RULES & GUIDELINES

Please read the following carefully. Failure to comply to these rules and guidelines could result in disqualification.

• All studios, studio directors, coaches, staff, and competitors must demonstrate integrity with good sportsmanship, manners, respect for their craft and those that share it. This is not limited to the stage but in the backstage area, lobby, bathrooms, audience, and any venue area. At any time your studio does not follow these simple principles, Integrity Talent Project reserves the right to disqualify your team and/or you may face deductions.

• All routines and performances must be appropriate for a family audience. All routines deemed inappropriate by Integrity Talent Project will be subject to disqualification or 10 point deduction in score.

• A solo routine which is not completed and is attempted a 2nd time will not be eligible for top score or overall, they will be adjudicated only.

• All dancers and/or competitors grant permission to Integrity Talent Project to use their names and photographs on all marketing materials and social media outlets.

• There is no limit to the number of entries a studio may have, but all competitions are capped to keep our judges fresh & fair!

• No use of anything that may damage the performance floor or make it unsuitable for other performers. No liquid of any kind including fog, paint, sprays, or loose glitter. Props that are unprotected and may scratch and/or damage the floor, fire, live animals, or anything considered dangerous (knives, swords, glass, etc). Integrity Talent Project reserves the right to inspect all props, disqualify props, and or place deductions on unsafe props.

• The stage must be left clean for the next performer and it is your responsibility.

• No coaching from the audience or wings is permitted at any time.

• All competitors or coaches must be able to provide proof the age of each competitor upon request of Integrity Talent Project. All age protests must be submitted in writing to Integrity Talent Project. Only a studio director may submit a age protest.

• Studio directors and teachers are responsible for selecting the appropriate level and category for their dancers. If a competitor is placed in the incorrect level or category, Integrity Talent Project judges reserve the right to place the competitor correctly. *See Levels and Categories for more information.

• Studio Directors are responsible to make all schedule corrections for their studio once the schedule is posted and by specified DEADLINE. Changes after the deadline may not be accepted and may not appear in the Integrity Talent Project event.

• No changes to the schedule, competitors level, number of participants, category, or any other change requests day of competition. All changes are to be emailed to Integrity Talent Project prior to event. Changes can only be granted by way of special permission from Integrity Talent Project.

• Competitors must perform in the order in which they are scheduled. Special consideration will be made for quick changes. Please see the backstage manager for approval. All other competitors that request to perform out of order will not be eligible for overall awards or special recognition.

• Studio directors and coaches must have their competitors ready to perform one hour prior to scheduled time. If a studio delays the competition, it will result in a 2 point deduction. PLEASE BE ON TIME!

• No addition sound equipment is permitted - NO EXCEPTIONS.

• A final schedule of events will be received two weeks prior to all Integrity Talent Project events.

• Independent entries welcome!

Recording & Photography Restrictions

Video recording and photography of any kind is STRICTLY PROHIBITED. Failure to comply with this rule may lead to disqualification or removal from event. We urge all studio owners, teachers, and parents to keep our performances photographically safe. Unfortunately, this rule has been put in place due to the possible prevalence of people of questionable nature and to protect the work of the dancers and choreographers. Cameras of any kind are not allowed in the dressing rooms. Integrity Talent Project reserves the right to remove the media being used or those using it from the event. Failure to comply with these rules could result in the disqualification of dancer(s) and/or studio(s).

Music

• All music must be age appropriate and intended for a family audience unless entered into the adult division within reason.

• All music will be uploaded prior to event by designated deadline.

• Backup music may only be submitted by USB. Integrity Talent Project will not be responsible for your phone and/or other electronic devices.

• No CDs accepted. Sorry, those times are gone!

