ENTRY CONDITIONS

Reviewed May 2026

ARARAT EISTEDDFOD Inc.

Inc. No.  A0041256W

ABN No. 21 149 017 509

President – Claire Homburg.

Secretary/Treasurer – Chris Harris.

Entries Coordinator – Karly Harris.

Email: ararateisteddfod@live.com.au

We review our Entry Conditions annually and it is understood that by entering the Ararat Eisteddfod you have read, understand, and agree to abide by all entry conditions, rules, regulations and Policies of the Ararat Eisteddfod.

Please Note - All entrants, parents, family members and spectators agree to respect and follow the Code of Conduct.  Ararat Eisteddfod does not tolerate inappropriate or unsportsmanlike behavior at any time by students, parents, teachers and guests.  There will be zero tolerance of rude and aggressive behavior. (this includes, but is not limited to foul, rude or abusive language in any context, bullying, threatening or intimidating conduct, discourteous gestures, violent actions of any degree etc.) Those found to be in breach of these rules and Code of Conduct may be excluded for the current and future eisteddfods.

ENTRIES

1. All entries are via STARDOM and must be paid for immediately with credit card to confirm entry.
2. NO LATE ENTRIES UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES.
3. Entries will be open for a set time and close when the number limit is reached. Entry numbers are capped to ensure Ararat Eisteddfod can manage programming restrictions (sessions times, venue spaces and time, etc) Wait list taken by Facebook messenger. (no guarantees of entry)
4. The age on 1^st January, of the current year shall be deemed the age of the competitor.
5. There is no limit to the number of individual items an entrant may compete in, but can only enter once in any section (troupe interchange excluded)
6. Administration Fee is to be paid by each invoice – a separate invoice per family. The administration fee covers stardom fee, copyright, emailed program, and administration costs.
7. Entrants will receive a running sheet at completion of programming and will receive a PDF program electronically, which you will print yourself.Make sure your email address is up to date on STARDOM.We do not have printed programs available at the venue.There is a QR code at the venue for the Troupe program and General program.
8. Correct entry is the responsibility of the entrant (please refer to our Genres document )
9. Competitors must perform the work of the Dance School which is listed on the entry form.
10. NO ITEM IS TO BE REPEATED - Any item (by a competitor or group) is NOT to be performed again in another section. All Abilities entrants may repeat the item they have done in the All Abilities section, when entering age group sections.
11. When entering CHAMPIONSHIP SECTIONS please ensure you have entered the appropriate sections to qualify – qualification conditions at end of this document.
12. When entering duos or trios, the name of each competitor must be given at the time of entry.You cannot enter with a different partner in the same section and must dance in the age group as aligned with the age of the older competitor.

NOVICE SECTIONS

13. A Novice is a competitor who has NEVER won a first, second or third prize in any dance discipline, at any age level, at any recognised dance Eisteddfod or Competition prior to the 1^st of January of the year of the Eisteddfod. (That is if you have ever won a prize for dancing you are not a NOVICE for the purpose of our Eisteddfod.(Prizes gained in an Under 6 section are exempt)
14. A NOVICE cannot repeat their routine in an age group section.

TROUPE SECTIONS

15. Ararat Eisteddfod has special arrangements for Troupes. Our troupe sections are for invited schools only; to ensure we can manage numbers and programming.Invited
16. Troupe Schools will be contacted.

ALL ABILITIES

17. To enter the All Abilities Section please contact us via email ararateisteddfod@live.com.au for entry conditions and information, well before closing to discuss your eligibility, and so we can attend to any specific needs.

AUDIENCE TICKETS

18. Entry to all Solo sessions in 2026 will be FREE.

Troupe Sessions will have an entry fee of $5 per Adult/Conc. CASH ONLY – Under 18 Free. 

Tickets available at the door

REFUNDS

19. Refunds will only be offered if the event is cancelled, however the administration fee is non refundable.
20. If you choose not to attend the competition you will not be entitled to a refund.

COMPETITORS’ OBLIGATIONS

21. All competitors are required to wear tights for every performance.(See separate document)
22. Competitors must book in at the “Registration Table” prior to the start of each session.The Registration Table is located at the end of the Supper-room near the Restricted Door access.
23. If you are not attending our Eisteddfod for any reason, please notify us of your withdrawal as a common courtesy.

MUSIC

24. You will be required to UPLOAD your MUSIC through Stardom by the set date. We will advise via the Ararat Eisteddfod Facebook page of the required dates. (This worked extremely well last year)
25. All music is checked as it is downloaded and contact will be made if there are problems with it not playing.
26. We do NOT accept Late Music uploads and your entry will be withdrawn.– Stardom date and time stamps the spreadsheet for uploads.
27. PLEASE ensure your music is within the time limits.We are under no obligation to contact entrants re overtime music and you will incur a penalty / disqualification for any music over time.
28. You should bring a backup of your music.Ararat Eisteddfod will accept music on USB (MP 3 format) or a device as a back-up to Music uploads.There must be only ONE routine per USB and music should be cut/faded correctly.USB’s should have a Key tag attached carefully labelled with entrants name and routine. USB’s must be formatted correctly – you cannot drag the file straight from i-tunes!!! Phone/ iPod may be used but you should have your own connection.

TIME LIMITS

29. Competitors must perform routines within the time limits.Maximum times

Solo/ duo/ trio dances – 3 mins,

Song & Dance/ Song & Tap solo/duo/trios - 4 mins,

Tap Championship - 4 mins,

Troupes – 5 minutes. 

