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