Inappropriate Movements, Lyrics & Costuming

Choreography, costuming, and/or the use of dance themes including but not limited to rape, suicide, murder, sex, domestic violence, anorexia/eating disorders, and dark undertones, chosen and/or presented to competition audiences with a lack of artistic discretion is considered inappropriate. Integrity Talent Project appreciates the art form, creativity, and desire to heighten world awareness of these themes through dance but deems it inappropriate to present them to audiences that include children of every age. We recognize that this is extremely subjective and sensitive. We urge all studio owners, teachers, and parents, to keep performances thematically and choreographically appropriate. If dance movements, music lyrics, or costuming are deemed to be too suggestive or otherwise inappropriate for our family audience, the judges may score it lower. Integrity Talent Project directors and/or staff reserve the right to terminate a routine in the middle of the performance if requested by the panel of judges.

Media Release

Participants and teachers, by virtue of entering an Integrity Talent Project event, give their permission and consent to the directors of Integrity Talent Project to use their images, likeness, video footage, or photographs to appear on videos, television, or any other electronic media for advertising, news coverage, or other commercial use of our events.

Entry Type & Time

• Solos (1 performer) > time limit (2:30)

• Duo/Trio (2-3 performers) > time limit (2:45)

• Small Group (4-9 performers) > time limit (3:00)

• Large Group (10-19 performers) > time limit (3:00)

• Line (20+ performers) > time limit (5:00)

• Production (15+ performers) > time limit (7:00)

• Extended Time ($5 per minute)

Age Divisions

• Petite (5 - 7)

• Junior (8 - 10)

• Pre Teen (11 - 12)

• Teen (13 - 14)

• Senior (15 - 17)

• Pro Am (18+)

• Ages of competitors will be determined as of January 1st of the current year. Birth certificates must be supplied upon request. Photocopies are acceptable.

• To determine the age of a group and/or entry, please average the ages of all the competitors within the entry.

Levels of Competition

• Recreational – entertainers whom dance 1 to 4 hours a week or are new to competition

• Competitive – entertainers whom dance 5 to 8 hours per week and have competition experience

• Next Level – entertainers whom take 9+ hours per week and are advanced competitors Pre-Pro or Pro

• Uplift – entertainers with special needs or impairments

  • All solos / duet / trios must be entered in the same division. If you enter your jazz solo in competitive, all your solos must be in competitive.

  • A solo routine which is not completed and is attempted a second time will not be eligible for top score or overall; they will be adjudicated only.

  • Soloists are limited to three solos per city and any soloist with more than one solo must compete in the competitive division or higher.

  • Minis can only compete in recreational. Petites may compete recreational and competitive.

  • All dancers will be assigned their levels by their director. Once levels have been assigned all duet/trios and groups will automatically be assigned. Please note that the recrational level is for beginners, all dancers entered into recreational with higher level skills, will be bumped by our judges.

  • Multiple overall wins are a good indicator it’s time to move up. A mandatory bump by Integrity Talent Project will be implemented at your next event, if your studio has 4+ overall wins at a ITP Event.

  • Any changes to level placement must be submitted prior to competition start date or approved by the Integrity Talent Project.

  • Integrity Talent Project and judges reserve the right to promote any dancer and/or group based on performance and skill.

The Integrity Showdown

• At each ITP event, the top 5 most entertaining routines will go head-to-head for the chance to win $500!

• The top 5 can be chosen from any age group and/or level.

• Your studio must compete with all original dancers from round 1 and add an element of surprise for the judges.

• All participants receive a studio banner and are recognized at the awards ceremony.

• The grand champion will receive a check for $500, as well as be recognized on Integrity Talent Project’s website and social pages.

General Awards

• Each entry will be adjudicated and receive an award indicating their entry’s achievement based on the scoring system for each level of competition.

• Overall awards will be presented to the top scoring entries in each level only.

• The number of entries will determine if the “Top 10”, “Top 5”, or “Top 3” will be recognized at each event.

• All ties will be broken by technique score first, showmanship 2nd, and judges 3rd.

• Awards will be given for “Most Entertaining”, “Best Choreography”, “Broadway Bound”, “Spirit”, “Integrity Studio of Excellence”, along with many scholarship and merchandise opportunities.

• All solos, duets and trios receiving 1st overall and 5 stars will receive an Integrity Talent Project “Jacket of Champions”.

• Vocal and acting categories will be eligible for their own overall awards.

