Regulations
Play it right
The movers bring the performance. The makers bring the vision. These are the commitments that give both room to shine.
Music
Your track is part of your work. Send the finished version so what we hear is what you created.
Hand it in 7 days early
Every routine's music must be in our hands 7 days before the event.
Make the final cut
Submit the finished track, edited from the first sound to the last. Your file should play exactly as you want the routine performed.
Choose lyrics with care
Our directors and judging panel review music for suggestive or explicit language. Unsuitable tracks may lead to score deductions or disqualification.
Bring a compatible USB
Use a USB drive compatible with Mac OS X. We accept AIFF, MP3, WAV, MPEG-4 and AIFF-C audio files.
Match the title, exactly
Give the audio file the exact title used for the routine in your registration. Leave out routine numbers and dancer names.
Keep a backup. Collect your USB.
Phones and external hard drives can supply backup music only. Collect your USB before leaving the competition; drives left behind will be discarded.
Scheduling
From the first registration to the final program, here is how we plan your time with us — and handle a change of plans.
Limited space. Registration order.
Places go to studios in the order we receive their registrations, while space remains available.
When plans have to change
Unforeseen circumstances may require Movers & Makers to cancel an event, change the number of competition days, move the dates or change the venue. A cancelled event gives studios a full credit towards another Movers & Makers competition.
Your schedule and the printed program
Each studio receives a tentative schedule followed by a final schedule before the event. Updates received after the final schedule is sent will not appear in the program offered for sale.
Prepared with care
We work to produce an accurate final program. Movers & Makers is not responsible for printing mistakes, errors or missing information in that program.
Performance requirements
The work is ready. Now for the moment. A clear running order and a prepared backstage keep the focus on every mover.
Represent one studio
Each competitor may enter and perform with only one studio at the competition.
Never against yourself
No dancer can be entered in two routines that face off in the same category.
Keep your place in the running order
Perform in your scheduled order. To move a routine, a Movers & Makers director must approve it and it must go before the session ends — otherwise it gets its adjudication but isn't in the running for placements or overalls.
Get approval for a hold
A director must approve a request to hold a routine. Once approved, the routine must perform before its scheduled adjudication. Holding a routine without good reason may result in disqualification.
Ready 60 minutes early
Be ready to go 60 minutes before your scheduled time — the schedule may run early.
Check in five routines out
Report to the backstage manager when your routine is five routines away from its scheduled performance.
Props
Props can make a vision real. Plan for the space, the people around you and the routine that follows yours.
Put your props on the entry
List every prop-using routine during online registration and give an accurate description of what you are bringing.
Build it to stand on its own
Props must be freestanding. Nothing may be attached to the stage, ceiling, walls, wings or any other part of the venue.
Check the clearance
A prop taller than 3 metres may not fit the venue. Speak with us before building something that needs that clearance.
Protect the dancers and the floor
Do not bring unstable structures, sharp objects or tools, weapons, hoverboards, fire, fog, smoke, pyrotechnics, liquids, paint, gel, aerosols, confetti, glitter, powder or ashes. Items that could cause injury or damage the dance surface are not permitted.
Keep balloons grounded
Secure helium balloons to a weight. If a released balloon leads to a theatre charge, the studio covers that charge.
Ask about simulated weapons
A simulated weapon with dull or safe edges may be permitted, but only with approval from the Movers & Makers directors.
Damage stays with the studio
The studio covers any venue damage caused by its props, including repair costs assessed by the venue.
Plan the set-up and the exit
Set up and remove props promptly. Backstage storage depends on available space; take props out at the earliest opportunity, such as an awards session or meal break.
Leave a clear floor
If your routine leaves anything on the stage, your studio must clear it immediately after the performance.
The venue sets the limits
Movers & Makers may restrict individual props to meet venue requirements. Not following those restrictions may result in score deductions or disqualification.
Age appropriateness
Originality belongs here. So does care for the dancers performing your work and the families watching it.
Create for the whole audience
Your music, movement and costumes all contribute to the performance. Each must be suitable for the dancers and for a family audience.
Content counts
Suggestive or otherwise family-inappropriate lyrics, choreography or costumes may result in score deductions or disqualification.
We back our judging panel
Movers & Makers supports any judge who finds a routine inappropriate for its dancers' age, for any reason. That decision is final and is not open to debate or appeal.
Talk it through before creating
Unsure about a choice? Send us the track and a description before developing the routine so we can address the question before performance day.
