Competition rules.

All entries for AcroDance Festival South Africa must be submitted through the official festival entry system before the published closing date.

• The registered studio owner or teacher is responsible for ensuring that all information submitted is correct.

• Dancers must be entered into the correct section, age division and status.

• Entry sizes are Solo (1 dancer), Duo (2 dancers), Trio (3 dancers), Quartet (4 dancers), Group (5–9 dancers), and Formation (10 or more dancers).

• The organisers reserve the right to query an entry where the selected section or status does not appear appropriate for the dancer's age or technical standard.

• Entries are regarded as confirmed only once the required entry fees have been received.

• Incomplete entries may not be included in the final programme.

• The organisers reserve the right to combine, divide or rearrange sections where necessary due to entry numbers or programme requirements.

• Once the programme has been finalised, changes will only be considered where there is a genuine administrative error.

• The studio owner or registered teacher remains the official point of contact for all entries from that studio.

Entry Fees

• Registration fee: R200 per dancer.

• Solo: R250 per item.

• Duo / Trio / Quartet: R180 per dancer.

• Group / Formation: R150 per dancer.

By submitting an entry, the studio acknowledges and accepts the official festival rules and regulations.

Teachers must enter each routine into the section that most accurately represents its choreography, technique, movement vocabulary and overall performance style.

• Acro Tech: A technical acrobatics section focused primarily on the dancer's acrobatic ability. Routines should demonstrate appropriate strength, flexibility, balances, limbering, tumbling, control, transitions and technical execution according to the dancer's status.
• AcroDance: A true fusion of dance and acrobatics. The routine should demonstrate approximately 50% dance and 50% acrobatic content, with acrobatic skills integrated naturally into the choreography rather than presented as isolated tricks.
• Modern Jazz: An energetic and rhythmically driven dance style combining strong modern dance technique with jazz movement vocabulary. Routines should demonstrate clear musicality, dynamics, sharpness or fluidity where appropriate, coordination, style and performance quality.
• Modern Lyrical: A fluid and expressive dance style in which movement is closely connected to the lyrics, emotion or musical interpretation. Routines should demonstrate controlled technique, line, flow, transitions, expression and meaningful interpretation of the music.
• Modern Contemporary: A technically based and expressive style incorporating contemporary movement vocabulary, floor work, use of weight, dynamics, suspension, release, unusual shapes and creative transitions. Choreography should demonstrate originality, movement quality and artistic interpretation.
• Showdance & Character: A performance-based section centred around a clear theme, story, concept or character. Routines may be dance-based or may include acrobatic content. Entertainment value, characterisation, choreography, presentation, technical execution and storytelling are important elements of this section.
• Open / Freestyle: For routines that genuinely combine styles or do not clearly fit into another festival section. This section allows greater stylistic freedom, but the routine should still demonstrate a clear concept, technical foundation, musicality and performance quality.
• Hip-Hop: A street-dance-based section incorporating appropriate Hip-Hop movement vocabulary, groove, rhythm, isolations, dynamics, musical interpretation, style and performance energy. The choreography should remain recognisably Hip-Hop in character.
• Tap: A rhythm-based section in which the dancer creates and interprets musical rhythms through tap technique. Judging may consider timing, clarity of sound, rhythm, footwork, musicality, technical accuracy and overall performance.
• Ballet - Classical / Neo-Classical: A ballet-based section requiring appropriate classical technique, posture, placement, line, turnout, control, musicality and presentation. Neo-Classical choreography may use more contemporary movement choices while maintaining a clear classical ballet foundation.

Where a routine contains elements from several genres, the teacher should select the section that best represents the dominant style of the choreography.

The Open / Freestyle section should not be used simply to avoid the technical or stylistic requirements of another clearly applicable section. The organisers reserve the right to query or reclassify an entry where the chosen section is clearly inappropriate.

Acro Tech

Age Divisions

• 5 years & under
• 6-7 years
• 8-9 years
• 10-12 years
• 13-15 years
• 16 years & over

Acro Tech Status

• Beginners 1: AcroTots and Level 1 standard.
• Beginners 2: Level 1 and Level 2 standard.
• Pre-Novice: Level 2 and Level 3 standard.
• Novice: Level 4 and Level 5 standard.
• Pre-Amateur: Level 6 and Level 7 standard.
• Amateur: Level 8 and Level 9 standard.
• Pre-Champs: Level 9 and above.
• Championships: Level 9 and above.

