a-list competition.

PERFORMANCE GENRE

The Monsters A-List Competition is a singular genre. Commercial Hip Hop (or New School) is welcome, but versatility is encouraged (e.g. street jazz, house, funk styles, etc).

Routines can incorporate commercial dance styles, including various forms of hip hop dance, contemporary, jazz, lyrical, acrobatics, etc., however, at least one style of hip hop dance* (e.g. street jazz, house, funk styles, etc) must be included.

*Hip hop dance refers to dance styles, mainly street dance styles, primarily danced to hip hop music, or that have evolved as a part of the hip hop culture.

AGE DIVISIONS

• 8 and under

• 9-12

• 13-16

• 17 and older

*The average age of dancer(s) is calculated at the day of the event. Dancers must be able to provide proof of age if requested.

To determine the average age of an entry, add all ages together and divide by the number of dancers in the routine and drop the decimal point. For example, after adding all ages you receive 15.8, drop .8 and your routine will compete in the 13-16 age division.

JUDGING CRITERIA

At Monsters A-List Competition all routines will be judged and given feedback from our distinguished panel of Faculty Judges. Our scoring is done on a point scale, by 3 judges. Each judge can score up to 100 points.

• Style/Execution | 25 points

• Staging/Formations | 25 points

• Choreography/Musicality | 25 points

• Overall Impression (appearance, performance, crowd appeal) | 25 points

*ALL SCORES ARE FINAL

*Tie Breakers for Overall Awards will be determined using the total score for Style/Execution.

POINT DEDUCTIONS/DISQUALIFICATIONS:

At Monsters events, we appreciate the wide range of personal expression and creativity offered by different styles and choreography. While we do not wish to stifle anyone’s artistic voice, the Monsters A-List competition is a family event, and routines deemed inappropriate will be penalized. A total of 15 points will be deducted from any routine that the judges find not to be ‘family friendly.’ Disqualification is at the judge’s discretion.

• Unedited music- profanity, explicit lyrics, content or is not age appropriate.

• Movement or costuming that is not age appropriate.

• Incorrect routine roster at the start of competition that affects changes in category will result in a 10-point deduction.

*Routines that received a point deduction may not be eligible for the “Overall Awards” and “Judges Choice Awards”

New to competing? NO PROBLEM. All dancers and groups are welcome - no invitation or qualification needed!

The Monsters A-List competition is great for the hungry dancer looking to grow, as well as the seasoned dancer looking to show off their skills for professional feedback and awards!

REGISTER TO COMPETE

• Simply add your routines to your event registration in your Monsters account.

• Dancers competing in an A-list event must be registered for the Convention.

• Secure your spot with a deposit.

• All competition fees are non-refundable, no exceptions.

*At each Monsters A-List event, we accept a total of 130 routines and a maximum of 50 solos. A maximum of one solo per dancer is enforced.

EVENT SCHEULDE

• We aim to release a tentative competition schedule two weeks prior to the event. A confirmed competition schedule will be posted on Wednesday prior to the event commencement. 

• Solo, duo/trios and some small groups may start as early as 2pm on the Friday of a Monsters A-List event. The remaining groups, lines and productions will compete on Saturday beginning at 5pm. *Schedule is subject to change

DRESSING ROOMS

• Monsters will provide a Male, Female and Gender-Neutral dressing room at all A-list events.

• A “Quick Change” area will also be provided for dancers at A-List events.

• Dressing rooms are NOT to be used as rehearsal space.

• No photography or video taping is allowed in the dressing rooms.

BACKSTAGE CHECK-IN

• Dancers must check in 30 minutes prior to their scheduled performance time at the competition check-in station.

• Once dancers have checked- in they will proceed to the “Holding Room” where an A- Team member will escort them backstage.

• If it is determined at check-in that the number of dancers checking in differs from the number of dancers registered to perform, amendments will be made to your routine and where those amendments result in additional fees, the card on file will be charged to settle any balance due.

