The Orillia Opera House Dance Festival
is operated under the City of Orillia, Department of Culture and Heritage.

RULES AND REGULATIONS

PLEASE READ THESE CAREFULLY

• The Orillia Opera House Dance Festival 2012 reserves the right to refuse individual or studio entries at their discretion, in which even the fees submitted, will be refunded.  REFUNDS WILL NOT BE MADE FOR ANY OTHER REASON.
• The Orillia Opera House Dance Festival staff reserves the right to combine or split classes in any style, category or age division as they see fit.
• There is no limit to the number of entries that a studio may submit with the following exceptions:
• Each routine may only be entered once from each studio
• A competitor may not compete more than once in the same age group, same style of dance.  A competitor wishing to perform a second routine in the same dance style must enter one of their routines in a higher age level.
• A competitor making a second start, not due to technical problems, will receive an adjudication of their efforts, but no mark.
• Costuming is left to the discretion of the studios, however we do request that it be “family friendly” in nature.
• Scenery may only be used if it is freestanding and is removed from the backstage area IMMEDIATELY upon completion of that routine.  EACH STUDIO IS ENTIRELY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PROPS THEY BRING.  IF YOU CANNOT CARRY IT, YOU CANNOT USE IT!!! No props that could provide a danger (knives, swords, fire, helium, balloons, live animals, etc.) will be allowed.  The throwing of liquids, confetti, glitter, etc. or special effects, (dry ice, strove or theatrical lighting), will not be permitted.  If the stage floor is littered during your performance, be prepared to clean it up.
• NO CAMERAS, VIDEO CAMERAS OR RECORDING DEVICES OF ANY KIND WILL BE PERMITTED DURING PERFORMANCES.  Competition will cease until the camera has been put away and the offending photographer may be asked to vacate the Auditorium.
• Last-minute substitution of dancers will be permitted in Duet and larger classes only.  24-hour notice and permission of the Dance Festival Coordinator is required.  The substitute dance must meet age requirements or the class will be moved accordingly.
• No “coaching” from backstage or the wings will be permitted during a performance for classes other than JUNIOR Pre-Competitive and JUNIOR Novice.
• If, at any time, the issue of a competitor’s age come into question, a formal WRITTEN challenge will be accepted by the Festival Coordinator, with an accompanying $200.00 “Challenge Fee”.  If the competitor in question is unable to provide valid verification of age to the Coordinator within 24 hours, the competitor shall be disqualified and the money refunded to the challenging studio.  If proof of age is provided and accepted, the “Challenge Fee” will be forfeited by the studio to the Orillia Opera Dance Festival Scholarship Fund.
  

• ONLY FESTIVAL STAFF, TEACHERS AND DANCERS will be permitted in the backstage and dressing room areas during performance times.  All teachers and dancers must enter through the Mississaga Street door.  Dancers MAY NOT gain access to the Auditorium through the backstage area unless involved in a performance within the next 30 minutes.
• PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS NOT INVOLVED IN ASSISTING DANCERS MAY WAIT DOWNSTAIRS FOR THEIR CHILDREN.  THEY WILL NOT BE PERMITTED TO WAIT IN THE DRESSING ROOM AREAS – NOR IN THE STUDIO THEATRE REHEARSAL SPACE.
• ABSOLUTELY NO REHEARSAL will be permitted in the backstage area.  Stretching and warm-ups will be allowed in areas designated by Festival staff. Please be prepared to share dressing rooms, rehearsal and backstage space with all other dancers.  Rehearsal space is provided in the Studio Theatre, downstairs, on the main floor of the Opera House and this, too, must be shared.
• Please be prepared to dance 30 minutes prior to the schedule time.  It is possible to be ahead of schedule and should this occur, we will move forward.
• STUDENTS OF DANCE WHO ABUSE THE ORILLIA OPERA HOUSE OR ITS REGULATIONS WILL AUTOMATICALLY BE DISQUALIFIED FROM ALL REMAINING DANCE CLASSES FOR THIS YEAR AND POSSIBLY FOR FUTURE COMPETITIONS.  IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE ENTIRE STUDIO, IN THESE CIRECUMSTANCES, TO BE DISQUALIFIED – AT THE DISCRETION OF THE FESTIVAL STAFF.
• Teachers and competitors give permission for their names and standing to be published in the local media and on the Orillia Opera House website, upon entering any Orillia Opera House Dance Festival classes.
• The decision of the Adjudicators is final.  The manner and method of judging will be solely within the discretion of the Festival staff.
• All matters not dealt with in the published rules and regulations, shall be referred to the Festival staff, in writing, whose decision shall be final.

A little time spent on understanding these rules and regulations with your students and their families will go a long way to helping us make this the positive experience that we all want for 2012!!!
Thank you.