NATIONALS COMPETITION INFORMATION

• ACRO: A routine consisting of 50% or more of acro skills such as walkovers, handsprings, or similar.
• BALLET: A routine utilizing ballet or pointe technique.
• CONTEMPORARY: A routine using contemporary or modern technique & movement.
• FOLK/ETHNIC: A routine choreographed using cultural technique or style.
• HIP HOP: A routine that incorporates hip hop, street, jazz funk, or breaking.
• JAZZ: A routine that demonstrates jazz technique and movement.
• LYRICAL: A routine utilizing lyrical technique and contemporary style.
• MUSICAL THEATRE: A routine that portrays a character from a Broadway show or musical.
• OPEN: A routine that represents a combination of dance styles or does not fall under any other genre.
• POM/DRILL: A routine that utilizes poms with dance team/drill technique. No stunts allowed.
• PRODUCTION: A routine demonstrating any style or combination of genres.
• TAP/CLOGGING: A routine incorporating tap or clogging technique and steps. No recorded tap sounds in music.

• MINI: Ages 6 years and younger
• PETITE: Ages 7-8 years
• JUNIOR: Ages 9-11 years
• TEEN: Ages 12-14 years
• SENIOR: Ages 15-19 years
• ADULT: Ages 20 years and older (non-leveled)

Age is determined by January 1st of the year the competition is held. All ages are determined by calculating the average age of all competitors within the routine.

• SOLO (1 dancer): 2:45 minutes maximum
• DUET / TRIO (2-3 dancers): 3:00 minutes maximum
• SMALL GROUP (4-9 dancers): 3:00 minutes maximum
• LARGE GROUP (10-19 dancers): 4:00 minutes maximum
• LINE (20+ dancers): 4:00 minutes maximum
• PRODUCTION (20+ dancers): 7:00 minutes maximum

DEBUT: Dancers new to the competition experience. Recommended for dancers with less than 2 years of competition experience and/or train in less than 3 classes per week, not including rehearsals. 

PREMIER: Dancers on the rise with intermediate competition experience. Recommended for dancers with 2-4 years of competition experience and/or train in 3-5 classes per week, not including rehearsals.

ELITE: Dancers with the highest level of competition experience. Recommended for dancers with 4+ years of competition experience and/or train a minimum of 6 classes per week, not including rehearsals.

It is up to the discretion of Studio Owners / Directors to register dancers in their appropriate competition level based on the recommendations provided. 

At Nationals, all routines will be adjudicated by a panel of 4 judges, with the lowest score being dropped, creating a possible total of 300 points (100 points per judge). The adjudication range varies per level based on the following criteria: Technique (40 pts), Performance (25 pts), Execution (20 pts), Choreography (10 pts), Overall Appearance (5 pts).

• Double Platinum

                Debut = 288-300 / Premier = 290-300 / Elite = 292-300

• Platinum

                Debut = 276-287.9 / Premier = 280-289.9 / Elite = 284-291.9

• High Gold

                Debut = 264-275.9 / Premier = 270-279.9 / Elite = 276-283.9

• Gold

                Debut = 252-263.9 / Premier = 260-269.9 / Elite = 268-275.9

• Silver

                Debut = 0-251.9 / Premier = 0-259.9 / Elite = 0-267.9

Group routines pre-qualify by attending a 2025 regional event. Solo and duet/trio routines do not require pre-qualification. In the event a group routine did not attend a regional event, a pre-qualification fee equal to standard regional rates will apply.

Independent Entries are accepted via phone registration only. Please contact Gravit8 at 602-888-8455 to register as an Independent entry.

Registration closes June 1, 2025 or once capacity is reached. Nationals competition fees are available to studio owners only and can been seen by logging into your Gravit8 studio center.

Dancers will receive FREE photos & videos of their registered routines at each tour event. Media will be available for download.

ADJUDICATED 

All routines will receive a score from a panel of 4 predetermined judges, iwth the lowest score being dropped from the total. Adjudicated awards are based on composite scores which may result in multiple Double Platinum, Platinum, High Gold, Gold, and Silver presented in each age and competition level. Routines will receive one award based on their adjudicated score and each dancer will receive a corresponding neck medal.  Any routines that re-complete will be for adjudication only, and will be ineligible for overall high point awards. Exceptions will be made if technical difficulties arise on the part of Gravit8 Dance Competition.    

OVERALL HIGH POINT & CASH AWARDS

While all routines are performing against a point system for adjudicated awards, Mini, Petite, Junior, Teen, and Senior acts will compete against each other for overall high point awards within their age division and competition level. In the event of a tie, the technique score will determine the higher overall placement. If the technique scores are tied, the performance score will determine the overall placement. Routines recognized with an overall high point placement will receive one award and each dancer will receive a corresponding neck medal.  Routines unable to compete on the same day scheduled, and before their respective awards ceremony, will be ineligible for overall high point awards and will only receive an adjudication award, unless pre-approved by the G8 competition director. Entries received after the final schedule has been released will receive adjudication only and will not be considered for overall high point awards.  

