Rules/guidelines

PLEASE READ ALL RULES CAREFULLY

(FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THESE RULES COULD RESULT IN DISQUALIFICATION)

Registration:

Registration is done through BravO!’s Dance Comp Genie site! To create an account, please click here. If you already have an account through Dance Comp Genie, just log in and select BravO! from the list of available competitions. For help with your account, please contact the BravO! Offices.

Payment:

Billing for BravO! is not processed through Dance Comp Genie! There is no automatic option for payment on the registration site. When you complete and finalize your entries online, you are alerting the BravO! office staff that you have completed your registration process. Invoicing will be emailed to the studio on file 45 days prior to event and full payment will be due at that time. A copy of your invoice may always be obtained through your DCG Portal.

Payment is due 30 days prior to the start of each event! Please note that the only methods of payment for entry fees accepted by BravO! are cash, check, or money order. There is a $35.00 fee for returned checks. Credit card payments will be accepted with an additional 6% processing fee and requires communication with our office manager at krista@bravocompetition.com or 402-939-7954. Furthermore, no studio will be officially registered for a given competition until their balance is satisfied in full. In the event that a given studio submits any payment less than 30 days before the competition in which they wish to compete, the only acceptable methods of payment will be cash, bank-issued cashier’s check, money order, or credit card with applicable 10% late fee.

PAYMENT IS NOT ACCEPTED AT THE EVENT. NO EXCEPTIONS!

***Checks sent to BravO! prior to the date of invoicing will be held until 45 days prior to the competition start date, regardless of when they are received***

NO REFUNDS NO EXCEPTIONS! If a change occurs due to illness or injury of a dancer after your invoice has been issued, the studio will receive a credit for the following season for any routines that were unable to perform due to the illness/injury. Please note: A doctor’s note or confirmed test result will be required!

Additional entries that are requested after invoices have been issued will be accepted on a case-by-case basis and will be charged at full amount with any applicable late fees, regardless of previously applied discounts. If these late entries are approved by BravO! Staff, payment must be received before they are included in the scheduling. NO CHANGES, ADDITIONS, OR SCHEDULING REQUESTS will be accommodated after invoices are issued unless payment has been received in full. 

Types of Entries

• Solo: 1 dancer (*Soloists cannot enter more than one routine within the same  performance category. BravO! may limit the total number of solos per individual dancer at larger events and based on time restraints.)
• Duo/Trio: 2-3 dancers (*Duos and Trios compete against one another.)
• Small Group: 4 to 9 dancers
• Large Group: 10-19 dancers
• Line: 20 or more dancers

Time Limits

• Solo: 2 minutes & 45 seconds
• Duo/Trio: 2 minutes & 45 seconds
• Small Group: 3 minutes (purchasing extended time allows for one additional minute.)
• Large Group: 4 minutes (purchasing extended time allows for one additional minute.)
• Line: 4 minutes (purchasing extended time allows for one additional minute.)

*Large Groups & Lines placed in the Production Category are automatically allotted 6 minutes. For guidelines on the Production Category, please read our ‘Dance Categories’ section. (Purchasing extended time allows for 2 additional minutes.)

Age Divisions

BravO! has five age divisions. Petite, Junior, Teen, Senior, and Adult divisions have subsets used only in the instance of determining the Top Scoring Gold Medallion (when applicable).  The age divisions are as follows:

• Petite: 0-8 years (4 & under, 5-6 years, 7-8 years)
• Junior: 9-11 years (9 years, 10 years, 11 years)
• Teen: 12-14 years (12 years, 13 years, 14 years)
• Senior: 15-19 years (15-16 years, 17-19 years)
• Adult: 20+ years (*Performers in the Adult Division will compete at the BravO! level.)

Determining Age Divisions

Dancer’s ages will be determined by their age as of January 1st of the current competition year. The average age of all performers in a Duo/Trio, Group, or Line determines the age division for that routine. BravO! figures the average by adding the ages of all performers in a routine divided by the number of performers and DROPPING THE DECIMAL POINT. For example, if the average age is 12.9 the routine would compete in the 12 years (Teen) age division. Any routine containing a performer 20+ years old will automatically be placed in the Adult Division, regardless of the average age of all dancers in that routine.

