AGE DIVISIONS

Average age of dancers used for group pieces

• 8 and under

• 9-12

• 13-16

• 17 and older

Age is calculated at day of event

JUDGING CRITERIA

• Style/Execution | 25 points

• Staging/Formations | 25 points

• Choreography/Musicality | 25 points

• Overall Impression (appearance, performance, crowd appeal) | 25 points

PERFORMANCE GENRE

That’s right folks - just one genre! Commercial Hip Hop (or New School) is welcome, but versatility is encouraged (e.g. street jazz, house, funk styles, etc).

Routines can incorporate commercial dance styles including various forms of hip hop dance, contemporary, jazz, lyrical, acrobatics, etc., but at least one style of hip hop dance* (e.g. street jazz, house, funk styles, etc) must be included.

*Hip hop dance refers to dance styles, mainly street dance styles, primarily danced to hip hop music, or that have evolved as a part of the hiphop culture.

HOW TO ENTER

New to competing? NO PROBLEM. All dancers and groups welcome - no invitation or qualification needed!

The Monsters A-List competition is great for the hungry dancer looking to grow, as well as the seasoned dancer looking to show off their skills for professional feedback and awards!

To register to compete, simply add your routines to your event registration in your Monsters account!

At each Monsters A-List event, we accept a total of 130 routines and a maximum of 50 solos. A maximum of one solo per dancer is enforced.

We aim to release a tentative competition schedule two weeks prior to to the event. A confirmed competition schedule will be posted on Wednesday prior to the event commencement. 

Solo* | Early: $170 | Reg: $195 | Time Limit: 2:30. **one solo per dancer**

Duo/Trio* | Early: $90 | Reg: $100 | Time Limit: 2:30

Small Group* (4-9 Dancers) | Early: $75 | Reg: $85 | Time Limit: 3:00

Large Group* (10-16 dancers) | Early: $75 | Reg: $85 | Time Limit: 3:00

Line* (17-24 dancers) | Early: $75 | Reg: $85 | Time Limit: 4:00

Production* (25+ dancers) | Early: $75 | Reg: $85 | Time Limit: 5:00

*Where routines exceed time limits, overage fees are charged at $3 per dancer, per additional 30 seconds. These are applied to your Monsters account and payment must be paid prior to registration packet collection.

ADDITIONAL FEES

All routines are subject to a $20 late change fee when additions and changes (including adding routines, music submission, addition/removal of dancers to groups) when changes are made within two weeks of event commencement.

PLACEMENT AWARDS

• All routines will be judged and given feedback from our distinguished panel of Faculty Judges.

• The top 3 in each category and age division will receive placement awards.

• The 3 highest scoring overall Solo/Duo/Trio and the 3 highest scoring overall Group/Line/Production overall routines will be awarded a cash credit to compete their routines at our Summer Finale.

JUDGES’ CHOICE AWARDS

GOLDEN TICKET AWARD

This is awarded to the judges’ overall favorite piece of the weekend and is left up to the judges’ discretion!

Winner receives free routine entry fee for their winning routine at the Summer Finale!

ENTERTAINMENT AWARD

The most entertaining or show-stopping routine of the entire competition will be awarded the Entertainment Award!

Winners receive 50% off Summer Finale routine entry fee for their winning routine!

CHOREOGRAPHY AWARD

This award recognizes the competition’s most creative and versatile choreographer.

Winners receive 50% off Summer Finale routine entry fee for their winning routine!

Golden Ticket, Choreography and Entertainment Award winners will be asked to re-perform their winning routine during the event’s closing ceremony.

All competition routines are eligible to receive Judges’ Choice awards.

MUSIC

• All music must be clean, edited, and appropriate for audiences of all ages.

• Music must be within the time limits published for their routine type (under Fees/Time Limits). Where an overage exists, a music overage fee will be applied to your Monsters account at $3/per dancer, per 30 second overage.

• A total of 5 points will be deducted from any music that the judges find to be inappropriate. Music must be uploaded to your account two (2) weeks prior to the event for pre-approval.

• A $20 late change fee per routine will be charged when music is not submitted prior to two weeks of event commencement.

PROP USAGE

• Any props must be approved by our Monsters A-List team prior to use - please include prop details when registering routines in your online account.

• Competitors have two (2) minutes prior to and following their routine to set/remove props. Judges will take excessive set-up or removal time into consideration when adjudicating; resulting in routines being deemed ineligible to receive placement.

• If the stage is ‘littered’ during a routine, competitors must be prepared to clean it up immediately after the routine is finished.

• The following items are prohibited: use of fire, weapons, alcohol or drug paraphernalia, fog machines and/or hazers, liquids or messy materials, powders, animals, etc.

KEEP IT IN THE HIP HOP FAMILY

The Monsters A-List Competition is a singular genre. Commercial Hip Hop (or New School) is welcome, but versatility is encouraged (e.g. street jazz, house, funk styles, etc).

Routines can incorporate commercial dance styles, including various forms of hip hop dance, contemporary, jazz, lyrical, acrobatics, etc., however, at least one style of hip hop dance* (e.g. street jazz, house, funk styles, etc) must be included.

*Hip hop dance refers to dance styles, mainly street dance styles, primarily danced to hip hop music, or that have evolved as a part of the hip hop culture.

SHOES ARE MANDATORY

For the safety of all performers on the Monsters stage, footwear MUST be worn at all times. Performers will not be allowed onstage or permitted to compete in bare feet or socks.

KEEP IT CLEAN

At Monsters events, we appreciate the wide range of personal expression and creativity offered by different styles and choreography. While we do not wish to stifle anyone’s artistic voice, the Monsters A-List competition is a family event, and routines deemed inappropriate will be penalized. A total of 5 points will be deducted from any routine that the judges find not to be ‘family friendly.’ Disqualification is at the judges' discretion.

OTHER POLICIES

• All competing dancers must be registered for the full convention weekend to be eligible to compete. All competition fees are non-refundable, no exceptions.

• Only one solo per dancer is permitted.

• All competing dancers will receive a Monsters A-List participation gift and professional feedback from our judges.

• Competition may start as early as 2pm on the Friday of a Monsters A-List event.

• Dancers must check in 30 minutes prior to their scheduled performance time at the competition check in station.

• If it is determined at check in that the number of dancers checking in differs from the number of dancers registered to perform, amendments will be made to your routine and where those amendments result in additional fees, the card on file will be charged to settle any balance due.

• Flash photography during competition is not permitted.

• Cash, money orders, checks and credit cards will be accepted for your competition and/or convention registration fees. All payments must be received 30 days prior to the event in order to receive early rates.

• Checks must be received by Monsters no later than three weeks prior to event commencement.

Didn't compete at a regional A-List event? NO PROBLEM. Compete ANY routine at our Summer Finale (no pre-qualification necessary) - add your routines when registering for the Summer Finale convention! A total of 75 routines will be accepted at our Summer Finale event.

All Judge’s Choice award recipients at our regional events receive free/discounted entry to the Summer Finale competition!

Summer Finale competition includes cash prizes and MORE feedback from our professional Choreographer Judges!