RULES | Beyond The Stars

We continue to adjust our competition levels and rules in an attempt to give dancers the opportunity to compete with other dancers who have similar training.

Since NO competition can know how many hours of class a week each dancer takes, it’s up to the judgment of the studio director to choose competition levels for their dancers.

Every year you may need to adjust the level of each dancer before registering for a competition.

2024 RULES

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD OUR 2024 RULES PDF

REGISTRATION

All entries must register through a studio.
Studio directors determine the performance level of each dancer. Each routine’s level is determined by the level of the dancers registered.

PERFORMANCE LEVELS

The level of each routine is determined by the level of the dancers registered in the routine. Studio directors should use the following criteria to determine the level of each dancer but should also take into consideration the dancer’s overall ability. The level of each dancer may need to be adjusted each year prior to registering for a competition. Please take note that our judging panel also uses the following criteria to assess level placement.

Shining Star Division

At Beyond The Stars, we believe that dance should be an inclusive and welcoming place for everyone, of all abilities. Our Shining Star Division is geared toward dancers who have a physical, sensory, or mental disability. We will work with studio directors to provide a safe space for those dancers to perform/compete. Dancers registered in the Shining Stars Division will perform in the Shining Star level for their solo. In the case of dancers using an aide, the aide’s age and level will not be considered in determining the placement of the routine. Dancers will be recognized onstage during adjudications and are eligible for judges special awards. To be eligible for overall awards in the Shining Star Division, all performers in the routine must be registered as Shining Star dancers.

SHOOTING STAR DIVISION

This division is for beginner dancers who take 3 or less hours of dance per week and have very limited or no competition experience. A dancer in this division may compete in no more than 6 routines. Shooting Star dancers may compete in the Rising Star Division and Production Division.
Shooting Star dancers may compete only 1 solo. A well-executed Shooting Star level dancer has a simple and clean routine that they are executing with attention to musicality and performance quality. These performers are working on the basic understanding of the foundations of dance and with the execution of the technical elements in the routine. Difficulty in choreography is not necessarily something our judges are looking for at this level.

RISING STAR DIVISION

This division is for intermediate dancers who take 5 or less hours of dance per week and have limited competition experience. A dancer in this division may compete in no more than 8 routines. Rising Star dancers are eligible to compete in both the Shooting Star and All Star divisions.
Rising Star dancers may compete in no more than 2 solos. A true Rising Star dancer will have more simplistic choreography with less difficulty than an All Star dancer would have. A dancer at this level, should have a basic knowledge of their technique, and while every second of the routine won’t be executed flawlessly, our judges are looking for dancers who are becoming technically proficient, command the stage, and are invested in their performance. At this level, dancers should be above average in terms of their staging, musicality, and confidence, but still lack the technical soundness of an All Star level dancer.

ALL STAR DIVISION

This division is for advanced dancers who take 5 or more hours of dance per week or have extensive competition experience. All Star dancers may also compete in the Rising Star Division. All Star dancers may compete in an unlimited number of routines, but a maximum of 3 solos. Dancers who wish to compete for Title, be picked for our National Opening Number, and compete for cash awards MUST be in the All Star Division. Dancers at this level have difficulty in their choreography that they are able to execute confidently with correct technique. These dancers have a strong level of showmanship and are clean and polished. At this level, dancers are beginning to find their artistry, style, and creativity.

Correct level placement is necessary for maintaining a key factor in our company philosophy – a fair event. If the judges unanimously decide that a dancer is under-placed, a level advancement will occur and the dancer/routine will be moved to the appropriate level. If the overall has already happened, that performance will be for adjudication only. If the overall has not yet happened, then the routine will have the opportunity to re-compete at its correct level. If the level advancement recommendation is not unanimous, then the studio director will receive a level advancement card that serves as a recommendation for a level advancement of the particular dancer/group of dancers moving forward. Our judges are trained to provide consistency in their judging for all competitors at each event and monitoring that dancers are placed at their appropriate level is a significant part of a fair experience.

The decision of the judges is final!

ROUTINE PLACEMENT

Routines with the exact same dancers must compete in the same age division and level.

Solos – Dancers must compete in the level they are registered.

Duos/Trios – The most advanced dancer determines the level of the routine.

Small Groups, Large Groups & Lines – No more than 49% of the dancers may be from a higher level.