ADJUDICATORS:

30. The Adjudicators decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.
31. Entrants should not have received regular instruction or regular coaching from the adjudicator in the current year.(please contact us if you are in doubt)
32. Prizes will be at the adjudicator's discretion.Results will be announced at the end of each section and prizes will be awarded on stage immediately after the adjudication.All entrants to present for adjudication and please stay in costume if possible.(Assemble at the stage door in preparation for adjudication with two items to go.)
33. Communication with the adjudicator at any time during the competition by any person other than members of the Ararat Eisteddfod Committee is prohibited. Any breach of this rule could result in disqualification.
34. The committee reserves the right to alter the adjudicator in any section.

COPYRIGHT

35. Ararat Eisteddfod has the appropriate copyright licences and will not be liable for any copyright infringements.

SAFETY AND STAGE RULES:

36. All competitors to perform at their own risk.
37. RESTRICTED AREA - The backstage area which includes the Dressing Rooms is a RESTRICTED AREA.No access for parents/carers of students 10 years plus.Students under 10 may have one parent/carer in the dressing rooms but they cannot go backstage.No EXTRAS will be allowed.See requirement re having a valid/current WWC or VIT
38. WORKING WITH CHILDREN CHECK /VIT registration – All parents of Under 10 students must have a current working with children check (WWCC) or VIT registration; if they wish to enter the backstage dressing room area.This will need to be shown at the registration desk and will be recorded.Please ensure you have the required documentation.
39. Photos are NOT to be taken in the Dressing Rooms.Please be respectful of others. A media wall is provided for the taking of photos for your convenience.
40. CURTAINS - will not be used (except for Troupes)

PROPS

41. Props should be used with safety in mind – no protruding nails which could damage our tarkett. All props will be carried and not slid across the tarkett.Chairs should have protective stoppers.
42. Props will be taken to the backstage area by our volunteers.Do not ask to come and do props for your child, this is a Restricted area.
43. Props will be placed on stage by our volunteers (or your teacher) –restricted area policy.Please do not shout instructions as to prop placement from the audience (it is unprofessional)
44. If your child cannot instruct our volunteers as to where their props are placed please complete a Prop placement plan.
45. Props will be returned to the foyer by our volunteers and should be collected promptly. (venue rule)

THEATRE ETIQUETTE

46. The use of recording devices, mobile phones, cameras, or video cameras and pagers by members of the audience during competition is prohibited.
47. All patrons attending should conduct themselves appropriately and abide by our Code of Conduct and the requests of our committee and volunteers; and must be respectful and polite in response to requests.

Theatre etiquette should be displayed in the auditorium. (do not move while performer on stage, applause for everyone, be encouraging)  Please see our Code of Conduct – displayed at venue

USE OF PHOTOS/RECORDINGS

48. I/We acknowledge the Ararat Eisteddfod Inc. reserves the right to photograph or film any entrant for publicity or promotional purposes, via printed or electronic media.By entry you have automatically agreed to this.Should you require exemption this must be submitted in writing to the committee at least 14 days prior to the competition.

RIGHTS OF COMMITTEE:

49. The Committee reserves the right to amend or refuse any entry and to cancel or otherwise amend sections in which in its opinion, insufficient or excessive entries are received.
50. THE COMMITTEE’S DECISION ON ANY SUBJECT IS FINAL.

SPONSORSHIPS/ADVERTISING

51. Sponsorship is important for the running of the Ararat Eisteddfod.We are extremely grateful to all our sponsors and donors.If you know of any business or individual who would be interested in Sponsorships, please contact us at ararateisteddfod@live.com.au

CHAMPIONSHIP SECTION RULES

Junior – 10years and under 14years

Senior – 14years and over

Ballet Championships

Junior/Senior  - A classical solo ONLY to be performed.  ITEM MUST NOT BE A REPEAT SOLO.

3 minutes time limit.

To qualify competitors must compete in their age group classical solo and one other age group ballet genre solo (character, neo, lyrical or contemporary)

Tap Championships

Junior/ Senior - one tap solo consisting of equal parts slow and speed tapping to be performed.  There should be a distinctive contrast of slow and fast in music and tap rhythms. 

4 minute time limit (2mins slow and 2mins speed). No lyrics or tap sounds are to be on the music track.

To qualify competitors must compete in their age group tap solo and one other age group theatrical genre solo (jazz, song & dance, song & tap,)

Jazz Championships

Junior/ Senior - one jazz solo only to be performed.  ITEM MUST NOT BE A REPEAT SOLO. Any jazz style BUT NOT HIP HOP.

3 minute time limit.

To qualify competitors must compete in their age group jazz solo and one other age group theatrical genre solo (tap, song & dance, song & tap, hip-hop)

Modern Championships

Junior/ Senior - one modern solo only to be performed. Any modern style can be performed. ITEM MUST NOT BE A REPEAT SOLO.

3 minute time limit

To qualify competitors must compete in two of the following in their age group - neo-classical or contemporary or lyrical

VARIATION SECTION.

Two age groups –             Junior - 10years and under 14 years

Senior - 14 years and over.

There are no qualification pre-requisites for this section.

Competitors will perform a classical variation of their choosing appropriate to their age and skill level and they should be costumed appropriately.

May be performed on flat or pointe.