RULES FOR PARTICIPATING - PLEASE READ CAREFULLY

1. Performances will be timed with a maximum of 2 minutes of performance time. (+45 seconds for groups of 2 or more, per additional performer, maximum of 3).

2. A fursuit (partial or full) is required during tryouts and during the main event.
At minimum: Head, hand paws, feet paws and tails are required (Costumed shoe/footwear i.e. “Happy Feet” are acceptable). It is HIGHLY RECOMENDED wearing feet paws instead of shoes if possible.

3. Musical tracks must follow an age-appropriate rating. No excessive swearing or racial slurs or overly graphic sexual references. The convention rating is PG-13. If the submitted track does not meet the requirement, the contestant will be notified by the dance coordinator to correct. The acceptable file format is MP3, preferably 320kbps if possible.

4. It is strongly recommended that contestants bring a USB flash drive with a copy of their music (MP3 or WAV) as a backup in the event the file provided on Dropbox/Google Drive is not accessible by AV or is corrupted.

5. In both in prelims and in the finals, judges will be looking at factors such as:

- Execution: Judges will assess how precise each dancer’s movements are within the chosen style of dance, how strong each move is, and how cleanly it is performed.

- Space and Levels: Judges will critique how well a routine uses the space presented. Staying within one small space, often referred to as a “comfort box”, will lower your score while finding ways to dance towards the edges of the floor will raise your score. Levels scores will be lowered if a routine is done at one level such as standing, sitting, kneeling, or jumping. Levels scores will be raised if a routine mixes up its stance levels between standing, sitting, kneeling, or jumping.

-Choreography: Judges want to see that your routine matches the music to which you are dancing. Dancers with good choreography feel the different rhythms inside a song, and their movement will match the tempo/attitude of that track. Choreography scores will be lowered if the routine does not match the song it’s paired with. Choreography scores will be raised if the music compliments the routine.

-Technique: Judges will evaluate how well the routine represents that style of dance. For example: if a routine has waves, isolations, and tutting judges will look for how the performance uses the different styles of dance to play off each other and create a stronger routine. Judges will also look for repeated moves or a depth of moves within each style. Repeating the same move too much will lower your technique score while being able to perform a variety of moves with varying complexity will raise your score.

-Group Synchronicity (groups only): This is the largest scoring opportunity for group routines. Judges will critique how in time one dancer is with another during the routine. If a routine has instance with purposeful de-synchronization make sure your routine makes it clear, these instances can be powerful tools if used properly. Judges will also critique how often one dancer has to look at another to keep with the choreography. Routines are not required to completely avoid looking at one’s partner, however it should be done in a more meaningful way than remembering your spot. Group synchronicity scores will be lowered if a group must keep looking at each other instead of the audience, or if one dancer is out of pace with their partner(s) or music. Group synchronicity scores will be raised if the dancers only have to look at each other when the choreography calls for it and are able to keep pace with their partner(s) and music.

6. In the prelims, competitors will perform one at a time and be judged accordingly

Keep in mind that while this is a competition, the point of having these competitions is for the entertainment of the crowd. Without the crowd, these events wouldn't happen.

Dancers are welcome to perform using any style of dance. Judges’ scores will reflect the desired effect of the performance (i.e., dancers will not be docked for not generating cheering in a contemporary performance.)

Practice, practice, practice! Practice your routine before the convention. Performing freestyle when entering a dance competition almost never has the same effect as a performance that is choreographed and well rehearsed. There are great freestylers, but a few sessions of practice can help a routine go from great to phenomenal.

Be confident in yourself. Even if it’s your first competition, no one will make fun of you for trying. You will be nervous but use that feeling to make your performance better. Even the most experienced dancers that have been in competition after competition get nervous before they go on. It's normal! Take a deep breath and have fun with it.

Edit your music! It is not up to the Audio-Visual crew to find your cue point. Editing your music to begin and end at the appropriate spots will ensure no mistakes are made during your performance.

7. Everyone is required to be at auditions, if you can not make it you will have to schedule a make up with Dance comp coordinator.

8. All competitors must arrive 30 minutes BEFORE doors so a roll call can be taken. If a competitor is late, they may be disqualified from participating.

Have fun!