Please be aware, if a protest arises regarding age, all competitors must be prepared to present proof of age. All protests must be presented in writing to the BravO! Tour Director within one half-hour of the incident in question. All protests must be signed. EACH PERFORMER MUST BRING PROOF OF AGE. We will require this proof be presented in the event of a protest.

Experience Levels

*PLEASE NOTE: The information provided regarding experience levels is only meant as a guideline. The decision is made at the discretion of each studio owner and/or teacher based on these guidelines. PLEASE BE SURE TO REEVALUATE & UPDATE YOUR DANCERS EXPERIENCE LEVELS PRIOR TO REGISTRATION FOR A NEW SEASON.

O!verture Level

The O!verture level is designed for dancers with limited competition experience and/or dancers who take an approximate total of 0-2 hours combined dance/acro/rehearsal lessons per week. While it is not mandatory that you enter the O!verture level if you take 2 or fewer hours per week, it is recommended, especially for newcomers to competition dancing. Please note, this is only a guideline and we leave the final decision to studio discretion.

Encore! Level

The Encore! level is designed for dancers with moderate competition experience and/or dancers who take a total of 2-5 hours of combined dance/acro/rehearsal lessons per week. While it is not mandatory that you enter the Encore! level if you take 2-5 hours of lessons per week, it is recommended. Please note, this is only a guideline, and we leave the final decision to studio discretion.

BravO! Level

The BravO! level is designed for dancers who display a higher level of technical abilities and skill and/or have significant competition experience. BravO! level dancers generally take a total of 5 or more hours combined dance/acro/rehearsal lessons per week. Please note, this is only a guideline, and we leave the final decision to studio discretion.

*Please keep in mind, no competition can concretely know how many hours of week a studio is in the studio or how much competition experience a student has. We trust that directors/teachers will use sound judgment when entering levels for dancers. Dancers that are obviously under-placed can be moved up an experience level by our judges. If this occurs, you will be notified by your Competition Director.

Determining Experience Levels

All Duo/Trio, Group, or Line routines will be placed in the experience level of the majority of the dancers, defaulting to the highest possible experience level in the instance of equal placement. Meaning, if 50% or more of the dancers in a routine are O!verture level, the routine will be placed in the O!verture experience level, even if it contains Encore! Or BravO! level dancers. Likewise, if 50% or more of the dancers in a routine are Encore! level, the routine will be placed in the Encore! experience level, even if it contains O!verture and/or BravO! level dancers. The same applies if 50% or more of the dancers in a routine are BravO! level, the routine will be placed in the BravO! experience level, even if it contains O!verture & Encore! level dancers. Additionally, if your routines contain dancers from all three levels, the routine will be placed in the experience level of the majority of dancers. For example: If 30% of your dancers are O!verture level, 50% of your dancers are Encore! level and 20% of your dancers are BravO! level, the routine will be placed in the Encore! experience level. If your dancers are evenly split into all three experience levels (for example 5 O!verture level dancers, 5 Encore! level dancers, 5 BravO! level dancers) the routine will be placed in the BravO! level.

Dance Categories

Acrobatic Dance

Routine using controlled moves such as walkovers, limbers, handstands, chest rolls, etc. Can contain gymnastic passes. Majority of the routine must be acrobatic moves. Routine may contain flexibility or contortionist moves. Must contain dance moves, steps, and choreography.

Ballet

The routine must consist of ballet technique. Must include classical steps and movements. No gymnastic/acrobatic tricks allowed. Pointe shoes are not allowed.

Character

Routine portraying an easily recognizable character from a play, movie, television, or Broadway show; or a stereotype such as a farmer, policeman, etc. Can incorporate dance and/or acrobatic techniques.

Clogging

Routine utilizing either traditional or contemporary clogging technique and style. Only 3 gymnastic/acrobatic tricks are allowed. No tosses. Over the back lifts, drops, and partnering moves are permitted.