Productions – All Productions compete against each other in the Production Division. Awards are given in the

12 & Under and 13 & Over divisions.

PERFORMANCE CATEGORIES

Acro: Routine combining the artistry of dance technique along with the athleticism of acrobatic skills. Choreography must contain 50% dance technique.

Ballet: Routine consisting of classical ballet movement and technique.

Baton: Routine in which the dancer demonstrates a variety of twirling technique, such as fingerwork, rolls, and/or a variety of tosses and catches, that is coordinated with dance movements.

Character: Routine in which dancers must portray an easily recognizable character.

Clogging: Routine consisting of clogging technique and performed in clogging shoes.

Folk/Ethnic: Routine incorporating one or more ethnic styles of dance.

Musical Theatre: Routine choreographed to a song from a Broadway or movie musical. This form of dance strongly focuses on elements of performance quality, such as connecting with the audience, facial expressions, storytelling, and/or character portrayal.

Open: Routine consisting of more than one style of dance that does not easily fit into any other category.

Contemporary: Routine influenced by multiple styles of dance including jazz, modern, and lyrical. The movement is expressive, gestural, and unique in its dynamics.

Hip Hop: Routine consisting of mostly hip hop or street style moves characterized by bounces, rocks, krumping, popping, locking, breaking, etc. This style places emphasis on rhythmic isolations and strong musicality.

Jazz: Routine consisting of primarily jazz technique in which the movements traditionally mimic the sounds, rhythms, and syncopations of the music.

Lyrical: Routine that places an emphasis on expression and connection to the lyrics of a song.

Modern: Routine consisting of codified styles of modern dance technique, such as Graham, Taylor, Cunningham, Limón, Dunham, Duncan, and Horton.

Song and Dance: Routine consisting of singing and any style of dance. Music may only have backup voices. Performance will use the boundary microphones or one handheld microphone provided by Beyond The Stars.

Supplemental: Routine consisting of any dance style or any combination of styles. This category differs from the Open category in that it can be used for a secondary dance in a similar style to one already used.

Pointe: Routine containing pointe technique. At least 50% of the performers must be en pointe. This category is only available in the All Star Level. Dancers performing en pointe, even if in another category such as Open or Supplemental, will be moved to the All Star Level.

Pom: Routine consisting of pom squad dance technique, with an emphasis on precision, clean technique, and sharpness that incorporates elements of Jazz and Hip Hop.

Tap: Routine consisting of tap technique. No pre-recorded tap sounds are allowed. Use of pre-recorded tap sounds will result in a red card and 2-point deduction.

Vocal: Any type of vocal performance using one handheld microphone provided by Beyond The Stars. Accompaniment can only be instrumental. Vocal Routines will be eligible for adjudication only. Vocal solos are not counted towards a dancer’s level.

Only 3 acrobatic tricks are permitted in any performance category except Acro, Open, Character, Hip Hop, Pom, Supplemental, and Production. When a routine has 3 or more acro tricks, judges have the right to move the routine to the appropriate category.
An acro trick is considered anything where both feet pass over the head and body is airborne such as, but not limited to, back handsprings, back tucks, front/side aerials, etc. An acro pass is considered one trick. Headstands, walkovers, head cartwheels, kip ups, forward rolls, contemporary inversions, or headsprings are not considered acro tricks.
Soloists may not compete against themselves in the same performance category.
In a duo/trio, or group routine 50% of the performers must be different when competing in the same age and performance category.
Any dancer performing en pointe must be registered in the All Star Division.

TIME LIMITS

Solo

Duo/Trio

Small Group

Large Group

Line

Production

2:45 minutes

3 minutes

4 minutes

5 minutes

8 minutes

Extended time is available for purchase. Solos, duos, trios, small groups, and large groups may be extended by 1 minute. Lines and productions may be extended by a maximum of 5 minutes.

DIVISIONS

Solo

Duo/Trio

Small Group

Large Group

Line

Production

1 dancer

2-3 dancers

4-9 dancers

10-19 dancers

19+ dancers

20+ dancers

AGE DIVISIONS

Age Division is determined by the average age of performers.

