1. Entries are available to all dancers. Teachers are NOT allowed to compete.

2. All ages are determined by January 1, 2025 for all Nationals dancers.

3. All competition entries must be registered by the event registration cut-off date, otherwise they will not be eligible to compete.

4. Nationals fees are NON-REFUNDABLE. NO EXCEPTIONS. This includes sickness, incremental weather, doctor visit, injuries, etc. 

5. Take advantage of special discounts HERE

6. All changes and adjustments to competition routines must be finalized TWO WEEKS prior to event start date. Changes made after this time and onsite changes will not be accommodated.

7. Independent entries ARE allowed to compete.

8. No limit to the number of competition routines entered per studio.

9. Judges will be live critiquing the performers, immediately following each routine. This format is for all solo, duet, trio and group routines.

10. Elite Finals: Judges adjudicate each routine, without live feedback.

11. Judges score each routine based on the breakdown below. (see Judging)

12. All routines must be appropriate and family viewable (both music and choreography.) Inappropriate routines will be stopped and immediately disqualified.

13. Flash photography and performance video are NOT allowed during competition. Fluid Dance supplies complimentary video of each routine to all competing studios.

14. Live web streaming will be available throughout the duration of the competition, and the Elite Finals.

15. Spectators to the competition will be welcomed on a first come, first served basis, with no entry fee.

PREQUALIFYING ROUTINES

No prequalifying requirements. ALL studios, dancers and routines are welcome!

COMPETITION CATEGORIES

Performances must be entered into one of the following categories which best fits the style of routine. If your routine does not fit into one of these categories, please enter it into the 'Open' category.

BALLET

Performance consisting of ballet technique; including classical steps and movement

POINTE

Classical ballet technique performed en pointe

JAZZ

Performance consisting of jazz technique, while utilizing up-tempo music

CONTEMPORARY

Performance consisting of jazz style, with heavy emphasis on modern & ballet technique

HIP HOP

Performance must include hip hop and street type movement

LYRICAL

Performance consisting of lyrical technique and contemporary dance styles

TAP

Performance consisting of tap technique and primarily tap work

MUSICAL THEATRE

Performance consisting of song interpretation from a Broadway or Movie Musical

MODERN

Dance emphasizing interpretive movement using modern technique

OPEN

Performance demonstrating any dance style or combination of dance styles (ethnic, ballroom, clogging, novelty, acro, character, etc.)

PERFORMANCE BREAKOUT

SOLO: 1 dancer

DUET/TRIO: 2-3 dancers

SMALL GROUP: 4-9 dancers

LARGE GROUP: 10-19 dancers

PRODUCTION: 20 plus dancers

*same performance breakout applies for 'Extended Time' routines

AGE DIVISIONS

Age Division is determined by age of dancer as of January 1, 2025.

PETITE DIVISION: Ages 5-7

MINI DIVISION: Ages 8-10

JUNIOR DIVISION: Ages 11-12

TEEN DIVISION: Ages 13-15

SENIOR DIVISION: Ages 16-19

ADULT DIVISION: Ages 20+

*Please note age division breakout is different for Nationals and Summer Intensive.

TIME LIMIT

SOLO: 2 minutes, 45 seconds

DUET/TRIO: 2 minutes, 45 seconds

SMALL GROUP: 3 minutes

EXTENDED TIME SMALL GROUP: 5 minutes

LARGE GROUP: 3 minutes

EXTENDED TIME LARGE GROUP: 5 minutes, 35 seconds

PRODUCTION: 4 minutes

EXTENDED TIME PRODUCTION: 6 minutes, 35 seconds

Timing will begin with the first movement and end with the last movement. Performers must enter and exit the stage in a timely manner, while promptly clearing any stage props.

MUSIC

Upload all music within the registration portal. Double check the correct song and song version has been uploaded to registration portal 10 days prior to event start date.

Please have a backup for all competing music onsite. We will not be able to accept music through email or the internet during the live competition.

PROP REQUIREMENTS

General props are accepted, but MUST be moved on and off stage by performers or performers' helpers. Fluid Dance Staff are not available to assist with movement of props. Please clean and clear stage upon completion of routine performance. The construction and building of props, both on and off stage, are strictly prohibited. 

Fluid does NOT allow dangerous, explosive, live animal, fog machine, water, paint, glitter or oversized props. Due to restricted ballroom space and ceiling height, ‘oversized props’ are considered anything above 10 feet and dancers cannot stand on props over 6 feet.

Please contact the Fluid Dance office to receive approval regarding any props you think may be an issue prior to registration.

Each routine is given 2.00 minutes to move props on stage and 2.00 minutes to move props off stage. One point will be deducted for each minute gone over time.

3.00 minutes of ‘prop’ extended time is available for purchase: additional fee of $5 per dancer.

STAGE

Marley Floor Competition Stage: 40’(width) x 32’(depth), with additional wing space provided upstage left and right.

JUDGING

All competing routines are adjudicated by three judges. Once routine is complete, live feedback is executed by each judge within a 45 seconds allotted time slot. Feedback is for all solo, duet/trio, small group, large group, production and all extended time routines.

Competition adjudication will also be scored off a total of 300 points. All ties are broken by the Technique score. Our adjudicators have the final decision.