NATIONALS 2024 OPEN COMPETITION FEES

Registering for the Convention is required in order to participate in the Open Competition.

Special Note: Anyone registered for the ASH Assistant Audition does not need to register and perform a solo twice, as in past years. However, anyone registered for the ASH Assistant Audition MUST have at least one solo registered for the Open Competition.

 

GENERAL RULES

Each performance will be critiqued by the ASH Nationals judges and provided a score. Watching the Open Competition is free of charge (no wristband needed.) ASH will livestream the Open Competition at www.ASHWebcast.com!

  • Registration for the Open Competition is on a first come, first serve basis. Once maximum capacity is reached, we will no longer accept Open Competition routine registrations.
  • Each registered dancer may register up to 2 solos for Nationals 2024.
  • There will be strict adherence to the Open Competition program order. Please be ready to perform when scheduled. Keep in mind that routines which do not perform at their scheduled Open Competition time may be ineligible to receive cash awards.
  • In order to perform a group routines (4+ dancers) in the Performance Showcase, a Teacher must be registered for the full convention.
  • All routines must be appropriate for family viewing.
  • Teachers may not coach dancers during performance.
  • Changes to any routine must be made by the “Registration Cutoff Date” listed on the specific city page.
  • All performers must be students. NO TEACHERS OR PROFESSIONAL DANCERS.
  • If a minimum number of entries is not reached, ASH Productions reserves the right to cancel the Performance Showcase. In the event of a cancellation, ASH Productions will issue a full refund for Performance Showcase fees only.
  • Awards received when a dancer is registered with a studio are not valid when registering as an independent or with another studio.

 

PREREQUISITES

  • To participate in the Open Competition, dancers must be registered for the full convention.
  • All dancers registered for the Convention at ASH Nationals are eligible to participate in the Open Competition.
  • Dancers or routines are not required to have performed at a regional event in order to participate in the Open Competition.
  • All performers must be students. NO TEACHERS OR PROFESSIONAL DANCERS.

 

ROUTINE LIMITS AND ENTRY RULES

  • A registered dancer may register up to 2 solos in the Open Competition.
  • Independent dancers may participate in the Open Competition.
  • Dancers may perform solos and duets/trios without a Teacher registered for the full convention.
  • In order to perform a group routines (4+ dancers), a Teacher must be registered for the full convention.

 

THE ASH STAGE & PROPS

  • The following items may NOT be used in routines: paint, liquid, glass, fire, live animals, confetti, powder, and glitter.
  • Props are allowed. However, you must enter the prop information when registering the routine.
  • Props may not be larger than 8 feet tall.
  • Prop setup and take down must not exceed 2 minutes for both setup and take down combined. If 2 minutes is exceeded, the routine will not be eligible for Cash Awards.
  • Props must be carried on and off the stage. ASH Staff or Crew will NOT assist in unloading, moving, assembling, repairing, or dismantling props or any other equipment. 
  • Please leave the stage area clean for the next performers.
  • Stage Dimensions – 24 feet deep x 48 feet wide. The performance stage size varies based on venue size and configuration and can range from approximately 24’x34’ to 24’x48’ (stage dimensions may or may not include wing space). 

 

MUSIC

  • All music must be uploaded to your online registration account by June 17, 2024.
  • You can upload music by clicking the green “Media Manager” button for your event. Only MP3 files are accepted. Once uploaded, you can preview all music!
  • Uploaded music must match the timestamp you entered when registering a routine. If the music exceeds the time entered and also exceeds the time limits listed in the table above, you will be charged according to the extended time rates listed in the table above for each dancer in the routine and become ineligible for Performance Showcase Awards.
  • Beginning in the 23/24 Season, any account with music not uploaded at least one week prior to the start of the event will have a $50 late fee added to their account. 
  • Please bring a backup USB of all music to the event. Only a USB will be accepted. ASH will not accept music on an iPhone, iPod, computer, CD, or any other device.

 

WATCHING THE OPEN COMPETITION

The Open Competition is free to watch and open to all family and friends to attend FOR FREE. Once seating capacity is reached in the ballroom, no more audience members will be allowed entry. ASH will livestream the Open Competition at www.ASHWebcast.com. The video wall located in the lobby will also be broadcasting the Open Competition. Friends and family can watch from home, and attendees will be able to watch from anywhere at the venue!

 

SOLO COMPETITION

Each solo performance will be critiqued and given a score. The Solo Competition will be conducted in two rounds. The first is the Open Competition. The top ten scoring solos (semi-finalists) in each age division (Artists In Training, Intermediate, and Advanced) will advance to round two for an improv portion of the competition. Mini Movers are not included in round two. Each semi-finalist will be given one minute to improv to a song chosen for them on the spot! The top three semi-finalists from each age division will be announced as winners and awarded a cash prize during the Scholarship Announcements on the last day of Nationals. The top scoring solo in each age division will be invited to perform their solo in the Gala on the last night of Nationals.

 

DUET, TRIO, & GROUP COMPETITION

Each duet, trio and group number will be critiqued and given a score. The top three scoring duet/trios in each age division (Mini Movers, Artists In Training, Intermediate & Advanced) and top three scoring group dances in each age division will be announced as winners and awarded a cash prize during the Scholarship Announcements on the last day of Nationals.