Conduct
Studio pride and shared respect belong in the same room. Bring your support for your team, and leave room for everyone else to feel it too.
Respect is part of the performance
Dancers, teachers, parents, supporters and crew are expected to act respectfully and responsibly throughout the event, in every space and every role.
Give each routine the room
Keep conversation quiet during performances and phones on vibrate. Enter or leave the auditorium between routines only.
Celebrate beyond your own studio
Every routine deserves applause and encouragement. Distasteful cheering, booing or unruly behaviour may lead to disqualification or removal from the venue.
Leave access open
Keep aisles clear and leave reserved teacher and accessibility seating for those who need it. Air horns and other noise makers are not permitted unless we invite their use.
Make space backstage
Studio directors and teachers may access backstage at any time. Parents may not, unless registered as an independent studio. Dancers may wait up to three numbers before their performance and must keep the wings clear.
A changing space for everyone
Men may not enter the girls' dressing room, and women may not enter the boys'. We also offer a family-friendly, gender-neutral dressing room for anyone more comfortable using it, with no explanation needed. Misuse of any dressing room may lead to removal.
Care for the space we share
Clear your belongings and put your rubbish in the bins. Studios are responsible for venue damage caused by their participants and for the resulting repair costs.
Keep the panel separate
Studio directors, teachers, parents and dancers must not approach the judges at any point during the event, including performances and award sessions.
Payments & refunds
A clear commitment from the first entry to the final balance. Here are the deposits, deadlines and payment terms for your studio.
$250
under 20 entries
$500
20–59 entries
$750
60–99 entries
$1,000
100 entries or more
Reserve with a deposit
Your deposit secures your studio’s place. Use the entry bands above to find the deposit for the number of routines you are reserving.
Two deadlines. Two fee rates.
Pay your full balance by the early deadline to receive discounted entrance fees. Full payment by the regular deadline is charged at the regular fee rate.
Late balances carry extra fees
A balance remaining after the regular deadline incurs a 5% fee. If it is still unpaid within 30 days of the event, a further 5% fee applies.
Find your payment dates
Early and regular payment deadlines for the competition year are posted on the Register page.
50% paid: tentative schedule
Your studio receives its tentative schedule once 50% of its entrance fee balance has been paid.
75% paid: final schedule
Your studio receives its final schedule once 75% of its balance has been paid.
Clear the balance before competing
A studio with an outstanding balance 15 days before the competition may not be eligible to perform.
Choose your payment method
We accept e-Transfer, electronic fund transfer (direct deposit), cheque, money order and credit card. Credit card payments include a 3% surcharge.
Returned cheques
A returned or NSF cheque incurs a $35 administration fee.
Refunds and interrupted events
Deposits and entrance fees are non-refundable. If circumstances beyond our control, such as a natural disaster or pandemic, prevent the event from taking place, we will make reasonable efforts to reschedule. If rescheduling is not possible, entrance fees already paid may be refunded, with the remaining amount carried forward as credit.
Photos & videos
Be present for the performance. Save your own photos and videos for the celebrations.
Let the movers have the moment
To protect dancers, photography and video recording are strictly prohibited during performances.
Capture the celebrations
Audience photography and video recording are permitted during award sessions only.
Unauthorised recordings
Movers & Makers directors reserve the right to confiscate or delete photographs and videos captured by unauthorised individuals.
Professional memories
Professional competition photos and videos will be available to purchase via DanceBUG (photo/video partner to be confirmed).
Consent for competition media
Entry in Movers & Makers includes consent from studio directors, teachers, choreographers, guardians and dancers for competition photographs and videos to be used commercially, including advertising, marketing campaigns and social media promotion.
Liability
Every dancer brings commitment to the stage. Participation also means understanding the risks and responsibilities that come with it.
Understand the physical risks
Dance participation carries inherent risks, including sprains, bruises, pulled muscles and broken bones. These examples do not cover every possible injury.
Participation accepts those risks
By taking part in Movers & Makers, dancers accept the inherent risks associated with competing.
Responsibility for injury and illness
Participants agree that Movers & Makers, its directors, staff and volunteers will not be held responsible for injuries or illnesses arising while attending or participating in competition-related activities. Neither Movers & Makers nor the venue is responsible for personal injuries to dancers or spectators.
Keep your belongings secure
Movers & Makers is not responsible for lost or stolen property. Leave bags, phones and jewellery with someone you trust.