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.

ALL SCORES ARE FINAL
Tie Breakers for Overall Awards will be determined using the total score for Style/Execution.

DEDUCTIONS:
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. 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 deduction.

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 throttle the volume of our competition to create the best experience possible.

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 9am on the Friday of a Monsters A-List event. The remaining groups, lines and productions will compete on Saturday beginning at 4pm. *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 may 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 desk.

• 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: $185 | Reg: $205

Time Limit: 2:30 Please note dancers may only compete one solo per event.

Duo/Trio | Early: $95 | Reg: $105

Time Limit: 2:30

Small Group (4-9 Dancers) | Early: $80 | Reg: $90

Time Limit: 3:00

Large Group (10-16 dancers) | Early: $80 | Reg: $90

Time Limit: 3:00

Line (17-24 dancers) | Early: $80 | Reg: $90

Time Limit: 4:00

Production (25+ dancers) | Early: $80 | Reg: $90 | 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 $30 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.

JUDGES’ SCORECARD

Each judge scores all four categories, for a possible 100 points per judge. With three judges on the panel, every routine receives a combined score out of 300 points. Those totals determine our adjudicated awards:

Monster — 291 to 300 points
Beast — 280 to 290 points
Next Gen — 265 to 279 points
On The Rise — 250 to 264 points

JUDGES’ BREAKDOWN

• Technical Execution: This category looks at precision, control, musicality, spacing, timing, and overall cleanliness. How well do the dancers execute the movement vocabulary? Technical Execution is worth 30 points.

• Choreographic Execution: This focuses on structure, creativity, transitions, formations, originality, and how clearly the choreography communicates its ideas. Choreographic Execution is also worth 30 points.

• Performance: This is where presence takes center stage. Energy, confidence, projection, emotional connection, and commitment to the movement all live here. Performance is worth 20 points.

• Overall Impression: This is the big picture. Impact, cohesion, artistry, and how the piece resonates as a complete work. Overall Impression is worth 20 points.

PLACEMENT AWARDS

• Only first, second and third place will be awarded in each age division and category.

• The 3 highest scoring overall routines in both 12/under and 13/over divisions will receive a discount toward The Monsters Finale.

• All dancers competing in a Monsters A-List event will receive a commemorative adjudication award.

JUDGES’ CHOICE AWARDS

• ONE TO WATCH AWARD: This is awarded at the judges’ discretion.

• ENTERTAINMENT AWARD: The most entertaining or show-stopping routine of the entire competition given at the judges’ discretion.

• CHOREOGRAPHY AWARD: The most creative and versatile choreography will be recognized at the judges discretion.

*All 3 Judges’ Choice Awards are invited re-perform their winning routine during the event’s closing ceremony.

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.

• All payments must be received 21 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.