OFFSTAGE Dance Competition

Community Group Rules & Regulations
1. Category Definition: Community Group
A Community Group is a non-professional, locally based dance organisation that provides dance opportunities without formal vocational accreditation.

To enter the Community Group category, your group must meet the following criteria:
Community Groups must:

• Be a local, non-professional dance group, school, academy, company, crew or community organisation

• Offer part-time training outside of school, college or work hours

• Be open and inclusive to dancers of different experience levels

• Welcome dancers of all ages, depending on the age category entered

• Operate within a local area or community setting

• Focus on performance, outreach, recreational dance or competitive training

• Have dancers who are non-professional and not paid performers
   

Community Groups must not:

• Be affiliated with a full-time professional dance school, college or vocational training institution

• Offer accredited diplomas, qualifications or full-time vocational training

• Enter dancers who are currently training full-time at a professional or pre-vocational dance institution

• Enter dancers as professionals or paid performers

• OFFSTAGE reserves the right to move, refuse or disqualify any entry that does not meet the Community Group criteria.
   

2. Age Categories
Groups must enter the correct age category based on the age of the dancers performing.
Age categories:
Under 10
For dancers aged 9 and under
Under 14
For dancers aged 13 and under
Under 18
For dancers aged 17 and under
18+
For dancers aged 18 and over
Where a group includes dancers from mixed ages, the group must enter the category of the oldest dancer performing.
OFFSTAGE may request proof of age at any stage of the competition.
3. Performance Expectations
All performances should be prepared to a high standard and suitable for a live audience.
Judges will be looking for groups who can:
Show strong technique in their chosen dance style
Demonstrate musicality and timing
Perform with confidence, energy and focus
Use levels, space and formations creatively
Show clear stage presence and performance quality
Tell a story or communicate a clear concept, theme or mood
Show originality and identity through choreography
Work together as a team with strong synchronicity
4. Judging Criteria
Both video submissions and live performances will be judged using the following criteria:
Execution
Accuracy, control, timing, clarity of movement and overall delivery
Technique
Quality of dance training, strength, alignment, control, flexibility, coordination and style-specific skill
Choreographic Identity
How clearly the routine reflects the group’s style, personality and creative direction
Synchronicity
How well dancers perform together, including timing, spacing and group unity
Creativity & Originality
Original movement ideas, creative staging, fresh concepts and unique interpretation
Musicality
Connection to the music, rhythm, accents, dynamics and phrasing
Performance Skills
Facial expression, stage presence, confidence, energy, projection and commitment
Use of Space & Stagecraft
Creative use of the stage, formations, transitions, levels and positioning
Concept & Theme
How clearly the performance communicates a story, message, mood or idea
Energy, Focus & Confidence
The overall commitment, presence and performance impact of the group
All decisions made by the judging panel are final.
5. Judging Panel
A panel of experienced and unaffiliated judges will score each performance.
Judges will not score any group where there is a direct conflict of interest.
Judges may include professionals from the dance, performance, choreography, education or creative industries.
Feedback may be provided where possible, but this is not guaranteed.
6. Performance Regulations
All choreography must be suitable for a family-friendly event.
The following are not permitted:
Inappropriate gestures
Explicit or sexualised movement
Offensive language in music
Discriminatory, violent or hateful content
Unsafe choreography
Inappropriate costume choices
Props, staging or movement that may cause harm to performers, audience members or staff
Costumes must be age-appropriate and support the performance theme.
OFFSTAGE reserves the right to stop a performance, request changes, deduct marks or disqualify a group if the performance is deemed unsuitable.
7. Music Rules
All music must be clean and suitable for a family audience.
Music must not include:
Swearing
Offensive language
Explicit sexual references
Discriminatory language
Violent or harmful content
Groups are responsible for checking their music before submission and performance.
OFFSTAGE may request a clean version of music before the event.
8. Costume Rules
Costumes should support the theme and style of the performance.
Costumes must be:
Age-appropriate
Secure and safe to dance in
Suitable for a family-friendly audience
Respectful of the dancers and the performance context
Costumes must not include offensive slogans, explicit imagery or unsafe accessories.
9. Props and Stage Safety
Props may be used if they are safe, manageable and approved by OFFSTAGE.
Groups must notify OFFSTAGE in advance if they intend to use props.
Props must not:
Damage the stage
Create mess or debris
Involve liquids, glitter, powder, fire, smoke or sharp objects
Create a risk to performers, staff or the audience
All props must be cleared immediately after the performance.
OFFSTAGE reserves the right to refuse any prop on safety grounds.
10. Group Entry Rules
Each group must enter under the correct category and age division.
All dancers must be part of the group they are representing.
Dancers may not be substituted without prior approval from OFFSTAGE.
Group leaders are responsible for ensuring all dancers, parents and guardians understand the rules.
Any false information submitted may result in disqualification.
11. Video Submission Rules
Where video submissions are required, groups must submit a clear video of their routine by the stated deadline.
The video must show the full routine from start to finish.
Videos should clearly show all dancers.
Edited videos, promotional reels or highlight clips may not be accepted unless approved by OFFSTAGE.
The routine submitted should be the same or very similar to the routine performed live.
12. Live Performance Rules
Groups must arrive and check in at the required time.
Groups must be ready to perform when called.
Failure to arrive on time may result in marks being deducted or the group being unable to perform.
All dancers must remain respectful backstage, side stage and in audience areas.
Teachers, group leaders and chaperones are responsible for their dancers at all times.
13. Disqualification
A group may be disqualified if they:
Submit false information
Enter the wrong category knowingly
Use inappropriate choreography, music or costume
Ignore OFFSTAGE staff instructions
Act in an unsafe or disrespectful manner
Breach safeguarding or behaviour expectations
Use dancers who do not meet the Community Group criteria
Fail to comply with competition rules
OFFSTAGE reserves the right to make final decisions regarding eligibility, deductions and disqualification.
14. Conduct and Respect
OFFSTAGE is committed to creating a positive, inclusive and supportive environment.
All dancers, teachers, parents, guardians and audience members must behave respectfully towards:
Other performers
Teachers and group leaders
Judges
OFFSTAGE staff
Venue staff
Audience members
Bullying, intimidation, aggressive behaviour or poor sportsmanship will not be tolerated.
15. Safeguarding
Groups are responsible for ensuring appropriate supervision of all dancers.
Under 18s must be accompanied by a responsible adult, teacher, parent, guardian or chaperone.
Group leaders must ensure they have the correct permissions, emergency contacts and medical information for their dancers.
OFFSTAGE staff must be informed of any safeguarding concerns immediately.
16. Photography and Filming
Photography and filming rules will be confirmed by OFFSTAGE before the event.
By entering the competition, groups agree that OFFSTAGE may capture photo and video content for promotional use, unless otherwise stated in writing before the event.
Parents, guardians and group leaders are responsible for ensuring they have the correct permissions for dancers under 18.
17. Final Decision
OFFSTAGE reserves the right to update rules, amend categories, combine sections, refuse entries or disqualify groups where necessary.
The decision of OFFSTAGE and the judging panel is final.