who return to National Finals will be featured in the Opening Number and will be asked to perform their title winning solos. National Title winners, if not competing for another title, will also be invited to demonstrate/assist during convention classes and assist during the Showdown awards ceremony.

PRELIMINARY COMPETITION 
CTC will have a Last Chance Preliminary Competition during National Finals. Any routines that did not previously compete at a regional must be prequalified during this preliminary competition. The preliminary competition will be conducted according to our regional rules and regulations. Preliminary entries should submit both the “Preliminary Entry Form” and the “National Finals Entry Form” and send in the appropriate entry fees with all other entries.

CELEBRATION SHOWDOWN 
The last day of National Finals will include a dance-off to select the top groups of the entire week. A total of 20 duos/trios, groups or lines will be invited to perform again during the dance-off. The top 5 scoring 12 & Under duo/trios, groups or lines from each performance level and the top 5 scoring 13 & Over duo/trios, groups or lines from each performance level will recompete in the dance-off for additional cash prizes. At the end of the dance-off, the judges will decide how each group will place in their performance level and age division (1st through 5th). All groups selected to participate in the Showcase Finale will win a cash prize.

AGE CLASSES 
All dancers are grouped by age for classification purposes. The following age classes will be used:

Petite - 8 & Under
Junior - 9-12
Teen - 13-15
Senior - 16-19
Adult - 20 & Over

The age classification for routines is determined as of January 1, 2011. This includes solos and groups. To determine the average age for a duo/trio, group, etc., add all the ages of the performers in the routine together, then divide by the total number of dancers. Drop all decimal points. Please do not round up.

For National Finals, routines will dance in the same age class as the regional, unless 50% of the dancers in the group have changed. If at least half the dancers have changed, please recalculate the average age for the entry.

Bump Rule: Duos, Trios, Groups and Lines that include dancers from different age classes may not dance 2 levels below the oldest dancer, regardless of the average age. For example, if the average age of a group is 12 (Junior) but the group contains a 16 year old (Senior), the routine must be “bumped” to the higher age class, Teen.

Any age protests must be submitted in writing to competition director or staff within one hour of performance and be signed by at least one registered teacher or studio owner. In the event of a protest, all contestants must be prepared to provide proof of age upon request by CTC staff or director(s).

PERFORMANCE LEVELS 
CTC offers 2 levels of competition to incorporate different skill levels and groups among contestants.

Rising Star: Dancers whose weekly class time is less than 5 hours. This level is for beginner to intermediate level dancers with limited competition experience.

Shining Star: Dancers whose weekly class time is 5 hours or more. This level is for advanced dancers with more competition experience.

Guidelines for performance levels:

• Both levels are eligible for cash prizes, high point awards and AllStar Performer selections.
• Any entry that contains 50% or more of advanced dancers must be entered in the Shining Star level.
• Any dancer that is in 8 or more routines is considered an advanced dancer.
• Critiques and scoring will be geared toward the appropriate level.
• Performance level between regional and national finals should not be changed unless 50% of the performers in the routine change. If at least half of the dancers change, please recalculate the performance level for the duo/trio, group or line.
• There are no levels in the photogenic, vocal, pro-am or parent categories.
• The Rising Star level is designed to give less experienced dancers a chance to compete against dancers of a similar skill level.
• We must rely on teacher judgment in placing students and routines in the appropriate level.
• CTC judges, directors or staff may elevate routines clearly placed in the wrong level. All decisions are final.
• If a routine was incorrectly placed in the wrong level due to clerical error (either by studio or CTC), notification must be made to CTC office before the start of competition.

TIME LIMITS & ENTRY FEES

Performances at events will be randomly timed. Deductions will be taken for overages.

ENTRY ACCEPTANCE 
CTC does not accept independent entries. All entries must be registered with a studio. All National Finals entries must have been previously qualified at a regional competition or the last chance preliminary. Entries are accepted on a first come, first served basis and must be postmarked or submitted online by the entry deadline. Entries will be accepted until allotted competition time is filled. Entries will not be added to the schedule until full payment and complete entry forms are received in the CTC office. Entry fees may be paid via studio check, credit card, money order or certified check. No personal checks will be accepted. Any entry fees paid after the entry deadline must be paid by credit card, certified check or money order only. Checks returned for any reason will be assessed a $30 fee.