Important: Beginners 1 and Beginners 2 in Acro Tech are restricted to dancers aged 10 years and under. The Acro Tech technical-level guide is used to assist teachers in selecting the correct competition status.

AcroDance

Age Divisions

• 5 years & under
• 6-7 years
• 8-9 years
• 10-12 years
• 13-15 years
• 16 years & over

Status

• Beginners 1
• Beginners 2
• Pre-Novice
• Novice
• Pre-Amateur
• Amateur
• Pre-Champs
• Championships

There is no prescribed syllabus-level requirement for AcroDance status. The registered teacher must select the status that best reflects the dancer's current competition standard.

Modern Jazz

Age Divisions

• 5 years & under
• 6-7 years
• 8-9 years
• 10-12 years
• 13-15 years
• 16 years & over

Status

• Beginners 1
• Beginners 2
• Pre-Novice
• Novice
• Pre-Amateur
• Amateur
• Pre-Champs
• Championships

There is no prescribed syllabus-level requirement. The teacher selects the status that best reflects the dancer's competition standard.

Modern Lyrical

Age Divisions

• 5 years & under
• 6-7 years
• 8-9 years
• 10-12 years
• 13-15 years
• 16 years & over

Status

• Beginners 1
• Beginners 2
• Pre-Novice
• Novice
• Pre-Amateur
• Amateur
• Pre-Champs
• Championships

There is no prescribed syllabus-level requirement. The teacher selects the status that best reflects the dancer's competition standard.

Modern Contemporary

Age Divisions

• 5 years & under
• 6-7 years
• 8-9 years
• 10-12 years
• 13-15 years
• 16 years & over

Status

• Beginners 1
• Beginners 2
• Pre-Novice
• Novice
• Pre-Amateur
• Amateur
• Pre-Champs
• Championships

There is no prescribed syllabus-level requirement. The teacher selects the status that best reflects the dancer's competition standard.

Showdance & Character

Age Divisions

• 5 years & under
• 6-7 years
• 8-9 years
• 10-12 years
• 13-15 years
• 16 years & over

Status

• Beginners 1
• Beginners 2
• Pre-Novice
• Novice
• Pre-Amateur
• Amateur
• Pre-Champs
• Championships

There is no prescribed syllabus-level requirement. The teacher selects the status that best reflects the dancer's competition standard.

Open / Freestyle

Age Divisions

• 5 years & under
• 6-7 years
• 8-9 years
• 10-12 years
• 13-15 years
• 16 years & over

Status

• Beginners 1
• Beginners 2
• Pre-Novice
• Novice
• Pre-Amateur
• Amateur
• Pre-Champs
• Championships

There is no prescribed syllabus-level requirement. The teacher selects the status that best reflects the dancer's competition standard.

Hip-Hop

Age Divisions

• 5 years & under
• 6-7 years
• 8-9 years
• 10-12 years
• 13-15 years
• 16 years & over

Status

• Beginners 1
• Beginners 2
• Pre-Novice
• Novice
• Pre-Amateur
• Amateur
• Pre-Champs
• Championships

There is no prescribed syllabus-level requirement. The teacher selects the status that best reflects the dancer's competition standard.

Tap

Age Divisions

• 5 years & under
• 6-7 years
• 8-9 years
• 10-12 years
• 13-15 years
• 16 years & over

Status

• Beginners 1
• Beginners 2
• Pre-Novice
• Novice
• Pre-Amateur
• Amateur
• Pre-Champs
• Championships

There is no prescribed syllabus-level requirement. The teacher selects the status that best reflects the dancer's competition standard.

Ballet - Classical / Neo-Classical

Age Divisions

• 5 years & under
• 6-7 years
• 8-9 years
• 10-12 years
• 13-15 years
• 16 years & over

Status

• Beginners 1
• Beginners 2
• Pre-Novice
• Novice
• Pre-Amateur
• Amateur
• Pre-Champs
• Championships

There is no prescribed syllabus-level requirement. The teacher selects the status that best reflects the dancer's competition standard.

Status Selection

For all sections other than Acro Tech, status is based on the dancer's current competition standard rather than a prescribed examination or syllabus level. The registered teacher is responsible for selecting the most appropriate status for each dancer.

Acro Tech Solo Time Limits

• Beginners 1 & Beginners 2: maximum 2:15 minutes.
• Pre-Novice & Novice: maximum 3:00 minutes.
• Pre-Amateur & Amateur: maximum 3:30 minutes.
• Pre-Champs & Championships: maximum 4:00 minutes.