Mini = 6 & Under || Petite = 7 – 9 || Junior = 10 -12 || Teen = 13 -15

Senior = 16 -19 || Adult = 20 & Over

If the average age of the group is 15.9, the entry will compete in the 15 year old age division.
Production age divisions are determined by the average age of performers, 12 & Under and 13 & Over.
A performer’s age is determined by their age as of January 1st, 2024. Studio directors must be prepared to present birth certificates should a protest arise.
Routines with an average age of 20 or older will perform in our Adult division and are not eligible for overall awards.
Routines may compete no more than 1 age division lower than the oldest dancer in the routine.
Example: Any entry with a dancer 16 years old, or older, may not compete in any age division lower than 13-15.
Any routine including a teacher is not eligible for overall awards. A teacher is someone who choreographs or teaches class and is 20 years of age or older. Entries with teachers in them may perform for adjudication only. This does not apply to student teachers 19 years old or younger.
Any person who is visible on stage once the routine has started, and prior to the end of the routine, will be considered a performer and is subject to age division and group size rules.

JUDGING GUIDELINES

Every performance will be critiqued according to the competition level, age, and category by a panel of 3 judges.
Each judge will use a 100-point scale and will consider technique, difficulty, execution, choreography, showmanship, and overall effect.
Performers who exit the stage prior to the end of their performance will not receive a score if the judges do not feel enough of the routine was completed. The performance is eligible to perform again for adjudication only.
Judges will also take into consideration whether routines are age appropriate and placed in the correct performance level. Dancers placed incorrectly will be moved up to the appropriate level regardless of whether the overall has already been given. The decisions of the judges are final. Each judge will give a verbal critique for every entry.
All entries will receive a Diamond, Platinum, High Gold, or Gold. Scores will be given to studio directors at the end of the competition.

A RED CARD will be given when a rule break occurs. Rule breaks include, but are not limited to; the use of illegal props (baby powder, liquid, glitter, hairspray, paint, confetti smaller than 1/2 inch, fog machines, and/or strobe lights), offensive music, prop assembly exceeding a timely fashion and/or extensive clean up. Judges are granted the right to Red Card any dance they deem necessary. A Red Card will result in an automatic 2-point deduction from the total score. The studio director will be notified when a dance is Red Carded.

A CONTENT AWARENESS note will be given to a studio director when a judge believes the content of a dance is offensive or culturally insensitive. Cultural or racial appropriation and over-sexualization for an age
division are examples that could receive a content awareness note. Content Awareness notes were created to give judges the opportunity to explain their point of view. There is no point deduction accompanying a content awareness note.

ADJUDICATION SCALE

291 - 300

279 - 290.9

267 - 278.9

255 - 266.9

Diamond

Platinum

High Gold

Gold

AWARDS

Every entry will receive an adjudicated award and 1 trophy. Dancers in duos/trios or groups will receive an award pin.
Entries must compete prior to their awards ceremony to be eligible for High Score Awards.
High Score Awards will be given in each competition level, age, and size division.
Soloists and duos/trios with identical dancers may only place with their highest scoring routine.
Top 3, Top 5 and Top 10 will be awarded based on the number of entries per age, size, and division.
Production Overall Awards will be presented in 12 & Under and 13 & Over Divisions.

Special Awards: Given at each awards ceremony at the discretion of the judges and competition directors.
Solo Standout Awards: Given at the discretion of the judges to soloists in a variety of categories; choreography, technique, etc.

Ultimate Awards: Given at the discretion of the judges to routines for a variety of achievements; choreography, artistry, musicality, emotional execution, precision, technique, etc.

Photogenic Award: Teachers should submit a 5×7 or 8×10 color or black and white photo with their name, age, and studio name on the back. The photogenic award will be given during the last group awards ceremony of the event. Photos must be picked up by the studio director at the end of the competition.

Title Awards: The first place dancer in each age division in the All Star level will be awarded “Beyond The Stars Regional Champion” and will receive a jacket. Title as an additional competition is only available at our National events, please refer to our National rules for more information.

Industry Dance Award Regional Nominees: Beyond The Stars is a proud sponsor of the Industry Dance Awards, a multi-competition & convention event and benefit show that helps raise money and awareness for Dancers Against Cancer. At each of our Regional Competitions, we will announce the Outstanding Regional Performances in the following categories: Jazz, Tap/Clogging, Acro/Ballet/Open, Musical Theatre, Hip Hop, Contemporary/Lyrical/Modern, and People’s Choice (which is a dance from any group competitive category hand-picked by the judges). To be eligible for a nomination, dancers must compete at the All Star 13 & Over Division in the categories listed above. All categories are chosen based on overall score with the exception of People’s Choice. At the end of the Regional season, BTS will select one performance in each category to be our National Outstanding Performances Nominee representing Beyond The Stars at the Industry Dance Awards.

