Contemporary Classic

Warner Theater | Torrington, CT

April 6th and 7th, 2024

Contemporary dance is classified as a combination of styles such as the strong technique and leg work of Classical Ballet, the core work of Modern Dance, and the rhythmic style of Jazz. It can also incorporate elements from folk, lyrical, and ethnic dance forms. It is non-restricting and can be anything from Neo-Classical to Modern, Lyrical to Musical Theater.

Contemporary Dance is an important part of a professional company’s repertoire.

Registration Information

Each school will receive a secure online file folder where you can upload music and view competitor registrations.

SCHOOL CODE

Every participating school must have a 3-Digit School Code provided by The Contemporary Classic Team. If your school participated in The Classic from 2018 to the present, your school already has an assigned school code, please contact your school’s administrator for your code.

For New schools participating in the 2024 contemporary competition or you are an Independent competitor, please fill out this form to receive your 3-digit code.

RULES + REGULATIONS

  • Dancers may elect to perform en pointe, in soft shoes, character shoes, or barefoot.

  • All selected pieces must be age appropriate.

  • All costuming must be age appropriate.

  • All entries must not exceed the time limit set for each category.

  • To determine the category in pas de deux, duo/trio, small ensemble, or large ensemble, add the ages of the contestants and divide by the number of dancers in each piece to get the average age.

  • Professional dancers may not compete. A Professional dancer is defined as anyone who is employed as a full-time dancer with a professional dance company on a yearly contract that engages the dancer for at least 26 weeks per year. This also includes dancers who are not currently employed under a contract but have been in the past.

  • Dancers MAY perform in both solo and group pieces but they may not perform more than TWO solos.

  • Entries will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis, and registration will be closed when the quota is reached or one month before the competition, whichever comes first.

  • The Classic reserves the right to use any photo or video recording of the participants’ performances during the competition for promotional purposes.

  • All competitors must retain the rights to all choreography chosen to perform in the contemporary division. The Classic is not responsible for content or permission of such.

MUSIC UPLOAD

Please upload all competition music by Saturday, March 2nd, 2024.

Each track must be renamed using the following format:

Example:  age division-category-name of piece-school code

[Junior-Small Ensemble-Contemporary Classic-000.mp3]

We ONLY accept .mp3 and .m4a files.

You can upload several tracks at a time by selecting multiple tracks and dragging and dropping them into your music folder.  

All uploaded music MUST meet the above requirements.  

JUDGING

  • Judging will be based on technique, artistry, and creativity. Groups will also be judged on presentation, choreography, and overall impression. Each dancer and or group will receive adjudication from the Judges. Scholarships for summer programs will be awarded to top-scoring dancers. A Special Award will be presented for best-choreographed work.

  • The Classic reserves the right to use any photo or video recording of the participants’ performances during the competition for promotional purposes.

  • Entries will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis, and registration will be closed when the quota is reached or one month before the competition, whichever comes first.

Competing helps dancers gain useful feedback from judges, it gives dancers opportunities to perform in front of a live audience and it promotes sportsmanship and camaraderie.

AGE DIVISIONS

To determine the age division for Duo/Trio or Pas de deux, Small Ensemble, or Large Ensemble, add the ages of the contestants and divide by the number of dancers in each piece to get the average age. All ages should be as of January 1, 2024.

Youth Division

Ages 9-11 years (female and male)

Junior Division

Ages 12-14 years (female and male)

Senior Division

Ages 15+ (female and male)

CATEGORIES + TIME LIMITATIONS

Solo(s)

2:30 minutes

Duo/Trio or Pas de deux

(2 -3 dancers) 3:00 minutes

Small Ensemble

(4 to 6 dancers) 4:00 minutes

Large Ensemble 

(7 or more dancers) 4:30 minutes

REGISTRATION FEES

Includes a non-refundable production fee and a complimentary digital copy of your performance

$215 First Entry per dancer

Add $85 for a second entry  per dancer

Add  $75 for a third entry per dancer

Add $65 for a fourth entry per dancer

Add $50 for each additional entry per dancer

VIDEO + PHOTOGRAPHY

All pieces will be filmed and photographed during the competition. A professional digital video will be sent via email and is included in your Registration Fee for each participant.  All competitors will be able to purchase individual photographs at the competition.

DEADLINE

The Contemporary Classic must receive participants’ online registration, and music no later than 30 days prior to the date of the competition, Saturday, March 2nd, 2024. Registrations received after the cut-off date are subject to a late fee. All fees must be paid with registration.

Refunds

The Contemporary Classic has a NO REFUND policy.

In the case of injury, The Contemporary Classic should be notified immediately.

We do not offer refunds, but a partial credit MAY BE applicable with a deduction of production and processing fees. All requests for credit MUST be accompanied by a doctor's note.

If credits are not used within one year of issuing they will be null and void. 

After the March 2, 2024 deadline, NO credits will be issued.