DANCE DISCIPLINE CATEGORIES

 

1. BALLET

A routine consisting of classical steps & Ballet technique:

This category covers various dance styles
Dancers may enter them all:
Classical Ballet, & Neo-Classical Ballet same section. Demi Character & Ballet Repertoire separate sections.

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2. NATIONAL

THIS CATEGORY WILL PERFORM IN THE BALLET SECTION OF THE COMPETITION
Any dance style specific to a country and representative of their culture
Example: Irish, Solo Latin, Spanish, Greek, African, Tribal, Indian, Belly Dancing, etc – Performances are, to a significant degree, bound by tradition with strong cultural roots, costuming and music.

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3. STAGE BRANCH

This category covers various dance styles
Dancers may enter them all.
In REGIONALS, the dancers compete separately, in solos, in each of the Style categories and are placed separately, in each of the Style categories. They do not compete against each other.
In NATIONALS the different Style categories all compete in the same category under the title Stage Branch, irrespective of the style they are performing, EXCEPT FOR CHARACTERS. Characters dance separately – NO STATUS

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(a) MODERN

A routine that is performed in this category that is not a LYRICAL, CONTEMPORARY or JAZZ piece.

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(b) LYRICAL

A routine that is performed to the lyrics or mood of the music. Routine should demonstrate balance, extension, isolations, and control utilizing the lyrics or mood of the music. Lyrical dance is a literal representation of the music using a combination of ballet and jazz with a little bit of modern thrown in for good measure. It is usually performed in foot undies and tends to be romantic and emotional in approach. Music with vocals and lyrics is preferred but not a rule

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(c) CONTEMPORARY

Contemporary dance can be almost anything. It can be performed barefoot, en pointe or even in socks on stage. It may or may not be performed to music, sounds or nothing at all except the counts or breath of the dancers. This category will also include the new commercial American contemporary styles, as seen in works by Mia Michaels, Sonya Tayeh and Alvin Ailey. Inventive movements incorporating different styles with classical foundation; Martha Graham, Horton and Cunningham are the major styles.

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(d) JAZZ

Jazz is an energetic dance style, consisting of unique moves depending on specific style and era of jazz. The moves must reflect the jazz dance technique (layouts, jazz pirouettes, fan-kicks, jazz walks, splits, isolation, leaps etc.) which are based on the technique from classical ballet training. As long as the jazz dance vocabulary is used, the music can vary from classic jazz, theatre jazz, Latin jazz to modern day music. Jazz dance encourages individual expression and the development of personal style

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N.B. FUSION

Where a piece of choreography has a combination of dance styles, all within one piece of choreography:
NO SEPARATE “FUSION” category. Fusion routines must be entered in the categories available.

The routine must be placed into the prominent dance style available

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(e) CHARACTERS NO STATUS
Candidates performing SOLO CHARACTERS compete in their own section under

“CHARACTERS” in all the dance styles – in all age categories. Candidates may lip sync.

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4. URBAN DANCE STYLE / HIP HOP

Deriving from Urban Dance culture, the choreography can combine different dance styles of Hip Hop e.g., Oldschool and Newschool. Oldschool includes: Pop, Lock, Jazzrock, Hype. Newschool includes: Newstyle, Krumping, Dance Hall. Housedance (footwork, jacking and lofting) is considered as part of this category. Also includes waacking, lyrical, voguing and experimental. Creativity is essential as Hip Hop is a personal expression of emotions or situations and experiences. Abusive language / violent expressions forbidden in music and performance.

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5. BATTLE: URBAN DANCE STYLE / HIP HOP
12& under & 13& over.
LIVE REGIONALS ONLY. Not available to ONLINE entrants

Winners are announced after the section is completed.

All Style / Freestyle Solo Section
A preliminary round will be held where all dancers, in their age categories perform together and the Judges select who battles who when the BATTLES begin.

• R500 cash award for SENIOR solo winner

• R250 cash award for JUNIOR solo 

  winner. NB. 12& 

  UNDER Competitors younger than 10 years old will be accepted in this section, but they and their parents must be made aware that it is a 12& under section.

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6. MUSICAL THEATRE NO STATUS
Musical theatre is a form of performance that should combine singing, lip syncing, acting and dance. The story and the emotional content of a musical – humour, pathos, love, anger, should be communicated through the choreography. All styles are permitted including both classical and contemporary musicals. Examples: from the 1930 (Singing in the Rain, Oklahoma, Cabaret, and Sweet Charity) up to the present day (Mamma Mia, Producers, Chicago, Wicked, etc.) Storyline, characterization and costume must reflect the chosen musical. Musical character/s must be recognizable This Dance Category is divided into 3 sections:

(a) Lip Sync

A routine from a Musical that mimics voices on pre-recorded music and includes dance.

(b) Song and Dance

A routine that combines dancing and live singing.
This is a vocal/dance section...lead vocals may not be lip synced - may have back up vocal accompaniment. A handheld, wireless microphones will be available. If candidate requires personal/studio microphones, headsets, etc. these must be provided and set up by the teacher/candidate. TDA will not be responsible for this.

(c) Tap Musical Theatre 

THIS category competes in the TAP section of the competition at REGIONALS and with the other MUSICAL THEATRE sections at NATIONALS.

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7. TAP

A routine utilizing tap technique performed with tap shoes only, creating syncopated rhythms. The routine must contain tap technique and primarily tap work. It is preferred for tap sounds not to be pre-recorded in music.

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8. ACROBATIC DANCE

This dance discipline offers 3 options.  Dancers may enter them all.  At Regionals and Nationals they remain 3 different section and do not compete against each other

•  ACROBATIC SOLO

A routine showing controlled acrobatic moves such as walkovers, front/back limbers, handstands, chest rolls, including, but not limited to headstands, cartwheels, etc. There should be a blend of acrobatics and dance together. All acrobatic elements should be linked with dance steps. Acrobatic Dance may contain flexibility moves or contortionist moves AND it must contain dance moves, steps, and choreography.  

• PROP ROUTINE

The same criteria as for an acrobatic solo but using a prop e.g. handstand canes, box cubes, chair, table etc.

• CONTORTION

Contortion is a performance art in which performers called contortionists showcase their skills of extreme back flexibility.

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9. SOLO LATIN DANCE

THIS CATEGORY WILL PERFROM IN THE BALLET SECTION OF THE COMPETITION WITH THE NATIONAL SOLOS.

Choice of dancing Cha Cha Cha, Samba, Paso Doble, Rumba or Jive in all sections, in all age categories.

PLEASE NOTE: In Duets, trios, quartet, all groups:
Should there be a mix of female and male dancers, no more than 20% of the choreography may be taken in a closed hold with a partner as in couples dancing, This applies to same sex partnering as well.