Contemporary

Interpretive dance using balance, extension, isolations, and control extending beyond jazz and lyrical. Only 3 gymnastic/acrobatic tricks allowed.

Hip-Hop

The routine must consist primarily of hip-hop technique. May include street dance, freestyle, funk, ‘pop-n-lock’, break dancing, and acrobatic tricks.

Hoofer

The routine must contain primarily tap technique and tap work. This category is designed to showcase more of a ‘Stomp/Da Funk’ feel with heavy accent which might include a cappella and improvisational movement; more of a flat foot style.

Jazz

The routine must consist primarily of jazz technique. Only 3 gymnastic/acrobatic tricks allowed.

Lyrical

The routine should demonstrate balance, extension, and control using lyrical moves set to the mood and/or lyrics of the music. Only 3 gymnastic/acrobatic tricks allowed.

Modern

The routine must consist of modern technique and movement demonstrating balance, control, and extension. No gymnastic/acrobatic tricks allowed.

Musical Theatre

Routine featuring any style of dance interpreting a song from a Broadway show or movie musical.

Novelty

Any style of dance or tumbling that makes ample use of a prop as a part of the choreography throughout the routine.

Open

Any of our listed categories or combination of listed category styles.

Pointe

The routine must consist of Pointe technique.  No gymnastic/acrobatic tricks allowed.

Production

A group routine incorporating any style of dance or acrobatics with a specific theme. A production encompasses the full use of the stage, multiple entrances/exits/crossovers, and multiple focal points.

Tap

The routine must contain primarily tap technique and tap work. Only 3 gymnastic/acrobatic tricks allowed.

Variety

Any style of dance or tumbling that does not easily fit into our other listed categories.

Talent Categories

*Please note, these categories will all perform in the BravO! Experience level only, regardless of the individual or group experience level.

Monologue/Acting

A Monologue is a speech in the dramatic or poetic form performed by one person speaking his or her thoughts aloud directly to the audience. Monologues can only be performed by a soloist. The acting category may be entered with any number of performers and should consist of acting out a scene from a play, movie, television show, commercial, or novel. The scene can also be original but must be formatted in the same manner as a standard script.

The acting category may be entered with any number of performers and should consist of acting out a scene from a play, movie, television show, commercial, or novel. The scene can also be original but must be formatted in the same manner as a standard script.

Song & Dance

Must contain both singing and any listed category of dancing. All performers will be judged on both singing and dancing. There must be no other lead vocals anywhere on the routine track. Up to two handheld, wireless microphones will be available for your use. If you require additional microphones, you must contact BravO! at least two weeks in advance to make arrangements with the Technical Director.

Vocal

Routine may be any type of vocal presentation. No lead vocals will be permitted on music accompaniment. Backup vocals are allowed. Up to two handheld, wireless microphones will be available for your use. If you require additional microphones, you must contact BravO! at least two weeks in advance to make arrangements with the Technical Director.

Gymnastic/Acrobatic Tricks

BravO! defines a ‘trick’ as movements that pass through or stop at a fully inverted (upside-down) position with both feet off the floor (the torso passing or stopping directly over the top of one’s head/shoulders). BravO! will allow ONLY the following exceptions to the above trick definition: Handstands, walkovers (non-aerial), shoulder rolls, cartwheels, and lifts. These 5 movements can be performed in any category without deduction and will not be counted as a trick. A gymnastic pass is considered one trick.

The following categories cannot contain any gymnastic/acrobatic tricks:

• Ballet, Pointe, & Modern

The following categories can only contain up to three gymnastic/acrobatic tricks:

• Jazz, Tap, Lyrical, Contemporary, & Clogging

Please note, a one-point deduction per judge will be made for any routine that does not follow these specific rules.