Entry forms or entry fees received after the entry deadline will be assessed an additional $10 per entry. A $10 change fee may be assessed to make changes to an entry for any reason after the entry deadline. No refunds will be issued for entry fees. In the event a child is unable to perform for any reason, CTC may issue a gift certificate in lieu of refund to be used at a CTC 2012 regional competition. The decision to issue a gift certificate for unused entry fees is solely at the discretion of the CTC director(s).

PHOTOGENIC COMPETITION 
Photogenic entries and fees will only be accepted at the competition. Parents or studios may submit photo(s) and entry fees to the registration table at the beginning of the competition. Fees may be paid via cash, studio check, certified check or credit card only. No personal checks will be accepted for photogenic entries. Entries will be judged in the 12 & under and 13 & over age categories. Judged photos will be returned in the studio packets given to teachers or studio owners at the end of the competition. The winners of the National Finals photogenic competition will receive a gift certificate and trophy.

STUDIO REBATES 
Studios who submit entries on or before the rebate deadline for the National Finals will receive a 5% studio rebate. Completed entries, including all forms, releases, fees, etc. must be postmarked or submitted via online registration by the rebate deadline in order to be eligible for the rebate. Rebates should be deducted from entry fees - additional information is provided on entry forms or through the online registration system. All terms must be met in order to receive rebate.

PERFORMANCE CATEGORY DESCRIPTIONS 

Jazz - routine containing jazz technique, steps and choreography.

Tap - routine consisting of primarily tap work. No prerecorded tap sounds allowed.

Hip-Hop - routine contains hip-hop technique and street dance styles performed to hip-hop/R&B music.

Ballet - routine containing classical ballet movements and steps.

Pointe - routine must be performed in Pointe shoes. Includes classical ballet choreography and movement performed on Pointe.

Lyrical - routine consisting of ballet and jazz techniques. Movement should be used to interpret meaning and express emotion.

Contemporary - routine contains modern dance techniques that depict strength and flexibility with an emphasis on performance.

Modern - routine contains modern dance elements and choreography.

Musical Theater - routine that incorporates "Broadway" dance style or music from plays, musicals and films.

Character - routine that depicts a recognizable character. May incorporate any style of dance.

Novelty - routine should include the use of a prop. May incorporate any style of dance.

Production (Lines Only) - routines that contain scenic pieces and/or center around a particular theme or story. Time limit for productions is 8 minutes and must contain a minimum of 20 performers. May incorporate any style of dance.

Acro-Dance - routine that consists of acrobatic tricks as well as dance moves and choreography. May contain tumbling passes.

Gymnastics - routine made up of gymnastic tumbling passes, dance elements not required.

Pom-Pom - routine that includes the use of pom-poms. Should contain sharp, precise movements. No stunts or tosses allowed. Tumbling passes, vocal cheering and hand props are allowed.

Cheer-Dance - routine consisting of cheerleading or dance team technique. May incorporate the use of hand props.

Baton - routine that includes the use of baton(s) and baton technique.

Song & Dance - must contain singing and any style of dance listed. Prerecorded vocals not permitted. A handheld wireless microphone will be available.

Vocal - routine must contain vocals. No lead prerecorded vocals allowed. Backup recorded vocals are allowed. A handheld wireless microphone will be available.

Clogging - routine that utilizes clogging technique (either traditional or contemporary). Partnering skills and stunts that do not contain releases are allowed.

Folk/Ethnic - routine consisting of an ethnic style of dance: African, Hawaiian, etc.

Pro-Am - routine that contains professionals or a combination of amateurs and professionals. May incorporate any style of dance. Not eligible for cash, overall or title awards.

Parent - routine that contains parents and relatives of students performed in any style of dance. May include teachers and students but is ineligible for cash, overall or title awards.

Open - routine that incorporates movement from any of the listed categories or combination thereof.

Photogenic - contestants may submit up to 3 recent photos (5x7s or 8x10s). A winner will be chosen in the 12 & under and 13 & over age classes. Photos may be color or black and white.

Acrobatic Tricks - Ballet and Pointe may not contain any acrobatic tricks. The following categories may contain a maximum of 2 acrobatic tricks: jazz, tap, lyrical, contemporary, modern and clogging. All other categories may contain unlimited acrobatic tricks. A trick is defined as an acrobatic or gymnastic element where the feet pass entirely over the head. A gymnastic pass is considered one trick.