The Shooting Star Award, The Rising Star Award, and The Stellar Award: Awarded to the highest scoring group routine in each performance level.

HIGH SCORE CASH AWARDS

All gift certificates/cash prizes will be awarded to the studio.
Gift certificates will be given to the first place High Score Award winners in the Shooting Star and Rising Star Division when there are 10 or more routines entered in that age and size.
Cash awards will be given to the first place High Score Award winners in the All Star Division & the Production Division when there are 10 or more that age and size.

PROPS

Props must be set up and removed within 3 minutes, productions may use 5 minutes. If your routine/prop includes anything that will litter the stage, studio representatives must be prepared to clean the stage in less than 2 minutes.
No baby powder, liquid, hairspray, paint, glitter, or anything that could leave a residue on the stage, may be used.
No material under 1/2 an inch may be used. (ex. glitter, confetti, shredded paper )
No dangerous props may be used. BTS reserves the right to veto a prop.
Do not throw props off of the front of the stage.
Use of any illegal prop will result in a Red Card and a 2-point deduction. The studio director will be notified when a dance is Red Carded.
NOTE: Due to health risks we do NOT allow fog/smoke machines or strobe lights to be used during any performances.
BTS reserves the right to limit prop size depending on facility requirements. Please contact our office with any specific prop questions.

MUSIC

Beyond The Stars is a family-friendly event. Music that is offensive, demeaning, intentionally derogatory, or threatening will not be tolerated and is subject to a red card with a point deduction or disqualification as determined by the judging panel. Music containing realistic gunfire, which may cause panic, is not permitted.
Any music in question will be pulled and listened to by the panel and competition director to determine if a point deduction or disqualification will occur. This particularly pertains to music in which slurs or derogatory language are not fully edited.
All music must be uploaded at least 1 week prior to the event. All music that has not been uploaded must be turned in at the Audio Booth at least 30 minutes prior to your studio’s first routine. BTS will accept Flash Drives; no iPods or CDs accepted.
If submitting a Flash Drive, please label it with your studio name. Each file should be labeled with the 3-digit entry # and routine name. (Example: 001 Cell Block Tango, 029 Dear Future Husband, 311 I Have Nothing)
Please note that audio files are accepted in MP3 & M4A format only, up to 50 MB each. We recommend an MP3 format.
Back-up music must be provided on a flash drive and must be picked up onsite. Beyond The Stars cannot guarantee any of these items will be available to be mailed back to the studio after the competition. There will be a $10 fee for any items that need to be shipped.
BTS does not allow any additional microphones or equipment to be plugged into our sound system. If the music stops for any reason, the dancers will be given the opportunity to re-perform without penalty.
NOTE: BTS will not stop a performance for a music issue, that decision is left up to the director’s discretion. Beyond The Stars will only tell dancers to stop performing when there is a costume malfunction. That routine may re-perform without penalty.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Only studio directors may question routines for rule infractions, however, any protest must be made in writing to the competition director within 30 minutes of the performance.
In the event of a costume malfunction, it is our policy to prioritize the safety of the dancers who take our stage.
If there is any indecent exposure onstage, meaning that a costume malfunctions in a way that compromises the modesty of the dancer, our team is trained to stop the music and ask the dancer to exit the stage. In this instance, the dancer will be allowed to perform again with no penalty. This does not include instances in which a dancer experiences a strap breakage while remaining fully covered, an accessory detaches without affecting the costume's integrity, or a layer comes off, leaving the dancer still adequately covered.
Deposit payments and competition fees are non-refundable.
Changes made to registration after the final schedule has been released will incur a $10 change fee, except in cases where an injury is involved.
All contestants, teachers, and parents attending a Beyond The Stars Competition give permission for any photographs or videos taken during the competition to be used to promote future events.
Coaching from the wings or audience is not allowed at any time throughout a performance. Doing so will result in a red card with a 2-point deduction.
For safety reasons, dancers may not jump off the front of the stage or approach the judges table.
Except when there is a technical difficulty, any re-performance of a routine will be for adjudication only.
There will be a $50 fee for all checks returned by the bank.
BTS reserves the right to refuse entry to any studio.
Studio directors must sign a release form.