NOW Talent FINALS 2021
NOW TALENT FINALS will be held from 8th-10th July 2021 at the Shedley Theatre in Elizabeth. Entries open on the Monday after each event and close when allocation for that event has been exhausted. All entries will close on 30th May if allocation is not exhausted prior to this.
Every performer will receive a MEDAL on stage for Solos and Duo/Trios! Winning routines will receive TROPHIES!
Groups will receive a large TROPHY and special Finals ribbons for all performers.
CASH PRIZES also given at FINALS (see below)
There are also NO SPECTATOR FEES at Finals!! What you pay for your entries is all you will pay!
Every performer will receive a MEDAL on stage for Solos and Duo/Trios! Winning routines will receive TROPHIES!
Groups will receive a large TROPHY and special Finals ribbons for all performers.
CASH PRIZES also given at FINALS (see below)
There are also NO SPECTATOR FEES at Finals!! What you pay for your entries is all you will pay!
QUALIFICATION & ENTRY LEVELS
To qualify for FINALS you need to receive a Bronze Award or higher at one of our events. The award you receive will decide which section you compete in for Finals (for example, all Bronze Award winner in Jazz Solos will compete together, all Silver Award winners in Ballet Solos will compete together). Award levels will be combined if there are low entries in a genre, but never more than one level up or down.
If you compete the same routine at more than one event in 2020, your highest score will decide which award level you compete at (for example, if you receive a Silver for your Jazz Solo at Balaklava but then receive a Gold for your Jazz solo at Evanston, you will compete as Gold at Finals).
For Solos, you qualify with the genre but not the routine. So you can change your routine for Finals but it must be in the same genre that you qualified.
For Duo/Trios & Groups, you qualify with the routine. This means you must perform the same routine at Finals. If needed, you can alter the performers for Finals if not everyone is able to perform but it must not significantly change their average age:
A maximum of one person can change in Duo/Trios and they must not affect the average age by more than 2 years.
Any number of performers can be absent from group routines, but no more than 5 new performers can be added and they must not affect the average age by more than 1 year.
All performers compete as the age they are on the first day of Finals, regardless of their age when qualifying.
ADDITIONAL ENTRIES
Each Soloist, Duo/Trio or Group may enter up to TWO non-qualifying routines. These will be placed in the highest level that you received (for example, if your highest score was a Gold, all of your additional non-qualifying entries must be entered as Gold). Duo/Trio additional entries must be the same duo/trio members from the qualifying event. Group additional entries can be made up of any performers from the Studio/School entering but must be entered as the highest award level which that Studio/School received.
Additional entries can only be made if at least ONE qualifying routine is also entered.
ENTRY FEES
Solos $45
Duo/Trios $25 per performer
Groups $8 per performer
Championships $35
Compulsory Competitor Pass $25
There are NO REFUNDS once an entry has been made, unless the event is cancelled. If a competitor is unable to perform due to illness or injury, they may contact us to discuss a transfer into one of our future competitions (a Medical Certificate will be required).
ENTRY PASSES
There are NO SPECTATOR PASSES at Finals! What you pay for your entries is all you will pay!! Bring lots of people to come and support you at FINALS!
There is a small charge of $5 per person to watch the STAR OF STARS event on the final night. Those invited to perform in this event will be able to attend free of charge.
SECTIONS
Each section will be split into age groups & award levels based on the entries received. There will be no more than 10 competitors in each section and no more than 3 years between the youngest and the oldest in the section. Ages are taken at the first day of the competition. Duo/Trios and Groups are calculated using the 'average age' rule (the age of all competitors are added together and then divided by the number of performers in the group - all decimals are rounded down).
All entries from performers aged 18+ should be placed in Open Talent. Individuals can enter this section as many times as they like. Teachers (or any routine featuring a teacher) must enter as Open Talent.