MUSIC 
Music may be submitted on individual CDs (one entry per CD) or on an iPod© mobile digital device. Music submitted on an iPod should be saved as a playlist and the device should be properly labeled with your studio name and code. The playlist should be titled the name of the studio and each file/track must be labeled with the name of music and the entry number assigned. When possible, files should organized chronologically within the playlist by entry number. If submitting music via iPod, turn in your device to the music table each morning of the competition (your device will be returned at the end of each competition day).

Music on CD should be turned in to the registration table at the beginning of each competition day. You may turn in a binder, CD case or individual CDs. CDs should be labeled with your studio name and the name of the music. CTC will place your music in prelabeled CD envelopes on the day of the competition. We will return your CDs to you in these envelopes (along with your case or binder). The music speed will not be adjusted by emcee. Please be sure to have a backup for all music (CD or iPod). A compilation CD is acceptable for backup purposes. iPod is a registered trademark of Apple Inc.

GENERAL RULES 

1. To prevent performers from competing against themselves, no more than 50% of any duo/trio or group may compete in the same age class and performance category as another duo/trio or group from the same studio. Soloists may not compete against themselves; those entering multiple solos must place them in different performance categories.
2. Performers must compete on designated day and time. Routines that compete outside of their scheduled day and time will be eligible for adjudication only.
3. All costumes, choreography and music lyrics should be suitable for family viewing and listening. Routines containing inappropriate or suggestive material will receive point deductions. Decisions will be made by one designated CTC staff member, judge, or director. All decisions will be final. In extreme cases, an entry may be removed from overall high score eligibility and receive adjudication placement only.
4. For the safety of the dancers and the protection of choreography, no video cameras or photo/still cameras may be used during performances. Each studio will be given both a "photographer pass" and "videographer pass" to be used during the competition. The pass will allow one person from each studio to video and photograph routines from your studio only. All passes must be attached to cameras at all times and be set up in designated areas only. Photos and videos should only be taken from the designated area. Flash photography is not allowed during performances. Failure to adhere to any of these rules may deem a routine ineligible for overall awards. CTC reserves the right to inspect cameras brought into the theater at any time to verify that footage contains only one studio's performances. The audience is welcome to shoot photos (including flash) during our awards ceremony. Additional information as well as photo and video passes will be sent in the registration packets mailed to studio directors10-14 days before the National Finals. CTC may offer the services of a photographer and/or videographer at National Finals. If a professional videographer is present, studios will not receive a "videographer pass" as no other video cameras will be allowed in the theater. Regardless of vendors present, "all studios will still receive one "photography pass" to take still photos from the designated area. CTC receives no revenue from sales of these items and contracts these services as a convenience to parents, teachers and studio directors.
5. Coaching from the wings is prohibited.
6. General props are permitted; no dangerous props (weapons, fire, etc) are allowed. Helium balloons are only permitted if secured to a prop or a person. Scenery is not allowed. The prop must be an integral part of the performance and must be actively used throughout. Other than dancers, no person may remain on stage during performances.
7. Props should be set up and assembled in 2 minutes or less. Please notify us as soon as possible if you expect a particular prop's setup to take longer.
8. Props must not damage dance floor in any way and should stand no higher than 10 feet. Performers should not stand above 6 feet.
9. No liquid, gel, aerosol, glitter or other substance that could effect the dance floor may be used.
10. Unless permission is posted by the convention center, no food or drinks are to be brought into the auditorium, dressing or backstage areas.
11. CTC assigns dressing space to each studio based on the number of performers per studio. More than one studio may be assigned to a single dressing room or area on an as needed basis.
12. Good sportsmanship is expected from performers, students, parents and the general audience at all times. Horns, whistles and other noisemakers are not allowed in the theater. Failure to adhere to these rules may result in point deduction and/or disqualification in extreme instances.
13. Contestants competing in a dance competition take certain inherent risks including but not limited to sprains, bruises, pulled and sore muscles and broken bones. Participants agree not to hold Celebration Talent Competition LLC, its officers or staff responsible for injuries, illnesses or damages sustained while participating in any activity related to a Celebration Talent Competition LLC event.
14. All contestants consent to their use of photos and videos for marketing and advertising purposes including but not limited to print, web and other media outlets.