Top Hat Rules
September 3rd, 2007, 4:27 am
1. The competition is only open to currently matriculating NYU students and NYU alumni and their partners. General guests are welcome to participate in the Jack and Jill Fun dance.
2. Contestants will enter as a couple
3. Contestants may enter any of the following categories:
- Beginner: Couples for which both partners have never competed in a ballroom dance competition before and began ballroom dancing no earlier than summer 2007
- Intermediate: Couples for which both partners have been dancing and/or competing in ballroom dance competitions for one year or less
- Advanced: Couples for which one or both partners have been dancing and competing in ballroom dance competitions for longer than one year
- Alumni: Any level couples for which one partner is an alumnus of NYU
4. Contestants may only enter one category. Two categories may be entered only if the contestant in question is competing as a follower in one category and a leader in another.
5. Alumni can only dance in the Alumni category.
6. Non-NYU affiliated dancers must register as Alumni and may only dance in the Alumni category with partners who are alumni of NYU or who are affiliated with NYU.
7. No more than eight couples will be on the dance floor at any given time. Should more than eight couples enter, there will be two or three heats.
8. Dancers will be judged by two criteria: showmanship and enjoyment. Showmanship may include (but is not limited to) factors such as poise, confidence, energy, and enthusiasm. Enjoyment refers to the degree to which the audience and dancers are enjoying the performance.
9. As Top Hat and Tails is a social event, the competitors will not be held to a competitive standard. Therefore, thought technique may be considered, it will not be weighed heavily. In fact, technique will be scored only to enhance, and not diminish, the dancers’ scores
10. Judges will enter their marks on score sheets, which will then be tallied by an appointed scrutineer. The three highest-scored couples in each category will be recognized.
11. The deadline for online registration is Saturday, November 1 at 11:59pm. Dancers who wish to enter after this time can register at the door and will not be listed in the program.