(Reg No. A0022401N)

Since 1991

West Gippsland Arts Centre, Civic Place, Warragul

Friday 19 September to Sunday 28 September, 2025    

Adjudicators:

To be announced

ENTRIES OPEN: Saturday 3 May and close Sunday 15 June

via stardom.com.au

ALL ENQUIRIES: via email to entries@wgdf.com.au

Or online via: www.westgippslanddancefestival.org.au

• Entries may close earlier if capacity is reached
• The running sheet will be available on our website
• Please check your invoice via Stardom for split sections
• All music must be submitted via electronic music file upload system at least 2 weeks prior to the competition.

The festival committee will endeavour to age-block as much as possible.

Troupes will be held on Saturday 20 & Sunday 21 September 2025.

Solos and Duos/Trios

Troupes

Improvisations

* Please note: National and Hip Hop solo sections do not qualify for championship sections

* Please note: Rule 40 for qualification of all championship sections

Genre Expectations

Classical – The performer focuses on their classical technique using formalized movements and positions 
of their arms, feet and body, designed to enable them to move with the greatest possible agility, 
control, speed, lightness, and grace to a piece of classical dance music. A classical costume, such as a tutu and ballet shoes must be worn.

Variation – An excerpt from a Classical Ballet.

Demi Character/Character – a dance using classical ballet technique to represent a character.

Neo-Classical – allows performers to use their classical ballet technique to dance to modern music in 
a costume suited to the mood.

Lyrical – The performer uses their dance skills, technique, expression and feeling through their body 
movements and face to connect with and relay the story or theme and mood of the piece of music.

Modern – Modern jazz style of dance which may include jazz, Broadway jazz, musical theatre/comedy or disco (solo/duo sections). Music and costumes should be suited to the style of dance chosen.

Contemporary – Contemporary dance is a style of expressive dance that combines elements of several 
dance genres including modern, jazz, lyrical and classical ballet. Contemporary dancers strive to connect 
the mind and the body through fluid dance movements. Contemporary dance stresses versatility and 
improvisation, unlike the strict, structured nature of ballet. Contemporary dancers focus on floor work, using 
gravity to pull them down to the floor. 

Song & Dance – The performer must sing a portion of the performance to showcase their vocal ability and 
dance in a style that suits the music chosen. Song and soft shoe or song and tap are allowed in this section.

Tap dance is a form of dance characterized by using the sounds of tap shoes striking the floor as a form of 
percussion.

National Dance - generally, a type of dance that is a native to a country or region, usually recreational and an expression of a past or present culture. 

Hip Hop - is a range of street dance styles primarily performed to hip hop music.  It is vibrant form of dance that combines a variety of freestyle movements to create a cultural piece of art. 

*In the case of an aggregate being tied between two or more winners, an alternative prize maybe determined by the committee