 

JUDGING CRITERIA

 

ADJUDICATED AWARDS

OVERALL CASH AWARDS

*There must be a minimum of 10 dances registered in each division for cash awards to be given. 

SOLO

DUETS/TRIOS

GROUPS

CRITIQUES & SCORES

Critiques and scores will be uploaded to your online registration account after the event ends. Login to your registration account, find the event, click “Scores” and you can view and download your critiques.

STUDIO OF THE YEAR

The Studio of the Year includes four prize categories, Artists In Training Studio of the Year, Intermediate Studio of the Year, Advanced Studio of the Year, and Studio of the Year.


PREREQUISITES

In order to be eligible for “Studio of the Year”, a studio must register the following minimum number of students in the Convention and routines in the Open Competition.

  • 15 Students for the Convention
  • 10 Solos, Duets, and/or Trios
  • 5 Small (4-9 Dancers) or Large (10-24 Dancers) Group routines, and/or Production (25+ Dancers) routines

PRELIMINARY ROUND

All eligible studios will perform all required routines in the Open Competition. Studios may register more routines than the minimum number required (above), however, only the top scoring 10 solos/duets/trios, 5 small/large groups, and/or 1 production will be counted towards the overall score. The combined scores of all the required routines will determine the studios that move on to the “Semi-Final Round”.

    SEMI-FINAL ROUND

    Each studio qualifying for the Semi-Final round will then re-perform the top scoring solo/duet/trio (1) and 3 small/large groups, and/or production. These 4 routines will then be scored again.

    WINNER ANNOUNCEMENT

    The Studio of the Year will be announced during the Gala before the Closing Number.

     

    PAYMENT

    ASH accepts Visa, Master Card, Discover, American Express, checks or money orders. Checks or money orders must be postmarked before the Early Bird Discount Deadline in order to secure the Early Bird rate. If a check is returned, you will be assessed a $30.00 fee. Only cash and credit cards are accepted when registering at the door or paying a final balance upon check-in at Registration. *All funds must be paid in U.S. currency only. No International, Canadian or Foreign checks will be accepted.

     

    REFUND POLICY

    Unless ASH is forced to cancel due to Acts of God, CDC, local, state, or federal government mandates, ASH will not provide a refund under any circumstance. If the event is held and a dancer cannot attend due to injury or illness, you must contact the ASH Office at least 24 hours prior to the start of the event. ASH will issue a credit statement to be used up to one year from the date of issue for convention and/or performance showcase fees provided the dancer submits a doctor’s note within 30 days via email to info@ashproductions.com.

     

    FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

    When will the schedule be released?

    All Event Schedules, Open Competition Schedules, and Welcome Packets will be released on June 7, 2024 by the end of the business day. No information will be available prior to the release of that information. Please do not contact ASH before then about scheduling information.

    How many solos can can a dancer register?

    Dancers may register up to 2 solos.

    Where can I find my critiques?

    Critiques are uploaded to your online account after the event and can be accessed by clicking “Scores”. You can login HERE

    How do I apply a True Artist Award Voucher?

    In all instances where you wish to apply any of your credits or awards, please email info@ashproductions.com prior to making ANY payment so that we can ensure your registration and the application of your credits and vouchers is correct.

    How do I upload music?

    Use the green “Media Manager” button in your online registration account by June 17, 2024.

    Can I register without my studio under my studio name or as an independent?

    ASH accepts Studio and Independent registrations. It is up to your contract with your studio as to how you are allowed to register. When registering as an Independent, type “Independent” when asked to provide a studio name.

    Can I change the time my routine performs?

    Unlike the regional tour which is non-competitive, our Open Competition schedule is grouped by age and category (i.e. duet/trio, groups, etc.) so no scheduling requests can be accepted.

    If I change studios, how can I register with my True Artist Award Voucher?

    Performance Showcase Awards belong to the studio and are not assigned to a specific dancer. Performance Showcase Awards cannot be transferred to another studio registration or to an independent registration. The student must obtain written consent from the original studio in order to use the Award as an independent or under another studio. ASH will not offer to obtain such written consent on behalf of the student. Written consent can be sent by the studio via email to info@ashproductions.com.

    Can I pre-order photos and videos?

    At this time, only studios are eligible to pre-order full studio routine packages of 10 routines or more. Fill out the “Studio Packages 10+” form for special pricing at www.ASHPhotoVideo.com!

    How can I watch the Open Competition?

    The Open Competition is free to watch and open to anyone to attend. ASH will also livestream the Open Competition at www.ASHWebcast.com or click the “LIVE! WEBCAST” in the main menu. The video wall located in the lobby will also be broadcasting the Open Competition. Friends and family can watch from home, and attendees will be able to watch from anywhere at the venue!

    Can I videotape and take photos at the event?

    Photography and Videography at Artists Simply Human are STRICTLY PROHIBITED! Photos and Videos will be available for purchase at www.ASHPhotoVideo.com throughout the event and after.

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