“Casey Comps, 2021”

THE COMMITTEE SHALL ENFORCE THE RULES LISTED

1. Placing Decisions: The Adjudicator’s decision is final.

2. Risk: All competitors dance completely at their own risk.

3. Proof of Age: The Committee reserves the right to ask for a birth certificate or proof of age at any time during the competition.

4. Age and Novice/Open Entry: Competitors entering solo sections must enter their own age group only as either Novice or Open, not both.

5. Definition of “Novice”: A “Novice” is a dancer who has never been placed (1st., 2nd. or 3rd.) in any competition at any time. The only exception to this ruling is the Under 6 Years classification. Competitors coming out of this age group may enter Novice sections. Once a competitor has won a 1st , 2nd or 3rd. prize in a section at any competition prior to our entry closing date each year, they must enter the Open division for that section/style at Dandenong (“Casey Comps”) or any other competition in the future offering Open/Novice sections.

6. Competitor Registration/Checking In: All competitors must be checked in prior to the commencement of their section. This allows for all music and knowledge of their intent to compete to be sent to the Bio-Box, Backstage and the Adjudicator. The ‘Checking In’ process includes the submission of music on CD or notification of intent to use an electronic device. Competitors arriving after the commencement of their section may be allowed to dance at the end of their section for a report only, if time and the Adjudicator allows.

7. Dance in Order: Competitors must appear in the order in which their names appear in the program, and may appear once only in any section. This includes solos, duos/trios and troupes. No exceptions will be made to these rules unless the Committee allows a change of order to accommodate reasonable time for costume change of a competitor between consecutive sections - or any other reason deemed to be valid by the Committee.

8. Late arrivals/re-starts: Late arrivals and Competitors restarting their dances may dance at the end of their Section for a report only, unless the issue proves to be at the fault of the Committee or Theatre equipment which would not be at the fault of the Competitor. Ultimately, both opportunities for presentation would be allowed at the Adjudicator’s discretion, if not counter to any other rule of the Eisteddfod.

9. Report Only: Teachers and Competitors should note that performances danced for a report only will not be considered as contributing toward qualification requirements for Championships, Aggregate or other awards.

10. Entry Fee Refunds: Competitors are not entitled to a refund of fees in cases of non-appearance, regardless of the reason.

11. Combining Sections: The Committee reserves the right to combine similar sections (e.g. Novice/Open) if insufficient entries are received. Sections are only cancelled if no competitors present/enter. If only one competitor presents, they will be awarded a placing as the Adjudicator deems appropriate.

12. Song and Dance sections – Vocal backing. The Committee will not permit music with vocal backing to be used in these sections. This includes vocal content in the dance part of the choreography. Competitor will be immediately disqualified.

13. Performance Music: Please remove old labels/stickers from previous Competitions from covers/Disks!

CDs (DVDs) or MP3 or 4 or on USB These should also be clearly labelled with the competitor’s name. Performance item should be the only track/file on the CD/USB. Please be aware that some “burnt” CDs from home computer equipment may not be able to be read by the theatre’s equipment. This may particularly apply to ‘RW’ CDs copied on computer. When finalised, ensure that the CD can be read in standard CD Player equipment (not DVD only). It is recommended that competitors have a back-up copy of the item should there be a problem with equipment. We further advise working with copies and that you retain the “Master”.

IPod/MP3-4 Players/iPads/Tablets/Phone CCT has the capacity to play from these items through the sound desk, but be aware that audio is played from the bio-box. A representative of the competitor will need to be in attendance to cue and play the item from the box under the guidance of the audio operator.

14. Protests: are to be made in writing within 15 minutes of adjudication and before the beginning of the next section, where possible, and to be accompanied by a deposit of $50.00, which will be forfeited if deemed frivolous.

15. Communication with the Adjudicator/s: It is strictly prohibited for those associated with the Competitors and/or participating dance schools to communicate with the Adjudicator/s during the Competition. The Committee reserves the right to disqualify any person from the competition, being dancers, teachers or other interested parties, following communication with the Adjudicator/s.

16. Item Rehearsal: Rehearsal of any item at the venue must be restricted to the areas set aside for this purpose. Rehearsal on the venue stage will not be permitted.

17. Timing: Please note that items will be timed using the audio equipment or manually. Competitors will be disqualified if they are over the time limit. This may involve disqualification later or to have the music stopped at the expiration of the applicable time limit for the section.

18. Private audio/video recording: The use of video recording equipment and/or cameras by members of the audience is prohibited. Offenders may be removed and recorded material may be forfeited to the Committee, or the competitor/s concerned disqualified. This includes presentations. Teachers entering students should advise their students’ families of this rule.

20. Troupe Minimum: Troupes must have a minimum of 6 members. (any less will dance for a report only).

21. Check your Entries: Competitors presenting for performance in a section for which they have failed to submit an entry will not be permitted to perform. Please check your entries for correctness through the STARDOM invoice.

22. Presentations/Clear Stage: Once a competitor has performed, he or she and those accompanying are to leave the stage area immediately unless asked to remain for the purpose of presentations. All Under 6 Sections, Championships and the Entertainment Section will be presented on stage. Standard sections will be announced in the auditorium for the prizes to be collected from the Check-In Table in the foyer.

23. Authority of the Stage Manager: Competitors, Teachers, Parents and others associated with competitors must obey the directions of the Stage Manager when in the area of the stage. Failure to do so may lead to disqualification of the competitor/group.

24. Coaching during a performance: Coaching competitors from the wings is not permitted. Failure to observe these rules is at the risk of the competitor’s/group’s disqualification. This rule is applied at the discretion/perception of the Stage Manager.

25. Prop Storage: Props must be stored at the direction of the Stage Manager or Committee and be removed from the backstage area as soon as is practicable following the conclusion of the section concerned.

26. Definition of a Teacher: This competition is intended for Students, not Teachers. For this competition, ‘Teachers’ being defined as: Someone who teaches classes or individuals unsupervised and is being paid. Full-time students are permitted to enter.

27. Payment of Fees Owing Sometimes, incorrect calculation of entry fees required causes the Eisteddfod to be in deficit. Payment of any entry fees owing is required prior to the competitor/s taking the stage.

28. Dandenong Festival of Music and Art for Youth Scholarship Section Finalists in the Scholarship must have presented during the Eisteddfod in at least three Open Sections. Previous winners are not able to qualify.

29. Competitors’ ID Passes will not be issued in 2021 as door entry to the theatre is free. In sessions where the audience is at capacity, e.g. Troupe sections, competitors may be requested to not enter the theatre.

30. Championship Entrants Please Note: Each competitor participating in a Championship section must have a representative complete a full rostered position for a session in the days preceding this section or they will forfeit their championship eligibility/entry. No person under the age of 18 can fill any rostered position.

31. Neo-Classical/Contemporary Combined Sections-Novice/Open (for Under 12s) If a competitor has gained a place previously for either of these styles, they must enter the Open section, regardless of the style being presented.

32. Respectful Conduct Casey Comps has a long history of being known as the original “Friendly Eisteddfod”. We achieve this by being welcoming and courteous to all. We expect competitors to demonstrate sportsmanlike and respectful behaviours to each other, to the committee and to the volunteer helpers, and for the audience to show courtesy to all competitors, including not using phones or distracting competitors while they are on stage.