• A special “Triple Threat Award” is to be given if there is an entry that does it all… SINGS, DANCES, AND ACTS!

Photogenic & Costume Awards

Photogenic and costume entries must be entered on competition day only. Photos should be 8x10 head shots and can be color, or black and white. You will fill out forms and turn in pictures at the registration table. Please submit a photo that Integrity Talent Project may keep, as they will not be returned. If your photo wins, it will be used for social media promos and future programs. All entries will receive a score sheet to review. Cost is $25 per entry.

Improv Battle

Improv is such an important element of performance and will be available in all cities just before awards. Registration will be completed on-site the day of competition at the registration table. Cost is $35 per entry. Dancers will rotate in 2 rounds and will be given 30-45 seconds of music to make an impression on the judges. Round 3 is a group battle to the finish line! Can you dance? We wanna see you dance! The less tricks the better… that’s the key to success!

Categories

All categories may contain up to 3 acro tricks, routines with more then 3 acro tricks must enter into the acro category.

Scoring System

• Integrity Talent Project will provide judges that are qualified industry professionals.

• All routines will be given a numeric score by the judges.

• All routines will be given quality critiques to benefit each dancer so they may grow in their craft. Verbal critiques will be provided.

• Scoring system:

  • Technique - 40

  • Choreography - 15

  • Execution - 20

  • Showmanship - 20

  • Costume - 5

Competition Fees

• Solo - $115

• Duet/Trio - $50 / dancer

• Group - $40 / dancer

Payment

• All entries must be paid by cashier's check, money order or by credit card (processing fees applied) 30 days prior to an Integrity Talent Project event. You can make payments online at www.interitytaletproject.org.

• A 10% early bird discount is applied if entry fees are PAID IN FULL before the 90-day deadline. A 5% discount is applied if entry fees are PAID IN FULL before before the 60-day deadline. There are no discounts offered after these dates.

• Any unpaid balances two weeks prior to an Integrity Talent Project event will be charged a 10% fee of total amount due and/or dropped from the event.

Refunds

All convention and competition fees are non-refundable unless event is cancelled by Integrity Talent Project. NO EXCEPTIONS.

General Disclaimers

Integrity Talent Project reserves the right to cancel or postpone any event due to weather, number of entries, or any other circumstance deemed necessary. Integrity Talent Project reserves the right to add additional competition days or move event locations due to unforeseen circumstances.

Any change in event days and/or times is at the sole discretion of Integrity Talent Project and will be determined by the amount of time available at each event.

Deductions may be made for routines that are not completed due to a dancer exiting the stage. If an uncompleted routine is allowed to attempt a second performance, it may not be eligible for Top Overall awards. This is to be determined by the judges and Competition Directors. Dancers above the Petite Level that walk off the stage and do not complete their routine will not be allowed to re-perform without the consent of the Competition Director.

Sportsmanlike behavior is expected at all times. Failure to display proper decorum could result in immediate disqualification.

Integrity Talent Project makes every effort to align with reputable vendors (photographers, videographers, etc.) at all events. However, Integrity Talent Project is not responsible for any unfulfilled orders resulting in a financial loss for the customer that may be caused as a direct result from the business practice of any of its vendors.

Inherent Risks

Any performer competing in an event accepts certain inherent risks. An inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in any public place where people are present. COVID-19 is a disease that can lead to severe illness and death. Other risks include, but are not limited to, sprains, cuts, scrapes, bruises, pulled muscles, and broken bones. Participation in this competition indicates the acceptance of such risks by the performers and their parents/legal guardians. Therefore, by virtue of entering an event, it is agreed that participants will not hold Integrity Talent Project or its officers, directors, staff, or employees responsible for injuries sustained or illnesses contracted while in attendance and/or participating in any activity related to an Integrity Talent Project event, and the hosting facility are not responsible for personal injury or property loss or damage to either contestant or spectators. Epileptics, asthmatics, and people with pacemakers should be advised that it is common for Integrity Talent Project to use strobe light effects, laser effect, and water/glycerin based haze fluid throughout the entire competition.