MIDWEST ONLINE PACKET

Registration Fee: $30 per dancer
Registration Fee Deadline: Wednesday, March 29, 2023
Registration fee includes official Prelude Midwest shirt.
Note: In order to keep a concise record of which teams have sent in their registration fees, please only send ONE payment per team. In the memo section, signify which team it is and how many dancers you’re paying for.

*The director/contact person whose name you write in Row 1 of the Roster will have his/her fee waived. Only one (1) fee waived per team.

Ways to pay the Registration Fee:

Time Limit:
6 minutes maximum. NO EXCEPTIONS. Violations will be subject to score deductions.

Music:
6 minutes maximum.
Music may NOT contain inappropriate or offensive language. Violations will be subject to score deductions. See “Guidelines for Competition Teams” Tab. Music must be emailed ahead of time to be screened for time length and inappropriate or offensive language.

Prizes:

• First, second, and third place teams will be announced at the end of the show!
• The team who wins First Place will receive a Champion banner and plaque and a cash prize of $1000. Second and Third Place banners and plaques will be awarded to the respective teams.
• Hip Hop International: The team with the highest score between the first place team of the Adult division and Junior division will receive a special invitation to compete in the USA Hip Hop Dance Championship and a chance to qualify to compete at World Hip Hop Dance Championship in Phoenix, AZ over the summer of 2022. Registration fees for USA Hip Hop Dance Championship will be waived, an approximate value of $4000. 

The dance style for this competition is mainly, but not limited to, hip-hop/street style dance forms. Various dance styles may be incorporated in your team’s routine, but hip-hop/street style dance form must be the majority style. The use of themes and props is encouraged but not required.

NEW CATEGORIES AND ADDITIONS TO THE JUDGING PROCESS:

1. Foundation/ Street Dance Forms Category
2. Deductions
3. Automatic Disqualifications

1) FOUNDATION/ STREET DANCE FORMS CATEGORY

To honor Black Culture, African Diaspora and the roots of Hip Hop/Street Dance, a new category is added to the scoring criteria. Competing teams are REQUIRED to incorporate three (3) foundation/street/club dance art forms in their routine (incorporating more than three (3) foundation/street/club dance art forms is allowed).

Your team must perform a minimum of four (4) 8-counts (32 counts) or 1 phrase PER foundation/street/club dance art forms.

Teams must submit a list of the 3 foundation/street/club dance art forms that is incorporated in their routine. If your team incorporates more than 3 dance forms, also list those forms as well.
DEADLINE TO SUBMIT DANCE FORMS/STYLES LIST: Wednesday, April 27, 2023

This new required category will account for 10% of your teams total score. The maximum amount of points a team can receive in this category is Ten (10) points.

• Six (6.0) points – Three (3) or more dance forms
• Four (4.0) points – Two (2) dance forms
• Two (2.0) points – One (1) dance form
• One (1) – Four (4) points – Performance and execution of dance form(s)
  • The foundation/ street dance forms Judge will assess how well these foundation/street/club dance art forms are executed and performed and will score accordingly. 

Here is a list of foundation/ street dance forms to choose from:

• • Hip Hop
    • (Elements of Hip Hop Dance Forms: BOUNCE, ROCK, WAVE, ROLL, HOP, SKATE)
    • Hip Hop Social & Party Dances (Cabbage Patch, Running Man, Rodger Rabbit, etc.)
    • New Jack Swing
    • Hyphy
    • Jerkin’
    • Cranking
  • Lite Feet
  • Locking
  • Popping
    • Animation
    • Strutting
    • Boogaloo
    • Strobing
    • Bopping
    • Scarecrow
  • B-boying/b-girling
  • House
  • Krump
  • Clowning
  • Vogue
  • Whacking/Waacking (Punking)
  • Chicago Footwork
  • Jersey Club/Baltimore Club
  • Jit
  • Beat Ya Feet
  • Memphis Jook
  • Flexing
  • Dancehall
  • Majorette Dance Forms
    • J-Setting
    • Bucking
  • Authentic Vernacular Jazz
    • Lindy Hop
    • Tap/Hoofing
    • Charleston

2) DEDUCTIONS

Head Judge will assess for deductions in all routines by competing teams.

