Competition

• Competitors enter at OWN RISK. ORIGIN and its Directors/Staff accept no responsibility for any accidents or injury to any dancer, audience member or anyone else at any time.
• For age cut off dates, ALL AGES ARE AS AT JANUARY 1 of the competition year (the group age limit is determined by the oldest dancer).
• ORIGIN is a dance competition for amateur dancers only (definition — competitor is not working full time as a dance teacher or performer).
• ENTRIES CLOSE WHEN COMPETITION IS FULL. To assist the office, please submit entries as early as possible online. Online payment will be by PayPal, credit card, or direct debit.
• Enter online via this site. For assistance in entering please contact the ORIGIN office via the address on the contact page.
• Submissions will not qualify or be recognised as an 'entry' until PAID IN FULL by verified funds (particular to bank transfer entries) and ALL necessary information is provided, including: full name of competitor, date of birth and contact information.
• Please let us know if entries are incorrect before the event. We will do our best to correct any mistakes made by entrants.
• The Management Team has the right to amend the program at any time.
• Bullying during the competition is not acceptable and any evidence of such bullying will result in instant dismissal from the competition. Sportsmanlike behaviour is expected at all times. Failure to display proper decorum could result in immediate disqualification. This includes attempting to recruit students from other studios to attend yours at one of our events.
• CHOREOGRAPHY OWNERSHIP — Parents, dancers and teachers/choreographers must all be aware of what routines are being performed on ORIGIN stages. If a student has left a dance studio please ensure you have permission from past choreographers/teachers to be able to continue to perform routines whose ownership may be in question at ORIGIN events. Disputes in regards to this must be mediated and handled with class (outside of social media or the event itself) by the parties involved — but not involving any ORIGIN staff or Directors.

In the event of a venue or government directed cancellation of an event due to anything that affects the running of an event (eg COVID-19), ORIGIN will do the following:

The event will become an online event whereby each dancer will supply a video of each performance to be judged online with audio feedback and the same prizes we would have handed out, mailed to each contestant. This will be well communicated to all competitors.

Please note, ORIGIN events are prepared months in advance. Your entries into our events weeks or months before we run them are invested into an entire year of tour which may include prizes, non-refundable venue deposits, staff travel and accommodation, flooring, judges and their travel, fixtures, administration, etc.

• No refunds are given for change of mind, other commitments, or clash with another competition.
• If a dancer becomes injured, an event transfer will become available, or credit for the following year will apply. Medical proof will be required.
• If ORIGIN is forced to cancel an event (state or federal government direction or venue enforced cancellation) the event will become an online regional and we will accept old videos or newly created studio or home videos from dancers.

For all sessions there may be a small door charge for viewing, unless otherwise directed.

In 2027 we will be printing less paper and doing our bit for the environment. All regional programs will be digital and emailed to registered performers.

BE SAFE and come prepared! Not all venues have the facilities for ice-packs etc.

Each studio (entered in groups) MUST provide their own first aid person, ice, and first aid kit. ORIGIN staff are not responsible for providing any first aid equipment or ice/heat products.

YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR OWN FIRST AID AT ANY EVENT, SOLOISTS INCLUDED.

• No mail in, phone, or fax entries will be accepted, unless authorised by the competition organiser. All entries must be registered online.
• Late entries will be considered at the organiser's discretion.
• Entry fees are non-refundable.
• Groups must consist of at least four competitors.
• 'Age' of a competitor is defined on the entry page.
• The competition is open to 'amateur' competitors (definition — competitor is not working full time as a dance teacher or performer).
• Music, lyrics, costumes and dance content must be age and event appropriate.
• Any one item may be performed once only during the duration of the competition, unless it makes Gala or is requested to perform again.
• The definition of 'FULL TIME DANCE STUDENTS' for the purpose of competing in dance groups in this event will be any dancer who is enrolled in a dance course offering full time education in any dance discipline regardless of actual hours involved. These students are not paid professionals and are still classed as amateur, therefore are still able to compete at our competitions.
• If you enter or part enter, you may be subject to email campaigns (newsletters etc) until you unsubscribe (if necessary).