CATEGORIES

Solo* | Early: $180 | Reg: $200 | Time Limit: 2:30. one solo per dancer

Duo/Trio* | Early: $95 | Reg: $105 | Time Limit: 2:30

Small Group* (4-9 Dancers) | Early: $75 | Reg: $85 | Time Limit: 3:00

Large Group* (10-16 dancers) | Early: $75 | Reg: $85 | Time Limit: 3:00

Line* (17-24 dancers) | Early: $75 | Reg: $85 | Time Limit: 4:00

Production* (25+ dancers) | Early: $75 | Reg: $85 | Time Limit: 5:00

MUSIC REQUIREMENTS/ADDITIONAL FEES

• All music MUST be uploaded 2 weeks prior to the event.

• Please bring a backup of all music on a USB/Flash drive.

• Where routines exceed time limits, overage fees are charged at $5 per dancer, per additional 30 seconds. These are applied to your Monsters account and payment must be paid prior to registration packet collection.

• All routines are subject to a $20 late change fee when additions and changes (including adding routines, music submission, addition/removal of dancers to groups) when changes are made within two weeks of event commencement.

PLACEMENT AWARDS

• Only 1 st , 2 nd , and 3 rd place will be awarded in each age division and category.

• The 3 highest scoring overall Solo/Duo/Trio and the 3 highest scoring overall Group/Line/Production overall routines will be awarded a cash credit to compete their routines at our Summer Finale.

• Tie Breakers for Overall Awards will be determined using the total score for Style/Execution.

• At the end of each event, we will post on our website the Top 10 placements in each age division and category.

• All dancers competing in a Monsters A-List event will receive a commemorative gift to recognize their achievements.

JUDGES’ CHOICE AWARDS

• GOLDEN TICKET AWARD: This is awarded to the judges’ overall favorite piece of the weekend and is left up to the judges’ discretion! Winners receive a free routine entry fee for their winning routine at the Summer Finale!

• ENTERTAINMENT AWARD: The most entertaining or show-stopping routine of the entire competition will be awarded the Entertainment Award! Winners receive 50% off Summer Finale routine entry fee for their winning routine!

• CHOREOGRAPHY AWARD: This award recognizes the competition’s most creative and versatile choreographer. Winners receive 50% off Summer Finale routine entry fee for their winning routine!

*Golden Ticket, Choreography and Entertainment Award winners will be asked to re-perform their winning routine during the event’s closing ceremony. All competition routines are eligible to receive Judges’ Choice awards.

PROP USAGE AND STAGE ACCESS

• Please contact us by emailing info@monstersdance.com to advise of accessibility requirements for dancers with disabilities.

• Any props must be approved by our Monsters A-List team prior to use - please include prop details when registering routines in your online account, and contact us in advance to arrange prop storage for large props.

• Competitors have two (2) minutes prior to and following their routine to set/remove props. Judges will take excessive set-up or removal time into consideration when adjudicating, resulting in routines being deemed ineligible to receive placement.

• If the stage is ‘littered’ during a routine, competitors must be prepared to clean it up immediately after the routine is finished.

• The following items are prohibited: use of fire, weapons, alcohol or drug paraphernalia, fog machines and/or hazers, liquids or messy materials, powders, animals, etc.

• At no time can any person jump off stage or objects be thrown off stage.

SHOES ARE MANDATORY

• For the safety of all performers on the Monsters stage, footwear MUST be worn at all times. Performers will not be allowed on stage or permitted to compete in bare feet or socks.

OTHER POLICIES

• Flash photography during competition is not permitted.

• Cash, money orders, checks and credit cards will be accepted for your competition and/or convention registration fees. All payments must be received 30 days prior to the event in order to receive early rates.

• Checks must be received by Monsters no later than three weeks prior to the event of commencement.

Didn't compete at a regional A-List event? NO PROBLEM. Compete ANY routine at our Summer Finale (no pre-qualification necessary) - add your routines when registering for the Summer Finale convention! A total of 75 routines will be accepted at our Summer Finale event.

All Judge’s Choice award recipients at our regional events receive free/discounted entry to the Summer Finale competition!

Summer Finale competition includes cash prizes and MORE feedback from our professional Choreographer Judges!