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DANCE: CULTURAL  ​

Description:

Perform rhythmic and patterned body movements to music that reflects the culture or life of the people from a certain tribe, region, or nation.

Overview:
Showcase your passion and perform a solo dance that tells a powerful story, reflecting the rich traditions and vibrant rhythms of a specific tribe, region or nation. Your performance should showcase a local cultural dance—one that is often passed down through generations and deeply connected to a community's history, customs, and environment. Step into the rhythm of your roots and bring your passion to the stage!

Notes for Judges ● Each contestant will have 5 minutes to present their performance and then the judging co-hort will have 5 minutes for any follow up questions and quick deliberations before the next contestant. Each contestant will only have an allocated time frame of 10 minutes. ● You should not under any circumstances engage with the students before or after the competition until the Awards Ceremony has concluded. ● You must provide honest constructive feedback for each contestant that you are judging. ● Scoring Rubric: ○ 95-100 - Qualifies as a Gold Medalist ○ 90+Up - Qualifies as a Silver Medalist ○ 85+Up - Qualifies as a Bronze Medalist ■ Please take heed that the identifying word here is “Qualifies”. There can be multiple contestants that can qualify as gold medalist and if that’s the case the highest score will receive the gold, and silver and bronze will be allocated to the next two highest scores. In the event the highest score is a 90 then there is no gold medalist and there’s only a possibility for a silver and bronze medalist as long as the remaining scores land within the 85+Up region.

REQUIREMENTS:

 

1. Time Limit: Your solo performance must not exceed five (5) minutes.

     Note: Exceeding this limit may result in point deductions or disqualification. 

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2. Costumes: Costumes are optional, but should be appropriate to the theme and style of your dance.

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3. Theme and Form: Clearly state the theme, dance style, and form of your performance before you begin. 

  • Forms: Examples of dance forms include (but are not limited to): 

  1. African,

  2. West African,

  3. Central African,

  4. Step,

  5. Afro-Haitian,

  6. AfroCuban,

  7. Soca,

  8. Dancehall,

  9. Cuban,

  10. Afro-Latin, and more.

performance.

 

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Necessary Equipment:


This equipment is provided and standard at the national competition

Note: Contact your local ACT-SO Chairperson to see if this equipment is available at the local level.


1. 1 Sound System w/2 Speakers that is electricity based, not battery powered


2. Laptop w/charger or Phone w/Charger
    a. Dongle Adapter for Macbooks
 

3. Aux Adaptor for playback from phones
    a. USB C to 3.5 mm Aux Jack (most modern devices)
    b. Lightning to 3.5 Aux Jack (older apple devices)
 

4. Aux cable
 

5. Outlet Surge Protector
 

Required Submissions
 

• Bio (PDF) → First_Last_Bio
• Contestant Photo (PDF) → First_Last_CP
• Statement of Integrity (PDF) → First_Last_SOI
• Audio File (MP3) → First_Last_Audio
 

When uploading your documents, you must name each file exactly as shown above in order for it to be properly uploaded and integrated into our automated system.


Example: John_Doe_WP (using your own first and last name, followed by the file label shown for your category).
 

Note: If files are not received in these formats, they are out of compliance and ineligible until rectified. If they are not corrected before the deadline, the contestant will no longer be able to compete at this year's iteration of the National Competition

    

 

Contestants will be judged by the following criteria:

 

25 Points: Technical Proficiency/Skill 

    Demonstrates strong technique, including alignment, strength, endurance, flexibility and coordination. 

 

25 Points: Clarity and Consistency in Style

    Clearly conveys the chosen dance style and maintains consistency throughout the performance. 

 

25 Points: Phrasing/Dynamics/Musicality

    Effectively uses phrasing, dynamics, and musicality to enhance the storytelling and emotional impact of the performance. 

 

25 Points: Clarity of Intent/Interpretation of Choreography

    Clearly communicates the intended message or story through the choreography. ​​​

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100 Total Points

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Point Deduction -0.25 per 15 sec

For every 15 seconds the performance exceeds the allotted time limit (5 minutes), 0.25 point is deducted.

Tips for Dance Traditional Contestants:


Practice, Practice, Practice: The more you practice, the more confident you’ll be.


Choose a Strong Song: Select a song that complements your dance style and inspires your performance.

 

Tell a Story: Use your body to convey a story or emotion through your dance.


Master the Fundamentals: Focus on strong technique and clean lines.


Perform with Passion: Let your enthusiasm shine through your performance.


Connect with the music: Feel the rhythm and let it guide your movements.


Stage Presence: Command the stage with confidence and charisma.


Dress to Impress: Choose a costume that enhances your performance and reflects your style.


Warm-up Before Your Performance: Prepare your body for the physical demands of dancing.


Have Fun! Enjoy the experience and let your love for dance shine.

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