AGE GROUPS AVAILABLE — 6&U, 8&U, 10&U, 12&U, 14&U, 16&U, Open Age

STYLES AVAILABLE — Jazz, Lyrical, Contemporary, Hip Hop, Musical Theatre/Broadway Jazz, Open, Song & Dance, Tap, Acro, Classical (includes Demi), Production

• Music is submitted online once the program has been finalised with act numbers. We do not accept CDs or USBs at our events anymore.
• All music must be uploaded before the event cut off time, late fees apply.
• All music must be age appropriate and free of any apparent profanity or vulgar language. Disqualification may occur if it is deemed the music is of this nature.
• Time limits stated are maximum allowed. A solo performance is 2.45 minutes, song and dance is 2.45 minutes, duos/trios are 3 minutes, groups are 5 minutes.
• Copyright laws must be adhered to at all times. Entrants must be aware of their copyright responsibilities. ORIGIN is in no way responsible for personal breach of copyright. If in doubt contact APRA & AMCOS. Entrants are responsible for royalty payments if any.
• ORIGIN is not responsible for any music that is not reclaimed at the completion of an event.

• Dancers under the age of 13 (as at January 1 of the year competing) are NOT ABLE to dance in Open Age group categories EXCEPT for Acro and EXCEPT if prior approval by ORIGIN Management — this is mainly for senior routines that are 'senior' in style, just contact us, most acts will be fine.
• The decision of the adjudicator(s)/judge(s) is final.
• While a dancer is eligible to dance up an age group, the dancer is only eligible to receive overall awards (top 10, top 5, runner up, winner, dream jr etc) for their own age group, if they are competing in their own age group at the same competition (i.e. in the program).
• Prompting, except by adjudicator(s)/judge(s), is not permitted.
• Please respect the adjudicator(s)/judge(s) and refrain from speaking to him/her/them during the competition. If you need help with anything related to the adjudicator(s)/judge(s) please see the competition organisers in the first instance.
• Should a competitor leave the stage as a result of having forgotten their routine or the music is corrupted, they will be asked to perform again just once. If the track has less than 30 seconds left the judge will be asked if what they saw was sufficient, and no repeat will be necessary.
• No microphones to be used in any section, unless Directors decide to use them at a particular event.
• All performances must be on the stage provided. No jumping off the stage or audience participation is allowed. Points/placings may be deducted/lowered if the adjudicator feels the song choice or the movements are inappropriate for the category.
• All competitors must be ready to perform at least 30 minutes prior to their scheduled time. If the competition is running ahead of schedule, they are expected to be ready earlier.
• Studios may compete 'against each other' in group sections — e.g. have more than 1 routine in any particular section.
• It is possible in some events that the soloist performs against themselves, eg a section of just junior solos and they add an additional solo to their registration.

PROHIBITED PROPS: Fire (including candles, matches, lighters), fireworks (including sparklers), explosives, swords, knives, guns, weapons and use of animals are strictly prohibited. Toy weapons are acceptable, however, toys may not fire projectile objects or have blunt points or sharp edges. Hoverboards, trampolines and motor vehicles are not allowed. All props should be non-toxic substances. No form of liquid, gel, powder, glass objects, aerosol cans of any type (including hairspray or spray paint) or similar substances may be used that will physically alter the backdrop, wings or surface of the floor. Water (on body, costume, or prop), wet paint, fake blood, silly string, haze or fog machines, dry ice, smoke, strobe lights, bubbles, bubble machines, candy, chalk, crushed cork, flour, corn starch, loose glitter, sand, dirt, sawdust, ashes or any other similar substances may not be used. Any act that uses a substance that is not permitted and creates a safety hazard for performers or on the floor may be penalised and/or disqualified at ORIGIN's discretion. Covering the dance floor to stage a prohibited item is not permitted. Please contact the ORIGIN office if you need further clarification on our prop and set rules.

ACCEPTABLE PROPS: These items are permitted as long as the stage is cleaned and cleared in the time permitted and does not delay the competition. Failure to comply will result in a 5 point deduction. These items include: feathers (no down feathers), petals (real or artificial), leaves (artificial only), loose confetti (1 inch or larger — no confetti cannons) and loose streamers (no streamer cannons). For safety purposes, these acceptable items may not be ejected or launched as projectiles from any sort of mechanism.