Regional Title Competition

BravO! hosts a Title Competition at each regional. Only solos in the BravO! level of competition are eligible to enter the Title Competition. This category will be incorporated into the standard solo competition and scored/judged on a separate score sheet from adjudication. Please click here for scoring procedures. Vocal, Song & Dance, and Monologue/Acting entries are not eligible. To enter the Title Competition, please check the ‘Title’ box when registering the solo routine. BravO! accepts Title Entries at the event. When entering at the door, you must do so at least 1 hour prior to the performance time. You may only enter a maximum of three solos per individual in the Title Competition. Previous years’ winners are eligible to re-compete, even if they are in the same age division unless they are the National Title Winner for that age division. All participants will be judged for Title during their regular solo routine.

Each female Title Winner will receive a certificate for a free regional title entry for the following season (a $35 value), trophy, sash, and crown. Each male Title Winner will receive a certificate for a free regional title entry for the following season (a $35 value), plaque, hat, and winning certificate.

Props

The placement and removal of props are the sole responsibility of the studio. Props must be freestanding. Scenery or backdrops requiring the use of theater fly bars or special lighting may not be used. If the stage is littered during a routine (for example petals, leaves, etc.), please be prepared to clean it immediately after the routine is finished. In addition, for safety measures, choreography that allows any dancer to be physically placed more than 6 feet off the ground of any scenic piece or prop could be considered hazardous. Though the 6-foot height is only a benchmark, BravO! Reserves the right to disqualify any routine that it deems unsafe or that is not in line with the company, state, and local regulations. Please see a stage manager upon arrival to discuss props prior to unloading. If a prop is brought onto the stage without prior approval, the routine will be subject to disqualification.

Prop Restrictions

• Fire, swords, knives, and guns are strictly prohibited, including prop version of the      aforementioned.
• Fog and/or smoke are not permitted.
• Live animals are not permitted.
• The use of helium balloons will be at the discretion of the theatre staff, not the BravO! Staff. If the theatre staff allows the use of helium balloons, they must be attached to a weight to ensure they will not float into the lights, causing a possible fire hazard.
• No form of liquid, glitter, gel, aerosol, powder, etc. may be used. This is to protect the dance surface and ensure safety for all dancers.
• If the stage is littered during a routine, please be prepared to clean it immediately after the routine is finished.

Please be mindful that the stage and dance floor are a shared space and use forethought when planning for the use of props. If your props are large, difficult to construct, or require special assistance, please discuss this at least 2 weeks prior to the competition with a BravO! staff member.

Competition Music

All competition music must be uploaded to your online account. The deadline for music upload will be the Monday 2 weeks prior to the competition start date. Dance Comp Genie’s music upload feature currently only supports .mp3 files. If your music is in a different file format, you will need to convert the files prior to upload. This can be done using an online file converter, such as this one. All music must be recorded at your desired speed and cut into one playable track per routine. Track speed WILL NOT be adjusted and multiple tracks are not permitted for one routine. CDs are the only acceptable form of backup allowed at BravO!. Flash Drives, iPods, iPads, iPhones, Tablets, mobile devices, etc. will not be accepted.

BravO! is not responsible for improper playback of music resulting from poor quality music files or CDs brought to the competition in poor condition or incorrect uploads. Please be sure your back CDs are of adequate quality if/when brought to the Emcee. BravO! is not responsible for music left at the venue after the event. It will be left with the house staff.

Leo’s Pride is a project near and dear to BravO!’s heart. Named after BravO! owner’s son Leo, this category is all about showcasing the talent and heart of our special needs and equally abled competitors. Routines placed in this adaptive (Leo’s Pride) category will be scored according to Overture! level guidelines, regardless of the average level or age of all the dancer’s placed within the routine. Routines placed in Leo’s Pride will also be scheduled nearest to the corresponding O!wards time, as a convenience to performers and their families. In addition, adjudication and special judge’s awards will be announced at the start of every ceremony for these routines. Adaptive routines may compete in any of the size groups from solo to line but will not be eligible in the standard O!verture overalls as it is a separate entry type from Dance or Talent. For questions or details on how to enter a routine in Leo’s Pride, please call our offices to speak with a BravO! Representative. 

Please Note: Registration in this category is voluntary and does not have any bearing on the dancers being placed in other standard routines with different leveling placement