Festival rules

GENERAL RULES

1. The Festival is for amateurs. For the purposes of this Festival, an amateur is one who is considered not to: a) derive his/her main income from performing dance; b) be undertaking a full-time further education in dance; c) be attending a full time dance or theatre school.

2. The age of competitors is taken from 31st August 2026. Entry into the incorrect age group may lead to disqualification. In cases of doubt, the competitor may be required to produce a birth certificate to confirm age.

3. Entries will be accepted via the Tonbridge Dance Festival registration form. In the event of over subscription please note entries will be accepted by geographical distance. Schools nearest the festival geographically will be given priority. This rule will only apply if we are oversubscribed. We welcome entries from all dance schools.

4. Competitors may perform not more than: a. Once in their own age group for each solo technique (classical or stage) b. Once in each genre in a duet class with the same partner c. Once in each genre in a trio/quartet class with the same dancers (NB dancers are permitted to dance more than once with different partners) Genres are defined as follows: CLASSICAL: Ballet - Classical Ballet, Modern Ballet (from 13 years), Classical Greek, Narrative/Character, Contemporary (from 13 years) and Global Dance STAGE: Jazz/Modern, Lyrical Jazz/Modern (from 11 years), Musical Theatre, Tap. The committee reserves the right to amalgamate genres into the groupings of stage and classical should there not be sufficient entries to adjudicate genres separately. The age of the oldest competitor determines the correct class of entry.

5. A minimum of 5 and a maximum of 10 dancers constitutes a Small Group and a minimum of 11 and a maximum of 30 dancers constitutes a Group.

6. The organisers reserve the right to divide, amalgamate or split classes, should the occasion arise, and have the power to interpret or qualify any of these rules should they deem it appropriate. If a solo age group is split, the two classes will be held on the same day wherever possible.

7. The timetable will be set by the Committee and will not be subject to alteration. Requests from competitors regarding preferred dates and times, or alterations to the published timetable, will not be accommodated for any reason.

8. Competitors must report to the stage at least 15 minutes before the class is due to start.

9. If they are unable to attend their class, competitors are invited to call the Festival representative to let them know. The Festival programme will include a telephone number to call that will be available during Festival hours.

10. Competitors aged 11 years or over may not be allowed to re-dance except for a technical reason determined by the stage steward. Competitors aged under 11 years may be allowed to re-dance, at the discretion of the adjudicator.

11. Acrobatic work is not allowed but gymnastic work is acceptable at the discretion of the adjudicator provided it is combined with modern dance technique.

12. Pointe work is not allowed for any competitor under the age of 13 years.

13. The organisers reserve the right to refuse entry or stop a performance where content, props or costume are thought to be unsuitable.

14. Time limits for dances must not be exceeded. Times will be checked from the first note or word of the accompaniment or the first movement of the dancer, whichever is sooner. Marks will be lost if the time limit is exceeded.

15. The competition does not accept liability for the infringement of copyright recording or performing rights arising out of any competitor's accompaniment or performance. Teachers and choreographers using music created from commercial recordings are advised that they are themselves responsible for seeking permission to re-record from the recording companies concerned.

16. Recorded accompaniment must be uploaded to the TDF organisers in an MP4 format by 29th March 2027. Links to the relevant files will be emailed to each dance school and each track must be named as instructed at the time. Please ensure you have back up music at the festival in the event of a technical fault.

17. Pre-recorded music used in any song and dance section must not include any singing or chanting on the track. Pre-recorded music in tap sections must not use any recorded tap or similar effect.

18. The choice and interpretation of the accompaniment, as well as the quality of recording, will be considered by the Adjudicator.

19. When requested, the steward will announce the title of the dance and, if appropriate, a short synopsis not exceeding thirty words.

20. Adjudicator's decision is final and no discussion or correspondence concerning such a decision may ensue. The Adjudicator reserves the right not to award a place or medal if, in their opinion, the standard of dance is insufficiently high, or individuals infringe the rules.

21. Communication with the Adjudicator concerning any matters relating to the competition by the competitors, teachers or other parties during the competition is prohibited.

22. The competition may make awards to performers in categories of its choice. Trophies should be cleaned and engraved at the winner's expense and should be returned to the festival by the end of March the following year. Failure to do so will result in a charge of £30 per trophy payable to Tonbridge Dance Festival.

23. Photography, filming, video or sound recording is prohibited in the auditorium. However, competitors must be prepared to perform before cameras of the media or agents of the competition.

24. The stage and stage wings are out of bounds to all except authorised persons and persons about to perform. Competitors who have danced must leave the area and only return for adjudication. Authorised persons are members of the Tonbridge Dance Festival Committee, licenced chaperones and teachers. Dancers should seek Committee permission before using the stage during break times.

25. In compliance with the venue's health and safety regulations, members of the public and competitors will not be allowed entry to the venue before 8.30am on any morning of the Festival.

26. Entrance to the auditorium will only be allowed between performances and not whilst adjudication is taking place. Competitors may be allowed into the auditorium if their costumes are covered and adequate footwear is worn. Children under the age of 10 must be accompanied by an adult and fully supervised.

27. Parents, relatives or friends who attend the Festival with a dancer must pay the appropriate entry money at the time of entering the venue. Competitors who are dancing or supporting teachers (max. two persons per day named by school in advance) on the day will not be required to pay the appropriate entry money.

28. The Festival carries public liability insurance and a certificate to that effect will be displayed FOH during the Festival.

29. Parents should be aware that the ONLY AREAS OF THE THEATRE SUPERVISED BY Tonbridge Dance Festival personnel are the side of stage and performing areas. In all other areas of the theatre (including the dressing rooms, auditorium, toilets, corridors etc.) parents and teachers are reminded that the safety of vulnerable people and personal belongings are their responsibility during the festival. The Festival accepts no responsibility for the personal effects of entrants or their helpers.

30. Lost property recovered at the festival will be disposed of if unclaimed 4 weeks after the last day of the festival.

31. All competitors will need to comply with the Child Licencing arrangements as defined by Kent County Council in compliance with legislation. Failure to comply with the KCC requirements will result in competitors being disqualified. The Festival will be registered for a Body of Persons Approval (BOPA). Please note all dance schools will be contacted by KCC required to submit their own BOPA information to KCC.

32. Tonbridge Dance Festival has a designated fully trained Safeguarding Officer and any safeguarding issues or concerns will be handled by a named person.

33. Tonbridge Dance Festival will ensure that there are registered chaperones at the side of the stage and in the performance area at all times.

34. A separate dressing room will be provided for males and a family dressing room for both sexes should it be required. No men will be allowed entry to any female dressing room. The Festival reserves the right to question any person within the backstage area and, where deemed appropriate, request them to leave.

35. The organisers are not liable for any loss or damage to articles, clothing or personal injury during the Festival unless proven negligent.

36. By entering the Festival you are agreeing to our Child Protection Policy, our Privacy Policy and our approach to Creating Safer Festivals for Everyone.