How do our adjudicators score routines?
Dance is a performing art.
As dance competition providers, we are putting dance in the ‘competition’ arena of an art-form that does not include the same level of detailed criteria that most well-known sports do.
We acknowledge this can be both confusing & frustrating for teachers, performers & supporters.
The content of competition routines & the concepts and choices for dancers are creative decisions made by teachers & choreographers, to suit the dancers they teach and to showcase these dancers strongest skills.
This content includes choreography, costuming, staging, music choice, story-telling, difficulty of skills & technical training.
Adjudication of creative forms (including dance) is subjective.
Some FAQs we receive as event providers for dance comp adjudication includes….
What is the judging criteria?
Is it the choreography or the dancers technique being adjudicated?
Are the adjudicators looking more at technical ability or stage presence?
What happens if the adjudicator doesn't enjoy the dancers style, costume or music?
Although it is not possible to completely remove the element of subjectivity, to assist teachers & choreographers to create competition work & for dancers & supporters to have some criteria to refer to, we have put together a scoring system to be used at the competitions we event manage.
To develop & implement a stringent set of judging criteria would sadly remove the creative content & entertainment value that our dancers & choreographers find enjoyable & inspiring.
We hope that the new guidelines we are providing will be a helpful tool for providing some clarity & guidance while leaving the door open for the creativity & theatrics our dance community loves.
STARDOM PRODUCTIONS SCORING SYSTEM
Technical Ability 35%
- Degree of difficulty of skills incorporated for age & genre (turns, leaps, kicks, floor work, etc)
- Execution of skills & choreography (sharp/precise footwork, clean lines, finishing every movement, stretched knees & feet, etc).
- Attention to be given to components of the routine which include detailed choreography focusing on co-ordination & musicality- not only ‘trick’ style skills.
- Flexibility | Co-ordination | Balance | Agility
- Posture | Stance | Weight Placement
- Stamina | Endurance |Breath
- Timing | Rhythm
- Dancers should be well-rehearsed and when dancing in a troupe should have well- synchronised timing & movement precision and clear spacing.
Performance Quality 35%
- Mesmerising stage presence & captivating expression
- Clear understanding & portrayal of content/ choreography/style
- Use of musicality & dynamics
- Contagious energy that fills the stage
- Fluid and effortless movement
- Engaging personality & ability to convey emotion through movement
- Interesting and inspiring interpretation of the music
- Captivating storytelling abilities & characterisation
- Seamless transitions between movements & patterns
- Maintaining admiral technical precision to align with performance quality
Staging/Choreography 20%
- Creative, original & dynamic choreography
- Age appropriate choreography including ability level, music choice, themes/concepts & overall presentation
- Use of levels, dynamics, story telling/thematic concepts
- Seamless transitions between movement blocks
- Well choreographed entrances & exits throughout routines
- Creative floor patterns which utilise the entire stage
- For troupes, use of interesting formations & patterns of the dancers.
- Tricks (including acrobatics, lifts & repetitive shows of flexibility or turn sequences) should be used as highlights- not as majority of choreography other than in the Acro Dance sections.
Costuming/Props & Presentation 10%
- Appropriateness of costume choice (age , genre & theme)
- If using props, be clear on their purpose and integration within the routine. Handling of props should be well-rehearsed & stage cleared at end of performance by the dancer/s.
- Polished level of grooming of dancer/s.
- Avoid wardrobe malfunctions at all costs
- Appropriate footwear should be selected for each individual genre