2025 West Gippsland Dance Festival

ALL ENTRIES ARE SUBJECT TO THE FOLLOWING RULES

1. The Adjudicator’s decision is final. 
2. All competitors will dance completely at their own risk. 
3. The Committee will not accept late entries and there will be no alteration to any entry after the running sheet is made public. 
4. The Committee reserves the right to refuse entries. 
5. The Committee reserves the right to request proof of age at any time. 
6. Competitors entering solo sections shall only enter their own age group in either open or novice sections – not both 
7. Any Competitor placed 1^st or 2^nd or 3^rd in any competition in the past 3 years (from May 3rd, 2022 until May 2nd 2025) must dance in the Open section of the genre they danced in.
8. Teachers or a Parent will be allowed side stage during their student’s/child’s item. 
9. A competitor who stops and leaves the stage during an item can reappear for a “crit” only, unless it was through no fault of their own. Dancing for a crit only in a qualifying section will not achieve eligibility for championship sections. Dancers will not be permitted to reappear for crit only in Championship sections.  
10. Age of competitors participating in ALL SECTIONS (SOLOS / DUOS / TRIOS and TROUPES) to be determined as at 1^st January of the competition year. 
11. Competitors may appear only once in any section including Duos/Trios and Troupes. Competitors participating in Duos/Trios can only enter one age group in each style of dance. 
12. Competitors are not entitled to a refund of fees in cases of non-appearance in any section. 
13. Where only one competitor presents, they will be adjudicated to such standard which the Adjudicator deems appropriate. 
14. The Committee reserves the right to disqualify any person who communicates with the adjudicator during the course of the competition. 
15. Time limits will be strictly adhered to or face disqualification – timing of dance commences from start of music or movement, whichever comes first, and finishes at end of movement, music or leaving stage. Music tags must be included in time limits. 
16. All competitors participating in Championships and Scholarship Section, are required to be present on stage for presentation, failure to appear will result in disqualification. The classical championship section will include a class chosen by the adjudicator and may include a contemporary component.  
17. Troupes must contain a minimum of 6 members.  
18. Props may be used in all sections but should be kept to a minimum. Dangerous props will not be allowed.   
19. Sections can be combined at the Committee’s discretion, if there are insufficient entries. 
20. Personal requests from individuals for specific or preferred days or times to perform during the festival WILL NOT be considered. 
21. Protests must be made in writing, signed by the protester and lodged at the Secretary’s table not more than 10 minutes after the adjudication. Protests must be accompanied with a deposit of $20.00 which will be forfeited should the Committee deem the protest frivolous. 
22. Background vocal or non-competing side stage assistance is not permitted whilst competitors are singing in Song & Dance sections – this will result in disqualification. 
23. All music must be submitted via electronic music file upload system at least 2 weeks prior to the competition. The Committee may not accept changes to or replacements of the uploaded versions of music once the competition has commenced. Performers must bring a back-up copy of their music on CD, iPod, or USB for all performances. The Committee will only use backup media formats (such as CD, USB) if there are technical difficulties. 
24. Students taught by the Adjudicator, on a regular basis for greater than 10 weeks within the past 12 months, will not be eligible to enter this competition. 
25. All competitors must check-in prior to the start of the section.   
26. Students must perform on stage in order as per the program. 
27. The Committee reserves the right to appoint another adjudicator should the need arise. 
28. Blackouts will only be used at the discretion of the stage manager in solo and duo sections. 
29. This competition is open to Amateurs Only.  “Amateur” to mean one whose regular income or part thereof is not derived from dancing/teaching.  Students under the age of 17, registered in full time academic studies are exempt from this rule. 
30. “Student Teachers” who are instructing no more than 4 students in private lessons, and/or who are assisting in class with a teacher present at all times may dance as Amateurs. Teachers are not permitted to perform at this festival. Anyone listed on a dance school website/Facebook etc as a teacher will be deemed as that and must not take to the stage in any section. This includes troupe sections. 
31. Cameras and recording equipment are not permitted to be used in the auditorium or backstage whilst competitors are performing, except for those given express permission by the Committee.
32. The Committee will not be responsible for lost items. (Lost item enquiries to be made to the Admissions Desk) 
33. Due to copyright laws – all dancers must have the permission of the choreographing teacher to perform dance/s.  The Committee will not be liable for any copyright infringements. 
34. In the event of a draw occurring in an Aggregate award, a trophy will be awarded to each winner. 
35. No person under 18 years of age can assist with roster positions. 
36. Current fulltime dance students may only enter the Scholarship Section. A student is classified full time if they are enrolled and attending a certified/accredited full time course regardless of whether they attend academic school as well. They will not be eligible to enter any other section listed on the entry form with the exception of Troupes.  Competitors in this section are exempt from Rule 29 and 30.  These sections will only be run if sufficient entries are received – subject to the committee’s discretion. 
37. Past full time students who have now returned to regular school and after school dance lessons are eligible to enter all sections having ceased full time dance studies as at 31st December of the previous year of the current Festival. This only applies to students aged 18 years of age and under. 
38. A competitor who has entered under a specified school at time of entries closing may NOT perform at the festival under a different school.  Students may only perform under the school as it appears on their entry form.  Please note: changes cannot be made after the closing date of entries. 
39. In the event of an accident or illness, an ambulance may be called. Any associated cost incurred will be charged to the parent. Ambulance subscription is recommended. 
40. Each competitor participating in a Championship section must have a representative complete a FULL rostered position in the days preceding this section or they will forfeit their championship eligibility/entry. No requests to change will be facilitated by the WGDF. No persons under the age of 18 can fill any rostered position.  
41. Competitors in the 12 & Under Classical Variation section are strictly prohibited from performing en pointe.
42. Troupe Listings. All schools entering troupes must present to the Festival Secretary a list of all troupe members (in age groups), together with the name and date of birth of each competitor. Please use entries@wgdf.com.au. Complimentary competitor’s passes will not be provided unless the troupe list reaches the committee by close of entries. A competitor’s pass may not entitle entry to the theatre for all sections and competitors may be asked to vacate if insufficient seats for paying customers.  
43. Costumes, choreography and musical lyrics must be appropriate for a family audience. The adjudicator or secretary’s desk will have authority to govern what is deemed inappropriate, which will result in performing for a crit only. 
44. Tights must be worn by the competitor in all items where the costume has a brief (leotard) style leg. Competitors wearing a boyleg style costume may do so with bare legs, but the length of the costume must ensure modesty. This rule applies to solos, duos/trios and troupes and will be overseen by the stage manager. Non-adherence to this rule will result in the competitor not being permitted to perform. 
45. By entering The West Gippsland Dance Festival all competitors, parents, family members and spectators agree to respect all other participants and staff at our event. 
46. Any audience member whose conduct is off-putting to competitors will be asked to leave and if they are also a competitor they could face disqualification. Inappropriate behaviour will not be accepted at any time. 
47. The privacy of competitors’ personal details will be respected and will not be shared with third parties other than authorised businesses associated with the festival. 
48. The Committee can make any changes before and during the Festival as needed to comply with COVID-19 requirements. 
49. Competitors waiting side stage must not enter the wings until the completion of the previous competitors' routine. 
50. Dance studios may be liable for a minimum $300 fee for cleaning and repairs for any untidiness or damage in the change rooms. 
51. The above rules are set at the Executive Committee’s discretion.