Here is the list of deduction criteria and the corresponding points that will be subtracted from the total score:

• Cultural Appropriation: 2 pt deduction
  • Use of themes, costumes, objects or elements of a non-dominant culture in a way that doesn’t respect their original meaning, give credit to their source, or reinforces stereotypes or contributes to oppression.
• Fall, Trip-Major (per occurrence): .1 pt deduction
• Fall, Trip-Minor (per occurrence): .05 pt deduction
• Music Length (mix is longer than stated in the guidelines): .1 pt deduction
• Lewd Gestures: .1 pt deduction
• Inappropriate Clothing: .05 pt deduction
• Wardrobe Malfunction (per occurrence): .05 pt deduction
• Prop Malfunction (per occurrence): .05 pt deduction
• Excessive use of gymnastics, acrobatics: .05 pt deduction

3) AUTOMATIC DISQUALIFICATION
NOT ALLOWED ON STAGE DURING PERFORMANCE. Failure to follow these safety measures WILL result in automatic disqualification:

• The use of fire, flames, anything flammable, pyrotechnic devices and smoking.
• Any liquids, wet paint, lotion, baby oil (mineral oil), glitter, baby powder or talcum powder that can adversely affect the dancing surface.
• Dry ice, fog machines, vaping or vaping products.
• Balloons filled with helium.
• If stage is littered after your performance your team will be responsible for an immediate and expeditious removal of any debris.
• Knives and swords
• Live animals
• Food

JUDGING PROCEDURE:
The judging panel consist of 3 Performance Judges and 1 Head Judge.

• Performance Judges:
  • Performance Judges will view, critique and score each competing team’s overall routine according to the performance categories (routine, execution, presentation) and their respective criteria.
  • Voice critiques: Performance Judges will now give voice critiques instead of written critiques. Performance Judges will simultaneously give voice critiques recordings while competing teams are performing.
  • Scoring: Scores will be given at the end of each competing teams routine.

• Head Judge:
  • Overview, assess, and score Foundation/ Street Dance Forms category.
  • Assess for and give deductions in all routines.
  • Overview and assess for any automatic disqualifications.
  • Scoring and deductions: Scores and deductions will be given at the end of each competing teams routine.

JUDGING CATEGORIES:

Highest possible score is 100 points

• Routine (40%) – Scoring range between 31-40
• Execution (30%) – Scoring range between 21-30
• Presentation (20%) – Scoring range between 11-20
• Foundation/ Street Dance Forms (10%) – Scoring range between 1-10

See sample judges scoring sheet HERE.

Directors of each competing team will be given their team’s score sheets immediately following the competition.

Voice critique recording will be emailed to the directors of each competing team no later than 2 days after the competition.

Judging Criteria Within Each Category:

Head Judging Categories:

Here is a list of required materials and its deadline:

1. Shirt List/Roster Form – WEDNESDAY, MARCH 29, 2023
2. Youth Waiver Form – WEDNESDAY, MARCH 29, 2023
3. Prelude Acknowledgement Form – WEDNESDAY, MARCH 29, 2023
4. Access Check-In Form (if needed) – WEDNESDAY, MARCH 29, 2023
5. Team Bio, Photo, and Cheer Video – WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5, 2023
6. Final Music Mix – WEDNESDAY, April 26, 2023
   
7. Lighting Cues Form – WEDNESDAY, April 26, 2023
   
8. Foundation/Street/Club Dance Art Forms List – WEDNESDAY, April 26, 2023

1) Shirt List/ Roster Form – Deadline: WEDNESDAY, MARCH 29, 2023

You will be given access to a Google Sheet – please use it to list your roster. After the deadline you will no longer have access to edit, but you will still be able to view. You will also be required to sign a waiver form on the day of Prelude.

The Director or Captain for each team must sign a Prelude Acknowledgement Form stating that they have read and understood the Policies and Procedures, Performance Guidelines, and Judging Criteria and will abide by them.