Special note regarding rosin: Rosin must be self-contained and cannot be applied directly on the floor. If a performance is requesting to use rosin, ORIGIN must know upon registration so that schedule adjustments can be made to clean up the residue post-performance. There may be point deductions if ORIGIN is not notified about the rosin usage and the floor is affected during the act.

NO ONE IS TO CHANGE COSTUME SIDE STAGE. NO ROUTINE SHOULD ALLOW A CHANGE OF COSTUME WHICH INVOLVES NUDITY OF ANY KIND (IN WINGS). CHANGING IN ANY PUBLIC AREA WILL RESULT IN AUTOMATIC DISQUALIFICATION (INCLUDING PUBLICLY ACCESSIBLE BACKSTAGE AREAS). CHANGE ROOMS AND PRIVACY TENTS ARE ALWAYS PROVIDED AT ORIGIN EVENTS.

• Competitors must check in with the backstage stage manager prior to dancing.
• Competitors must change in dressing rooms. Public areas are not to be utilised as change rooms.
• Absolutely no rehearsing in corridors or passageways.
• All backstage personnel will be required to carry a current Commission for Children and Young People and Child Guardian's bluecard.
• Please use glitter and hairspray outside and not in a closed area where it could be a health hazard to other competitors.

• ORIGIN is in no way any form of care / child care facility.
• Every under age competitor must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian who accepts full responsibility for the child at all times.
• Any child seen to be without a guardian will result in ORIGIN contacting authorities to respond.

• Groups must be supervised at all times.
• You must adhere to the venue's policies and procedures at all times (eg smoking, alcohol etc).
• Dressing rooms will be allocated on the day and is at the discretion of the competition organisers.
• In shared dressing rooms all competitors and associated parties are expected to demonstrate respect for the space, costumes and belongings of others at all times.
• All electrical equipment used must be tagged and tested by a certified electrician.
• Please be mindful of what you bring into a dressing room, hot drinks etc will not be allowed backstage.
• Music/vocal volumes for rehearsals must be kept to a minimum at all times in all areas.
• Please be mindful of rubbish and any mess created by a studio/school backstage or in any dressing rooms. Any excess cleaning required could result in a fine to the studio up to $200.
• Any individual/studio/school found to have caused damage to their dressing space will be charged relevant repair costs. If preexisting damage is noted when you arrive in your dressing area the convener must be advised immediately.

ORIGIN welcomes the use of props. Please be aware the transportation, set-up and tear-down of props are the sole responsibility of the studio or individual utilising these props. For the dancers' safety please ensure that any props used during our events are non-dangerous and not likely to injure or harm anyone. ORIGIN will not be held responsible for any potential injury or death resulting from a prop or props. It is the studio or individual's responsibility to clean up after any prop use and ensure the stage is ready for the next act. Any props left at the completion of the event will be disposed of.

All props backstage must be labelled with studio name for identification purposes.

• Absolutely no cameras, camcorders, or any other recording devices are permitted to be used within the performance or dressing areas unless otherwise specified by the event organisers. Repeat offenders will be asked to leave the venue. The purpose of this guideline is to protect the dancers and the intellectual property of the choreographers/studios.
• All contestants grant permission to the directors of ORIGIN to use their photographs or to appear on local and/or national television to promote its competitions.

Every care will be taken for competitors' safety, but the Management Team will not be responsible for any injuries sustained by any competitor or to property during the competition. Any performing dancer in these competitions takes certain risks in order to perform, these may include strains, sprains, bruises, broken bones, pulled muscles, and more. Participation in any ORIGIN competition indicates acceptance of such risks by performers. By accepting our terms and conditions every entrant will not hold ORIGIN, Shannon Cliff, Nick Dimakis, Felicity Cliff, or any other staff members or volunteers responsible for illnesses, injuries or damages sustained by participating in any activity relating to ORIGIN dance competition, workshop, or related.

ORIGIN competitions are NOT a baby-sitting service, every dancer attending must be in the full care of a parent or legal guardian who accepts all responsibility for the dancer.