Official Policies
Everything studios, dancers, and parents need to know — rules, judging, scoring, and awards.
All studios, dancers, and attendees are expected to follow the rules and guidelines outlined below to ensure a professional, fair, and positive competition environment.
Competition Authority. The It Factor Dance Competition reserves the right to interpret, modify, or enforce all rules and policies as necessary to ensure a fair, safe, and professional event. Any situation not specifically addressed within these rules shall be resolved at the sole discretion of the competition.
Age Divisions. Age is determined as of January 1 of the competition year. All performers must compete in the appropriate age division based on their age at that time.
Time Limits. Solos and duet/trios may not exceed 2 minutes and 45 seconds. Small groups may not exceed 3 minutes. Large groups may not exceed 4 minutes. Lines may not exceed 5 minutes. Productions may not exceed 8 minutes. Routines that exceed time limits may be subject to point deductions.
Music. Music must be uploaded prior to the event through the official registration system. Studios should also bring a backup copy of all music. All music must be age-appropriate and free of explicit language.
Props. Props are permitted as long as they can be carried on and off stage quickly and safely. Excessive setup time may result in point deductions. Any props that could damage the stage or pose a safety risk are not permitted.
Props must fit through standard venue entrances and stage access points and must be capable of being safely transported, set up, and removed without damage to the venue or disruption to the competition schedule.
Costumes. Costumes should be age-appropriate and suitable for a family-friendly environment. Inappropriate costuming may result in scoring deductions at the judges' discretion.
Conduct. All performers must demonstrate respectful behavior backstage and in the performance venue. Unsportsmanlike conduct by dancers, teachers, or parents may result in disqualification.
Photography & Videography. Photography, videography, livestreaming, and recording of performances by audience members are strictly prohibited. This policy helps protect dancer safety, privacy, and choreography rights. Photography and videography are also prohibited in dressing rooms, restrooms, and backstage areas. Violations may result in removal from the venue and/or disqualification at the competition's discretion.
Personal Property. The It Factor Dance Competition is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged personal property, costumes, props, awards, electronics, or other belongings brought to the event.
Group Age Calculation. For duet/trio, group, line, super line, and production routines, the average age of all performers will determine the age division. Average ages are calculated using the age of each performer as of January 1 of the competition year and rounded down to the nearest whole number.
Entry Classification. Studios are responsible for entering routines in the correct age division, level, category, and size division. The competition reserves the right to reclassify or move any entry if it is determined to have been entered incorrectly.
Schedule & Performance Times. The competition schedule is typically released approximately one week prior to the event. All performance times are subject to change. Participants should be prepared to perform up to one hour before or after their scheduled performance time. The competition is not responsible for missed performances due to failure to monitor schedule changes.
Late Arrivals & Missed Performances. Routines not present when called to perform may be subject to forfeiture at the competition's discretion. Every effort will be made to accommodate unforeseen circumstances; however, rescheduling is not guaranteed.
Stage Safety. For the safety of performers and venue facilities, the use of fire, pyrotechnics, live animals, glitter, confetti, powders, liquids, oils, gels, fog effects, weapons, or any hazardous materials is prohibited unless approved in advance by the competition. The competition reserves the right to prohibit any prop or effect deemed unsafe.
Backstage Access. Backstage and dressing room areas are restricted to performers, teachers, approved studio personnel, competition staff, and venue personnel. All participants are expected to maintain a respectful and professional environment in these areas.
Quick Changes & Crossovers. Studios are responsible for managing costume changes, quick changes, and any scheduling conflicts involving performers appearing in multiple routines. The competition cannot guarantee additional time between performances.
Studio Responsibility. Studio directors, instructors, and studio representatives are responsible for ensuring that dancers, parents/guardians, guests, and studio personnel understand and comply with all competition rules, policies, procedures, and registration agreements. The competition reserves the right to take disciplinary action against any participant or attendee who fails to comply with competition policies.
Right to Refuse Service. The It Factor Dance Competition reserves the right to refuse entry, remove participants or attendees, and disqualify routines for conduct deemed disruptive, unsafe, abusive, threatening, or inconsistent with the values and policies of the competition. No refunds will be issued in such cases.
Event Cancellation or Modification. The competition reserves the right to cancel, postpone, relocate, or modify an event due to circumstances beyond its control, including but not limited to severe weather, venue issues, natural disasters, government restrictions, public health concerns, labor disputes, power outages, or other unforeseen events.
Music Responsibility. Studios are responsible for ensuring they have the legal right to use all music associated with their performances. The competition assumes no responsibility for copyright compliance related to music selections.
Registration Agreement. Submission of registration constitutes acknowledgment and acceptance of all competition rules, policies, waivers, and decisions. Failure to comply with competition policies may result in point deductions, disqualification, or removal from the event at the competition's discretion.
Awards & Scoring Corrections. The competition reserves the right to correct clerical, tabulation, or administrative errors related to scoring, adjudications, placements, or awards. Corrected results shall be considered final.
Judges' Decisions. All judges' decisions, scores, critiques, placements, awards, and competition results are final and not subject to appeal.
The Improv Showdown is our signature solo event. It is a separate competition from regular routines, with its own entry, rules, and judging. Dancers may enter the Showdown in addition to their choreographed routines.
Eligibility. Open to any registered dancer. Dancers may enter the Showdown even if they have no other routines registered. All dancers compete in their standard age division (age as of January 1 of the competition year).
Genre. The Showdown features three genres: Jazz, Lyrical, and Contemporary. Dancers will improv to all three — the genres are known in advance, only the song is a surprise.