Our competition is split into DANCE, DRAMA, SINGING, MUSICAL THEATRE and TALENT:
DANCE includes the following sections:
DRAMA includes the following sections:
SINGING includes the following sections:
MUSICAL THEATRE includes the following sections:
TALENT includes the following sections:
Acrobatics, Student Choreography, Musicians (including singers also playing an instrument), Bands, Martial Arts, Gymnastics, Cheerleading, Song & Dance (using music that would not fit into the MUSICAL THEATRE section) - if you are uncertain, please contact us to discuss. You can also use this section enter extra solos (for example, if you have a Jazz and a Broadway, you can enter one in Jazz Solo and one in Talent).
No performers over 18. No live animals. No fire or other dangerous activities.
CHAMPIONSHIPS (Finals Only)
If you placed 1st, 2nd or 3rd for any Solo at one of our 2020/21 events, you can perform that Solo again in our CHAMPIONSHIP section. There are no separate sections for Championships, all types of solo entry will compete against each other! You can only enter ONCE so choose your best qualifying solo!!
If there are enough entrants, they will be split into age groups. Only open to entrants under 18 years on 8th July.
All entrants will receive a prize!
You can repeat a solo in Championships that you have already entered at Finals. The solo you perform in Championships must be the same routine which you placed 1st, 2nd or 3rd with.
TIME LIMITS & MUSIC
Time limits are as follows and should be strictly adhered to in order to ensure the smooth running of the competition day:
Solos - 3 mins
Duo/Trios - 4 mins
Groups - 5 mins
The setting and removal of props must be completed within the above time limits. Judges may deduct points for acts which go over their time limit.
Music must be uploaded to the Dropbox folder provided to you after you enter.
PROGRAMMING
Finals schedules will be available as soon as possible after entries close on 30th May (or when FULL). Competitors will receive confirmation of their performance days/times by email as soon as they are ready. Copies of the full program are available to purchase for a small fee at the event. Performance Titles must be sent to us at least 4 weeks before the competition in order to be included in the printed program. Any changes to titles after the 4-week deadline must be made at the event - there is no charge for changes. It is not possible to change entry sections once the program has been created.
SCORING
Scores will be given to each act and score sheets will be available to collect after the awards. Judges will score each act on the following criteria:
Creativity (25 points)
Presentation (25 points)
Technique (25 points)
Performance Skills (25 points)
Except TALENT and CHAMPIONSHIP entries which are scored as follows:
Creativity (25 points)
Presentation (25 points)
Audience Appeal (25 points)
Performance Skills (25 points)
Each act is then awarded a Medal as follows:
Platinum Award (90-100 points)
Gold Award (80-89 points)
Silver Award (70-79 points)
Bronze Award (60-69 points)
Participation Award (59 points or less)
When more than one judge is present, the scores will be averaged. Scores below 60 points will only be eligible for a Participation Award and cannot place 1st, 2nd or 3rd. The judges decision is final and no further discussion will be entered into after the awards have been presented.
PRIZES
Prizes are awarded at the Awards Presentation which takes place soon after each session is complete. Prizes available at each competition:
Solo Star of the Finals - $250 cash plus trophy
Awarded to the Solo with the highest score of the competition (all sections except Open Talent)
Duo/Trio Star of the Finals - $250 cash plus trophy
Awarded to the Duo/Trio with the highest score of the competition (all sections except Open Talent)
Group Star of the Finals- $250 cash plus trophy
Awarded to the Group with the highest score of the competition (all sections except Open Talent)
Open Talent Award - $150 cash
Awarded to the highest score in the Open Talent section
Cash prizes require a minimum number of entries. NOW Talent reserves the right to reduce the cash prize for competitions with lower entry numbers.
Every performance is awarded with a Medal - these are graded as follows: Bronze Award, Silver Award, Gold Award, Platinum Award. The level of award given is based on the overall score for that performance.
Trophies are also awarded to those who place 1st, 2nd and 3rd in each section.
Groups will receive a large trophy for placing 1st, 2nd or 3rd and special Finals ribbons for all performers.
Certificates are awarded to the Overall Highest Scores for Solos, Duo/Trios and Groups.