Other Entry Time Limits

• AcroDance Solo: maximum 2:15 minutes.
• All other Solo sections: maximum 2:00 minutes.
• Duo / Trio: maximum 2:30 minutes.
• Groups: maximum 4:00 minutes.

Music Rules

• Music must be age-appropriate and suitable for the section entered.
• Explicit, offensive or inappropriate lyrics are not permitted.
• Music must be properly edited and competition-ready.
• Music must remain within the applicable time limit.
• The correct music must be uploaded for each item through the official competition entry portal.
• The registered studio or teacher is responsible for confirming that the correct music has been uploaded.
• Teachers must keep a backup copy of all competition music available at the festival.
• The organisers cannot accept responsibility where an incorrect music file has been submitted by the studio.
• Music exceeding the applicable time limit may be stopped or may result in a penalty at the discretion of the adjudicator or festival organisers.

AcroDance is a fusion of dance technique and acrobatic technique. The routine should demonstrate a genuine integration of both disciplines rather than presenting a dance routine with isolated tricks added to it.

AcroDance is adjudicated on approximately 50% Dance and 50% Acro.

Dance content may include:

• Technical dance movement.
• Musicality and rhythm.
• Transitions.
• Choreographic structure.
• Use of space.
• Artistry and expression.
• Performance quality.

Acrobatic content may include:

• Flexibility and contortion.
• Balances.
• Strength elements.
• Limbering.
• Tumbling.
• Travelling acrobatic skills.
• Connected acrobatic sequences.

Acrobatic elements should flow naturally into and out of the choreography. Repeated preparation, unnecessary pauses or disconnected gymnastics passes may negatively affect the overall impression of the routine.

Difficulty should always be appropriate to the dancer's ability. Clean execution and control are valued above unsafe or poorly executed higher-level skills.

Acro Tech is the festival's technical acrobatics section and places greater emphasis on the dancer's acrobatic vocabulary and technical ability.

Routines should demonstrate an appropriate combination of technical elements for the dancer's selected status.

Adjudicators may consider:

• Technical execution.
• Body alignment and placement.
• Strength and control.
• Flexibility and contortion.
• Balance.
• Limbering.
• Tumbling technique.
• Height, flight and dynamics where applicable.
• Difficulty relative to the dancer's status.
• Connections and transitions between skills.
• Variety of technical content.
• Confidence and overall presentation.

Difficulty alone does not guarantee a higher mark. An advanced skill performed with poor technique, instability or lack of control may score lower than a technically secure skill of appropriate difficulty.

Teachers are responsible for ensuring that skills presented are safe and appropriate for the dancer's training and current technical ability.

Modern Jazz, Modern Lyrical and Modern Contemporary routines must clearly reflect the movement qualities and technical characteristics of the section entered.

A maximum of 3 acrobatic tricks is permitted in these dance sections.

The dance genre must remain the dominant element of the routine. Acrobatic tricks should complement the choreography rather than turning the routine into an AcroDance item.

Judging may include:

• Dance technique.
• Posture, alignment and placement.
• Musicality.
• Dynamics and movement quality.
• Transitions.
• Choreography and use of space.
• Style-specific vocabulary.
• Artistry, expression and interpretation.
• Performance quality.

If the acrobatic content dominates the routine, the item should be entered into AcroDance rather than a Modern, Jazz, Lyrical or Contemporary section.

Showdance & Character routines should present a clear concept, theme, story or character and should demonstrate strong entertainment and performance value.

These routines may be predominantly dance-based or may incorporate acrobatic content where appropriate to the concept.

Adjudicators may consider choreography, storytelling, characterisation, musical interpretation, technical execution, originality, presentation and overall entertainment value.

Open / Freestyle is intended for routines that do not fit clearly into another defined festival section or that deliberately combine multiple styles.

A routine that clearly meets the description of another existing section may be moved or queried by the organisers.

Ballet - Classical / Neo-Classical

Routines must demonstrate appropriate classical or neo-classical technique, posture, line, placement, musicality and presentation. The choreography should remain recognisably ballet-based.

Tap

Tap routines will be assessed on timing, rhythm, clarity of sound, footwork, musicality, technical accuracy and overall performance.

Hip-Hop

Hip-Hop routines should demonstrate appropriate style, rhythm, dynamics, musical interpretation, movement quality, choreography and performance energy.

Teachers are responsible for ensuring that the choreography entered accurately reflects the selected genre.