High point overall awards per each age, size division, and competition level will be presented to the following: 

• Top 10 highest scoring routines will be recognized when division contains 10 or more routines. 
• Top 5 highest scoring routines will be recognized when division contains 5 to 9 routines. 
• Top 3 highest scoring routines will be recognized when division contains 3 to 4 routines. 
• Top 1 highest scoring routine will be recognized when division contains less than 3 routines. 

Dancers with more than one solo may only place once, with their highest scoring solo, in the overall high point awards. Duets/Trios with the exact same dancers may only place once, with their highest scoring routine, in the overall high point awards. Should an unforeseen medical emergency, illness, injury, etc cause a routine to fall below the minimum number requirement for the respective group size and/or cause a routine to adjust in age division then the act will only be eligible if they compete prior to their new group size and age division award ceremony. Routines unable to meet this criteria will receive adjudication only and will be ineligible for high point awards.  

Cash prizes will be awarded to the top scoring routine in each competition level, age division, and size per the following: 

Cash prizes will only be presented in divisions with 3 or more eligible routines … for solos, there must be 3 separate dancers registered.  All cash prizes must be redeemed within 30 days after the conclusion of Nationals, and will be mailed to the address provided. Cash prizes not redeemed within 30 days, will be converted into an account credit for the following season. Adult age routines are for adjudication only and do not qualify for overalls.

SPECIALTY AWARDS

• ELITE DANCER-OF-THE-YEAR - Placement of the Top 5 Elite soloists within each age group will be announced at The Gala. Elite Dancer-Of-The-Year winners will receive the following: complimentary entry to all 2025 conventions, featured in 2025 regional tour programs, free convention entry to Nationals 2026, and the opportunity to assist faculty at 2025 conventions & Nationals 2026.
• CAPTIV8 AWARD - The four (4) highest scoring group routines of each ability level will be invited to re-compete at The Gala. A limit of one (1) routine per ability level, per studio, will be allowed.
• GENRE WINNERS - Recognition of the single highest scoring routine in Ballet, Ballroom, Contemporary, Hip Hop, Jazz, Lyrical, Musical Theatre, and Tap/Clogging will be announced at The Gala.
• ELEV8 AWARD "TOP SCORING STUDIO" - The studio with the highest average score of all eligible group routines will be announced at The Gala. To qualify, studios are required to have a minimum of one 11 & under AND one 12 & older group routine within at least five (5) of the following genres: Ballet, Ballroom, Contemporary, Hip Hop, Jazz, Lyrical, Musical Theatre, and Tap/Clogging. There must be at least three (3) eligible studios in order for the award to be presented. 
• ACTIV8 AWARD - Presented to the studio that Activ8's their passion on, and off, the stage by displaying good sportsmanship, positive energy, preparedness, and is courteous to other throughout Nationals.  

Studio entries must be registered through the Gravit8 website (www.Gravit8Dance.com) and will be limited on a first come basis. Registration does not guarantee acceptance until deposit payment has been received; therefore, please secure your spot early for one of our tour events. There is no limit to the number of entries allowed per studio. All entries are final and non-refundable … no exceptions. In the event of illness or injury, a credit towards future Gravit8 tour events will be issued. No changes may be made to entries once the final Nationals schedule has been released. 

Independent entries are accepted via phone only. Please contact our registration team at 602-888-8455 to get registered.

Questions regarding entries or registration contact us at 1-833-TALK-2-G8.

• Audience admission is free to all events.
• Doors will open approximately 1 hour prior to the first scheduled routine. 
• No food or drinks allowed in the competition ballroom area. 
• If dance movements, music lyrics, or costuming are deemed to be too suggestive, unedited, uncensored, or otherwise inappropriate for a family audience, the routine will receive point deductions by the judges or may be disqualified from the competition.
• Good sportsmanship and appropriate conduct is expected from all participating studio owners, teachers, dancers, and spectators. Failure to comply could result in removal from venue, immediate disqualification, and/or loss of privileges to participate in future Gravit8 competitions. 

Gravit8 Dance Competition provides 3 levels of competition at each tour event … Debut, Premier, and Elite. The purpose of offering different levels of competition is to allow dancers to compete against others with comparable training and ability. It is up to the discretion of Studio Owners / Directors to register dancers in their appropriate competition level based on the recommendations provided. The panel of Judges have the right to move a routine up in level if they see fit based on their performance and skill set. Soloists may only compete in one ability level and will be limited to two solos per tour stop.  

Competition levels for all non-solo routines will be determined by the average of the competitive level of the dancers within the routine. If there is an equal split between ability levels, the routine will be placed in the higher competition level. Competition levels may not be adjusted after the final schedule has been released unless the original combination of dancers in the routine changes on site (due to an unforeseen medical emergency, illness, injury, etc) which therefore alters the competing level. 