Music Selection. Music selections are chosen exclusively by the competition and are not disclosed prior to the performance. No previewing of music is permitted.
Time Limit. Each improv performance is 60 seconds. Music will be faded at the time limit.
Format. The Showdown runs as head-to-head bracket rounds within each age division until a single division champion is named.
Competition Format. The number of bracket rounds may vary based on registration numbers and competition scheduling requirements. The competition reserves the right to adjust the format as needed.
Advancement. Advancement is determined solely by the judges' scores for each round. The highest-scoring dancer advances to the next round of competition.
Tie Breaker. In the event of a tie, judges will conduct a review of the tied performances and determine a winner based on overall performance quality, stage presence, and performance impact. Judges' decisions are final.
Elimination. Once eliminated from the bracket, dancers are no longer eligible to advance within that age division's Improv Showdown competition.
Costuming. No costumes — normal dance wear only. Black, tight-fitting pieces are recommended so the judges see the dancer, not the outfit. No props or partners permitted.
Judging. Performances are scored on musicality, originality, stage presence, personality, expression, and technique under pressure — that undeniable It Factor. The Improv Showdown is evaluated independently from the regular competition. Scores earned in the Improv Showdown do not affect routine adjudications, overall awards, or studio awards.
Conduct. All standard competition rules of conduct apply. Judges' decisions are final.
The It Factor Title Competition is an optional add-on opportunity for solo performers who wish to compete for an age division title and special recognition.
Eligibility. Title Competition is open to solo entries only. Dancers must be registered in at least one solo routine and pay the applicable Title Competition entry fee.
Title Divisions. Titles are awarded by age division only. All competition levels within an age division compete together for the title award.
Scoring. No additional performance is required. A dancer's solo performance score will be used to determine title eligibility and placement.
Winner Selection. The highest-scoring Title Competition entrant within each age division will be named the It Factor Champion for that division.
Tie Breaker. In the event of a tie, judges will review the tied performances and determine a winner based on overall performance quality, stage presence, technique, artistry, and entertainment value. Judges' decisions are final.
Awards. Title winners will receive special recognition and awards as determined by the competition.
Eligibility Restrictions. Only dancers officially registered for the Title Competition are eligible to receive a title award, regardless of overall solo placement.
Judges' Decisions. All title results and judges' decisions are final.
All routines are evaluated by a panel of qualified industry professionals. Each routine is scored based on multiple performance elements to ensure a fair and balanced adjudication.
Judges evaluate performances based on technique, execution, performance quality, stage presence, choreography, and overall impression. Each category contributes to the final score.
Judges' decisions are final.
Awards are presented in each age division and performance category. Recognition is given for overall high scores, adjudication levels, and special judges' awards.
Studios and performers compete for overall awards against routines of the same age division, performance size division, and competitive level, unless otherwise announced by the competition.
Additional awards may be given at the judges' discretion for standout performances, entertainment value, technique, or stage presence.
Studios may also be recognized for group achievements, including highest scoring group routines or studio excellence awards, depending on the event.
Overall awards are determined by the highest-scoring routines within each age division, performance size division, and competitive level.
Overall awards may be presented for Solos, Duet/Trios, Small Groups, Large Groups, Lines, Super Lines, and Productions, as applicable.
The competition reserves the right to combine, separate, or modify overall award divisions based on entry numbers to ensure fair and meaningful competition.
Overall award placements are determined solely by judges' scores. Judges' decisions are final.
Registration & Payment. All registration fees, title fees, Improv Showdown fees, and any other applicable charges must be paid in accordance with competition deadlines and registration requirements. Entries may be deemed ineligible to compete if payment requirements are not satisfied.
Withdrawals & Refunds. Refund eligibility, if any, is determined solely by The It Factor Dance Competition's published policies and deadlines in effect at the time of the request. Withdrawal requests must be submitted by the studio director or authorized studio representative. Administrative fees may be non-refundable.
Missed Performances. No refunds, credits, or adjustments will be issued for missed performances resulting from late arrivals, scheduling conflicts, transportation issues, weather-related travel delays, illness, injury, or any other circumstance beyond the competition's control.
Disqualification & Removal. No refunds, credits, or compensation will be issued to any participant, studio, or attendee who is disqualified, removed from the event, or otherwise denied participation due to a violation of competition rules, policies, venue policies, or applicable laws.
Event Cancellation, Postponement, Relocation, or Rescheduling. In the event that a competition is cancelled, postponed, relocated, interrupted, or modified due to circumstances beyond the competition's control, including but not limited to severe weather, natural disasters, public health concerns, venue issues, government actions, labor disputes, power outages, or other unforeseen events, The It Factor Dance Competition reserves the right to reschedule, relocate, modify, or continue the event at a later date and/or alternate venue. The competition will make reasonable efforts to secure a venue of similar quality and to coordinate a replacement date that reasonably accommodates participating studios. The competition reserves sole discretion regarding event modifications, rescheduling, relocation, credits, transfers, or refunds.
Chargebacks & Payment Disputes. Any attempt to reverse, dispute, or charge back valid competition fees may result in suspension of registrations, forfeiture of awards, ineligibility for future events, and recovery of any fees incurred by the competition in connection with the dispute.
Policy Changes. Registration fees, payment policies, deadlines, refund policies, and related procedures are subject to change. The most current version published by the competition shall govern.
All rules, guidelines, policies, procedures, divisions, schedules, awards, fees, and competition information are subject to change. The competition reserves the right to make adjustments as needed to ensure a fair and safe event for all participants.