Studios must send a deposit in order to secure a spot.

Entrance fees must be paid in full by the registration deadline. Payment received after registration deadline is subject to a late fee of 10%. Any studio with outstanding fees 30 calendar days prior to the competition will not be eligible to participate.

Entrance fees are payable to SHOCK Dance Challenge by either cheque or money order.

Any returned or NSF cheques will be charged a $35.00 administration fee.

Deposits and entrance fees are non-refundable. The only exception to this rule, is if a situation beyond our control occurs such as, but not limited to: a natural disaster or pandemic. In such a case, SHOCK will offer a refund option up to 80% of entrance fees paid, with the remaining to be deferred as credit.

All entries with the use of props must be declared to SHOCK, and accurately detailed during the online registration process.

Props must be freestanding. Props are not permitted to be secured or fastened to the stage, ceiling, walls, wings or any other stage structure.

SHOCK cannot guarantee that a prop in excess of 3m in height will be able to be used.

Any prop or special effect that could negatively impact the health or safety of anyone in attendance, or the dancing surface is not permitted. Such props include but are not limited to: unstable structural elements, sharp objects or tools, weapons of any kind, hoverboards, fire, fog, smoke, pyrotechnics, liquid, paint, gel, aerosol, glitter, powder or ashes.

Helium balloons must be tethered to a weight. Charges incurred by SHOCK from the venue for balloons released into the theatre will be charged to the studio.

Simulated weapons with dull/safe edges may be acceptable with the approval of SHOCK Directors.

In the event that any part of the theatre is damaged as a result of a prop, the studio will be held solely responsible for all damages and repair costs determined by the venue.

Props can be stored backstage, as space permits. At the earliest opportunity, props that are no longer being used must be taken out (ie. awards/meal break).

Props must be prepared, set-up, and removed quickly.

If the stage is “littered” during a routine, the studio must be prepared to clean it up immediately after the routine is finished.

SHOCK reserves the right to limit the use of specific props according to the venue’s guidelines and restrictions. Failure to comply to the abovementioned requirements could result in score deductions or disqualification.

Any dancer participating in a dance competition takes certain inherent risks. These include, but are not limited to, sprains, bruises, pulled muscles, and broken bones.

Participation in this competition indicates the acceptance of such risks by dancers.
Therefore by virtue of entering this competition, it is agreed that participants will not hold SHOCK or it’s Directors, staff or volunteers responsible for injuries sustained or illnesses contracted by them while in attendance and/or participating in any activity related to a SHOCK competition.

SHOCK and the venue are not responsible for personal injury to dancers or spectators.

SHOCK is not responsible for lost or stolen property. Do not leave your property and valuables unattended. Any personal belongings, costumes or dance apparel left behind at the competition will not be the responsibility of SHOCK.

For the safety of the dancers, there shall be absolutely no photography or videotaping allowed during performances. SHOCK Directors have the right to confiscate or delete photos or videos taken by unauthorized individuals. Photography or videotaping is permitted during award sessions only. Professional pictures and videos will be available for purchase via DanceBUG.

By virtue of entering a SHOCK competition, studio directors, teachers, choreographers, guardians and dancers give permission and consent to use photographs and videos captured during the competition to be used for advertisements, marketing campaigns, social media promotion, or any other commercial use.

The judges’ decisions are final and non-negotiable. Every effort has been made by SHOCK to ensure a fair judging and scoring process.

Birth certificates are not required, however, if there is a discrepancy with a dancers age it will need to be provided by the end of the competition. Failure to provide proof of age will result in disqualification of the routine in question.

Each competitor may only compete with one studio. Competitors cannot compete against themselves.

All entries will perform in the order they are scheduled. If for any reason a routine must perform out of order, it has to be approved by a SHOCK Director and must perform before the end of the session. If this is not done, the dancer will only receive a score and not be eligible for placement.

Studio directors wanting to place a routine on hold must seek approval from the SHOCK Directors. If approval is granted, the routine must perform before the scheduled adjudication for that routine. If it is brought to the attention of the SHOCK Dance Challenge directors that a studio director is wrongfully holding a routine(s), that routine(s) will be subject to disqualification.

Performers should be ready to perform 60 minutes prior to the scheduled performance time, in case the competition is running ahead of schedule.

All routines must report to the backstage manager 5 routines prior to scheduled performance time.

Refer to the time limit guidelines below:

Time Limit Guidelines
IMPROV: 20 seconds / 30 seconds
SOLO: 2.5 minute maximum
DUET/TRIO: 3.0 minute maximum
GROUPS/LINES: 3.5 minute maximum
PRODUCTION: 8.0 minute maximum

If time permits, any dancer that did not complete their routine will have the opportunity to re-dance but the routine will not be re-scored.

Any dancer that is not able to complete their routines because of costume malfunction or technical difficulties, will be allowed to re-dance and be re-scored.

SHOCK is a family-friendly competition and the choices made around music, choreography and costuming is very important.

If music lyrics, choreography, or costuming are deemed to be too suggestive or otherwise inappropriate for our family audience, the routine will be subject to score deductions or disqualification. Any judge that deems a routine not be age appropriate for any reason, will have the full support of SHOCK.

SHOCK will strive to keep its competition family-friendly.

Those attending a SHOCK competition, in any capacity, are expected to conduct themselves in a respectful and responsible manner at all times.

To optimize the SHOCK on-stage experience for dancers, we ask that the audience assist with limiting sources of distractions such as: keep talking during performances to a minimum, switching mobile device to vibrate and entering/exiting the theatre between performances only.

SHOCK strives to provide a fun, supportive and encouraging environment for all participants. We strongly encourage spectator’s display their support by applauding and cheering for not only their own studio’s routines but for all routines performed on stage. Distasteful cheering or unruly behaviour of any kind will not be tolerated and will result in disqualification and/or removal from the premises.

SHOCK makes it a priority to ensure that the stage viewing experience is as enjoyable as possible. No sitting in aisleways or sitting in seats that are reserved for teachers or those with accessibility limitations. Furthermore, devices used to amplify support, such as air horns or noise makers are prohibited, with the exception of The Showdown.

We ask that studios help maintain a clear backstage area. Studio directors and teachers are permitted at all times. Parents are not permitted in the backstage area during the competition unless you are registered as an independent studio. Dancers may wait backstage up to three numbers before their performance, and must stay clear of the wings.

Men are not permitted in the girls dressing room and women are not permitted in the boys dressing room. Anyone who abuses the dressing room area will be subject to removal from the premises.

All participants are responsible for cleaning their area and properly disposing of all garbage.

Please be advised that studios will be held responsible for any damages to the venue.

Under no circumstances should a studio director, teacher, parent or dancer approach the judges.

Music must be supplied to the music table for all routines entered in the competition, 60 minutes prior to when the studios first routine is scheduled to perform. All music must be edited exactly from beginning to end to avoid any confusion.

Music with suggestive or explicit language, as determined by SHOCK and/or the judges, could be subject to score deductions or disqualification.

Music is to be supplied on a USB drive that satisfies the following:

• USB is compatible with Mac OS X.
• Approved music file formats that are compatible with iTunes: AIFF, MP3, WAV, MPEG-4, and AIFF-C.
• Audio file name exactly matches the Routine Title (do not number or include dancer names).

Music stored on a mobile device or external hard drive will be used for backup music only.

USBs not picked up following the competition will be discarded.