In an effort to protect dancers and the intellectual property of choreographers, absolutely no photography or videoography is permitted within the competition theatre or dressing rooms. Complimentary photos and videos will be available for download within one week after the conclusion of each tour event. By entering Gravit8 Dance Competitions all participants grant permission for Gravit8 Dance Competition to use any photography and/or vieoography taken during tour events for promotional purposes, including, but not limited to marketing and social media outlets.

All music must be uploaded through the Gravit8 online studio center at least 14 days prior to Nationals and must be edited, age appropriate, and free of any profanity/vulgar language. Please bring backup music on a USB only in the event of technical difficulties. Professional sound equipment, provided by Gravit8, will be used at all tour stops. 

• Routines must compete in their scheduled order, unless otherwise pre-approved by Gravit8.  
• Coaching from backstage or the audience is prohibited. 
• Studio owners, directors, and/or teachers may not compete.
• Dancers must compete their entire routine on stage and may only enter and exit the stage from the wings. 
• Rehearsing on stage at anytime is prohibited.
• In the event that competition is running ahead of schedule, routines are expected to compete in order or when called upon backstage.

The use of props, at Gravit8 tour events, are welcomed as long as they do not alter the backdrop, wings, or surface of the marley floor and can be easily removed following the completion of the routine.  If a prop is used, the stage must be left clean after the routine. Gravit8 prohibits the use of any props that contain, but are not limited to liquids, paint, powders, hazardous materials, fire, weapons of any kind, live animals, helium balloons, or any substance that may physically alter the competition stage. For safety reasons, all props (freestanding or handheld) may not exceed a maximum height of 15 feet. Depending on the venue, power outlets may not be available for use so please plan accordingly. Props may not be stored overnight and must be loaded in and out of the venue on the same day they are used. Gravit8 Dance Competition will not be held responsible or liable for any lost, stolen, or damaged props left unattended and any props remaining at the venue upon completion of the tour event will be disposed.

All Nationals fees must be paid in full by June 1, 2025. Failure to provide payment by the deadline date will result in registration cancellation, and no refund or credit will be provided for any deposit payments or partial payments made. Entry fees are non-refundable for any reason. Gravit8 accepts the following forms of payment: check, cashier’s check, money order, or credit card (plus a 3% processing fee). Returned checks will incur a $25 fee. Credit card payments can be made through the Gravit8 online registration system or by phone (1-833-TALK-2-G8). 

Check payments must be postmarked by June 1, 2025 and should be mailed to the following:

Gravit8 Dance Competition, LLC

20701 N Scottsdale Rd Ste 107-152

Scottsdale, AZ 85255

Scholarships received during the 2025 regional tour must be applied prior to checkout by contacting Gravit8, and accounts will not be refunded if scholarships fail to be applied prior to payment received.

Participation in Gravit8 Dance Competition indicates the acceptance of inherent risks involved with physical activities. Gravit8 Dance Competition along with its employees, staff, contractors, and hosting venue will not be held responsible for any damage, loss, injury, or illness sustained by studio owners, directors, teachers, dancers, or spectators while attending a G8 tour event, therefore, each individual’s own insurance policy will be the only method of recourse.  Studio owners/directors agree to adhere to the Release of Liability Policy, which will be completed during the online registration process, and also agree to inform all dancers and spectators of said policy. 

All soloists will have the opportunity to pre-register and compete for one of five G8 National Title Awards within each competition level.

• Debut “Mini” Title Winner
• Debut “Petite” Title Winner
• Debut “Junior” Title Winner
• Debut “Teen” Title Winner
• Debut “Senior” Title Winner
• Premier “Mini” Title Winner
• Premier “Petite” Title Winner
• Premier “Junior” Title Winner
• Premier “Teen” Title Winner
• Premier “Senior” Title Winner
• Elite “Mini” Title Winner
• Elite “Petite” Title Winner
• Elite “Junior” Title Winner
• Elite “Teen” Title Winner
• Elite “Senior” Title Winner

1 (one) National Title Winner and 2 (two) National Title Finalists will be announced. Soloists will be selected based on the following criteria: Technique (30 pts), Entertainment Value (25 pts), Stage Presence (20 pts), Execution of Choreography (15 pts), Costume (10 pts) and is available for each competition level and age division. Title entries will be accepted through the Gravit8 online registration system for a separate fee. No Title entries will be accepted after the final competition schedule has been released. Title Scholarships are non-transferable and can only be redeemed by the studio, of which the scholarship dancer was registered, at the time the scholarship was awarded. 

National Title Winners will be awarded a FREE Solo Entry and National Title Finalists will receive 50% OFF a Solo Entry. Both can be used at a future G8 Regional or National tour event.