Happy 2008! I take it you have survived the Nutcracker! It is time to look ahead to season 11 of TOP. I am going to spend the next few blogs going over rules and regs and whys and why nots. I am planning to send these blogs at you pretty fast, since I know my time will be in much shorter supply when the new season begins. So, let's review the rules of TOP, some old and some NEW! Let's look at entry divisions for 2008. There are some changes here. Solos still have 1 performer, duets are still 2 and trios are still 3. Good so far? Small groups have been changed at the request of many dance teachers and studio owners. Small groups will now include 4-9 performers. We have adopted the "competition standard" number in this. Although I am not sure who exactly has self appointed themselves the maker of the "standards" (I think he/she is kind of like the great and powerful OZ, behind some green curtain somewhere, I don't think he/she lives in KS though). We have made the change to be like the "majority" of competitions here. Large groups have changed as well, to include 10-16 performers. Lines and Productions are now both 17 or more performers. We are pleased to have the most age divisions in the industry. No changes here! Solo age divisions continue to be broken down 8 and under (or even 6 and under where numbers permit) 9-10, 11-12, 13-14, 15-16, 17-18, 19 and over. With TOP 5 (or 10's) in every category and cash prizes in every category, even if there is only 3 (different) performers. There are seven cash prizes going out each weekend in solos alone. I believe that children deserve to compete within their own age bracket, with their peers. You cannot deny the age, maturity difference between a 9 year old and a 12 year old. How can anyone expect them to compete against each other? At TOP soloists compete with their peers, not their elders. In Duet/Trio and Group divisions we do stretch them a little, but I feel that in most groups you have a much bigger age spread. Divisions for these are 8 and under, 9-10 11-12 Junior and 13-14, 15-16, 17-18 Senior and 19 and over Collegiate. We do however break these divisions even further at shows where we have at least 8 different teams in each. For example, if in 9-10 small groups there are 8 acts and 11-12 has 11 acts, there will be a 9-10 AND an 11-12 CASH award (actual cash, not a gift certificate for nationals). We want you to come to nationals because you want to, not because we are paying you your prize from regionals if you do! Think about it! Most studios are amazed at how many Overalls, cash prizes and TOP 5 or TOP 10 line-ups we have. Age divisions are still determined by the first day of regionals. That age is also the age you stay for the whole TOP competition season. You do not have to move up at nationals or change the average age of a group for nationals, even if someone has had a birthday. Average age is also rounded down...yes, down. 12.9 is a twelve year old. They will be the first to tell you when they are 13. Let's keep them kids a while longer! New question this year (thanks to that OZ guy, not from Kansas), “Can an 8 year old dance a duet with a 14 year old, or be in groups with 16 year olds?” YES, you just must continue to average the age of all competitors. Average age no matter what age the youngest or oldest dancer is. Time limits have stayed the same too. Solos, Duets/Trios and Small Groups are 3 minutes, Large Groups, and Lines are 4 minutes, and Productions are up to 8 minutes. Another question (thanks to the OZ dude again!), “Can we buy time?” What?????????? I WISH I COULD BUY TIME just to make it through the season. I would purchase a new month that comes between May and June. The answer is NO. I do not have the time to sell. The fact is, I think allowing acts to buy time would be kind of like letting football teams buy an extra quarter. We believe that everyone should come into the competition with an even playing field so to speak. Allowing some groups to go overtime and dance more than other groups for a price is just wrong. Everyone gets the same time limit for the same price with us. You can't buy time or any other unfair advantage at TOP! I don't believe in additional expenses like that for anyone. Enough said, I will give you a couple of days to read and then continue with rules and regs. Email me kim@talentonparade.comThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it if you have any questions about rules that I might or might not cover in the next few blogs. I enjoy hearing from you! Kim