Costumes, themes, choreography and presentation must be age-appropriate and suitable for a family festival environment.

Stage Entry and Exit

Each routine is allowed a maximum total of 30 seconds to enter the performance area and exit the performance area. This time includes the placement and removal of any props used in the routine.

Props

• Props must be small, light and manageable.
• Dancers must be able to carry, place and remove their own props without assistance.
• Props must not require assembly, complicated setup or additional stage crew.
• All props must be placed and removed within the routine's total 30-second entry and exit allowance.
• Props must be safe and suitable for use on the performance surface.
• Festival officials and staff are not responsible for carrying, positioning, assembling or removing props.
• No open flames are permitted.
• No liquids, powders, confetti, glitter or loose substances that may create a slippery or unsafe surface are permitted.
• No sharp, dangerous or breakable items may be used.
• Props must not damage or mark the stage, floor or venue.

The organisers reserve the right to refuse any prop considered too large, heavy, unsafe or impractical for the festival environment.

• Dancers must check in approximately one hour before their scheduled session.
• Dancers should be fully prepared and ready to perform well before their item is called.
• Competitors must report backstage when instructed by festival officials.
• The registered teacher is responsible for ensuring dancers are present and ready at the appropriate time.
• A competitor who is not available when called may lose their scheduled position in the programme.
• The organisers will accommodate genuine programme or costume-change difficulties where reasonably possible, but this must be communicated to an official in advance.
• Dancers may warm up only in the designated warm-up area.
• Only competitors, registered teachers and authorised festival personnel may enter restricted backstage and warm-up areas.
• Backstage areas must remain quiet and organised so that performers can prepare without unnecessary disruption.

All dancers, teachers, parents and spectators are expected to contribute to a respectful and professional festival environment.

• No photography or video recording of performances is permitted.
• Mobile phones must be switched to silent during performances.
• No prompting, counting, coaching or signalling may take place from the audience.
• Spectators should not enter, leave or walk through the hall while a competitor is performing.
• Audience members must follow the instructions of festival officials and venue staff.
• Respectful behaviour toward dancers, teachers, adjudicators, officials and other studios is required at all times.
• Abusive, intimidating, disruptive or unsportsmanlike behaviour will not be tolerated.
• Parents and dancers may not approach the adjudicator to discuss marks, results or another competitor.
• Any official query must be submitted through the registered studio owner or teacher.

The organisers reserve the right to remove any person whose behaviour disrupts the festival or compromises the safety or enjoyment of participants.

The adjudicator's decision is final.

Adjudication will take into account the requirements and technical characteristics of the section entered. Depending on the section, this may include technique, execution, musicality, choreography, difficulty, artistry, presentation and overall performance quality.

Festival Achievement Bands

• 70-74: Silver.
• 75-79: High Silver.
• 80-84: Gold.
• 85-89: High Gold.
• 90-94: Ultimate Gold.
• 95-100: Highest achievement category - official title to be confirmed.

• Adjudicators may withhold a placing or award where they believe the required standard has not been achieved.
• Parents and dancers may not challenge adjudicators directly.
• Administrative queries must be submitted by the registered studio representative.
• Where an administrative error has affected a result, the organisers reserve the right to correct the result.

Prize-giving will take place at the end of the relevant festival session unless otherwise announced.

• Dancers should remain available for prize-giving wherever possible.
• Approximately 10 Special Awards per session may be presented at the discretion of the adjudicator and festival organisers.
• Special Awards may recognise exceptional technique, artistry, musicality, choreography, performance quality, potential, stage presence or other outstanding qualities.
• A Special Award does not necessarily have to be awarded to the highest-scoring item in the session.
• Junior Dancer of the Festival and Senior Dancer of the Festival may be selected from eligible competitors.
• The Junior and Senior Dancer of the Festival recipients will receive the official AcroDance Festival Ambassador Jacket.
• Additional festival awards may be introduced where appropriate.

The organisers and adjudicators reserve the right not to present an award where the required standard or criteria have not been met.

Submission of an entry constitutes acceptance of the AcroDance Festival South Africa Rules & Regulations.

The registered studio owner or teacher accepts responsibility for ensuring that dancers, parents and relevant studio personnel are informed of the rules applicable to their participation.

The organisers reserve the right to make reasonable amendments to the programme or operational procedures where required for the safe and effective running of the festival.

Any significant amendment affecting participating studios will be communicated through the official festival communication channels.