The Director or Captain must acknowledgement that they shared the Policies and Procedures, Performance Guidelines, and Judging Criteria with their dance team. All their dance team members must read and understood the said Policies and will abide by them.

Please Fill out and Sign the Form HERE

4) Access Check-In Form (if needed) – Deadline: WEDNESDAY, MARCH 29, 2023

Please Fill out the Access Check-In Form HERE
Each team must fill out an Access Check-In Form ahead of time.
This Access Check-In Form will inform us if any of your dancers on your team people needs special access. This is a useful way to value access and destigmatize it in an ableist culture that hides, shames and individualizes access.

Upload your materials in your team folder via Google Drive! If you are a first time user, please see the instructions below.
Existing Google Accounts will already have a folder shared with them from Prelude Dance Competition.
NOTE: It is highly recommended that you submit your materials early so that you have time to make adjustments if necessary! 

5) Team Bio, Photo and Team cheer – Deadline: WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5, 2023

• Team Biography: Please upload your biography to Google Drive in a Word Document format. (500 characters max)
• Team Photo: Please upload a high-resolution team photo or team logo to Google Drive.
• Cheer Video: Please upload your cheer video to your team’s assigned Google Drive folder. This video will be played as part of your introduction, before your set starts. It should be no longer than ten (10) seconds, and must be compatible with both Windows and MacBook OS.

6) Music Mix, Lighting, and Props – Deadline: WEDNESDAY, April 26, 2023

• Music: The time limit is six (6) minutes. NO EXCEPTIONS. Please upload your mix to Google Drive.
  • Teams who bring music longer than six (6) minutes on the day of the event will be subject to score deductions and possibly disqualification.  
  • Music may NOT contain inappropriate or offensive language. Violations will be subject to score deductions. See “Guidelines for Competition Teams” Tab.
  • Music must be one (1) continuous track.
  • Music may not contain inappropriate or offensive language. Violations will be subject to score deductions.
  • MP3 and MP4 files accepted.
• Lighting: Lighting Form: https://forms.gle/Yser5mpfA5wAYZMk7
• Props: If you plan on using any props or have any special requirements (such as starting off stage, special lighting, etc.), it must be discussed and cleared with the Operations Director (Victor Lugo, preludemw@gmail.com) prior to the deadline.

7) Lighting Cue Form – Deadline: WEDNESDAY, April 26, 2023

• Your team is allowed 4 lighting cues to enhance your team’s routine.
• Please fill out the lighting cue form HERE

8) Foundation/Street/Club Dance Art Forms List – Deadline: WEDNESDAY, April 26, 2023

• Please list the 3 foundation/street style/club dances art form that is incorporated in your team’s routine. If your team incorporates more than 3 dances forms, please list those as well
• Please list foundation/street style/club dances HERE

Google Drive Instructions (for first-time users) 

1. Create a Google account: https://accounts.google.com/SignUp
2. ***IMPORTANT*** Once you have created your google account, send an e-mail from this account to preludemw@gmail.com
3. You will receive an email notification from Google that Prelude Communications has shared a folder with you entitled “Prelude Midwest 2023″ | (Your Team Name)”.
4. Click the blue button “open”
5. In the top bar, click the drop-down button labeled “Prelude Midwest 2023 | (Your Team Name)” and click “Add to My Drive.”
6. Upload the files by either dragging to the window, or clicking the “New” button on the left-hand side and then clicking “File upload.”

Backstage Access Wristbands must be worn at all times.
Only those with wristbands will be allowed backstage at any point during the day. NO EXCEPTIONS.

• Due to Covid-19, backstage dressing rooms are only to be used for quick change into costumes or to put on make-up. VENUE DRESSING ROOMS ARE NOT TO USED AS A DANCER HANG-OUT AREAS NOR CAN BAGS AND COSTUMES BE LEFT IN THE DRESSING ROOMS.
• Only those who are listed on a Team Roster AND have paid the Registration Fee will be given Backstage Access Wristbands. They will also be required to sign a Waiver/Release Form on the day of competition.
• If a chaperone is required for a minor (under 18 years of age), please have the attending chaperone AND minor sign the Waiver/Release Form. All chaperones must be listed on the Team Roster and cleared prior to the day of the show or run the risk non-entry. (See Roster)
• Contact a Runner immediately if anyone on your team loses his/her wristband.
• Anyone caught without a wristband in the backstage/dressing room area by Event Security or Prelude Staff will be asked to leave immediately and will not be allowed back.
• In order to minimize the possibility of backstage theft (which unfortunately has occurred at previous Preludes), this wristband rule will be STRICTLY enforced.

PRELUDE DANCE COMPETITION, ITS HOST TEAM OR THE VENUE/THEATER IS NOT LIABLE FOR DAMAGE OR THEFT OF PERSONAL PROPERTY OR ITEMS. IT IS ADVISED THAT YOU DO NOT BRING OR LEAVE VALUABLE ITEMS IN YOUR BAG.

*DAY OF SCHEDULE IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE. YOUR TEAM WILL BE NOTIFIED IF CHANGES ARE MADE.

• COVID-19 SAFETY PROTOCOLS:
  • Masks will be optional at this event
  • If you are feeling COVID-like symptoms around the time of this event, please do not attend.

10:00AM – Check-In Begins
All teams must check-in 90 minutes before their tech time. (Early arrival is highly encouraged to ensure that your team will not miss your tech!) Each dancer must bring photo identification (e.g. driver’s license, school ID, passport) to present at check-in. All dancers will be required to sign a Waiver/Release Form. Failure to check-in by your assigned time runs the risk of non-entry.

10:30-3:00PM – Tech Rehearsals

• Tech will run strictly from 12:30 PM – 3:30 with the last tech time running at 3:30 PM. Each team will be given ten (10) minutes for staging and run-through.
• Each team must have a majority of their members present and ready at scheduled tech time. (We will provide you with diligent runners to help keep track of time!) 
• Teams who miss their tech WILL NOT receive another time slot. NO EXCEPTIONS. 
• Any changes to a team’s scheduled tech time will be communicated to the team’s contact person well in advance. (Please make sure all contact information is correct!)

NOTE: The Competition and Tech Time Lineup will be e-mailed to all teams no later than MONDAY, MAY 1, 2023.

3:00PM – House Meeting
During the House Meeting, the Prelude Committee will go over rules not covered by the Runners, concerns raised during tech rehearsal, as well as answer questions. We encourage your entire team to be present and punctual at the House Meeting. (You don’t want to miss roll call!)

4:00PM – Doors open

5:00PM – Show begins

Is your team ready for Prelude Midwest 2023?
Use this checklist to make sure! Reference this list on the day of competition just to make sure you have completed everything.

• COVID-19 SAFETY PROTOCOLS:
  • Masks will be optional at this event
  • If you are feeling COVID-like symptoms around the time of this event, please do not attend.

PRELUDE PREP:

• It is highly recommended that you submit your materials early so that you have time to make adjustments if necessary.
• Shirt List/Roster Form – WEDNESDAY, MARCH 29, 2023
• Youth Waiver Form – WEDNESDAY, MARCH 29, 2023
• Prelude Acknowledgement Form – WEDNESDAY, MARCH 29, 2023
• Access Check-In Form (if needed) – WEDNESDAY, MARCH 29, 2023
• Team Bio, Photo, and Cheer Video – WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5, 2023
• Final Music Mix – WEDNESDAY, April 26, 2023
  
• Lighting Cues Form – WEDNESDAY, April 26, 2023
  
• Foundation/Street/Club Dance Art Forms List – WEDNESDAY, April 26, 2023
• Follow Prelude Midwest Instagram important updates!

DAY OF PRELUDE:

• Arrive at least ninety (90) minutes before Tech Time.
• Check in! Tell your dancers to have their photo IDs ready at check-in.
• Remember to attend the mandatory House Meeting
• Use the hashtags “#preludemidwest2023” for posting on social media!