** YOU MUST BE PRESENT AT THE AWARDS PRESENTATION TO RECEIVE YOUR PRIZES - NO AWARDS WILL BE GIVEN OUT AFTER THE EVENT **
To qualify for FINALS you need to receive a Bronze Award or higher at one of our events. The award you receive will decide which section you compete in for Finals (for example, all Bronze Award winner in Jazz Solos will compete together, all Silver Award winners in Ballet Solos will compete together). Award levels will be combined if there are low entries in a genre, but never more than one level up or down.
If you compete the same routine at more than one event in 2020, your highest score will decide which award level you compete at (for example, if you receive a Silver for your Jazz Solo at Balaklava but then receive a Gold for your Jazz solo at Evanston, you will compete as Gold at Finals).
For Solos, you qualify with the genre but not the routine. So you can change your routine for Finals but it must be in the same genre that you qualified.
For Duo/Trios & Groups, you qualify with the routine. This means you must perform the same routine at Finals. If needed, you can alter the performers for Finals if not everyone is able to perform but it must not significantly change their average age:
A maximum of one person can change in Duo/Trios and they must not affect the average age by more than 2 years.
Any number of performers can be absent from group routines, but no more than 5 new performers can be added and they must not affect the average age by more than 1 year.
All performers compete as the age they are on the first day of Finals, regardless of their age when qualifying.
ADDITIONAL ENTRIES
Each Soloist, Duo/Trio or Group may enter up to TWO non-qualifying routines. These will be placed in the highest level that you received (for example, if your highest score was a Gold, all of your additional non-qualifying entries must be entered as Gold). Duo/Trio additional entries must be the same duo/trio members from the qualifying event. Group additional entries can be made up of any performers from the Studio/School entering but must be entered as the highest award level which that Studio/School received.
Additional entries can only be made if at least ONE qualifying routine is also entered.
ENTRY FEES
Solos $45
Duo/Trios $25 per performer
Groups $8 per performer
Championships $35
Compulsory Competitor Pass $25
There are NO REFUNDS once an entry has been made, unless the event is cancelled. If a competitor is unable to perform due to illness or injury, they may contact us to discuss a transfer into one of our future competitions (a Medical Certificate will be required).
ENTRY PASSES
There are NO SPECTATOR PASSES at Finals! What you pay for your entries is all you will pay!! Bring lots of people to come and support you at FINALS!
There is a small charge of $5 per person to watch the STAR OF STARS event on the final night. Those invited to perform in this event will be able to attend free of charge.
SECTIONS
Each section will be split into age groups & award levels based on the entries received. There will be no more than 10 competitors in each section and no more than 3 years between the youngest and the oldest in the section. Ages are taken at the first day of the competition. Duo/Trios and Groups are calculated using the 'average age' rule (the age of all competitors are added together and then divided by the number of performers in the group - all decimals are rounded down).
All entries from performers aged 18+ should be placed in Open Talent. Individuals can enter this section as many times as they like. Teachers (or any routine featuring a teacher) must enter as Open Talent.
Our competition is split into DANCE, DRAMA, SINGING, MUSICAL THEATRE and TALENT:
DANCE includes the following sections:
- Jazz Solo (including Broadway Jazz)
- Tap Solo
- Ballet Solo (including Demi-Character)
- Lyrical Solo (including Neo-Classical)
- Contemporary Solo
- Hip Hop Solo
- Calisthenics Solo
- Dance Duo/Trio (all styles)
- Dance Group (all styles)
DRAMA includes the following sections:
- Drama Solo
- Drama Duo/Trio
- Drama Group
SINGING includes the following sections:
- Singing Solo
- Singing Duo/Trio
- Singing Group
MUSICAL THEATRE includes the following sections:
- Musical Theatre Solo
- Musical Theatre Duo/Trio
- Musical Theatre Group
TALENT includes the following sections:
- Talent
Acrobatics, Student Choreography, Musicians (including singers also playing an instrument), Bands, Martial Arts, Gymnastics, Cheerleading, Song & Dance (using music that would not fit into the MUSICAL THEATRE section) - if you are uncertain, please contact us to discuss. You can also use this section enter extra solos (for example, if you have a Jazz and a Broadway, you can enter one in Jazz Solo and one in Talent).
No performers over 18. No live animals. No fire or other dangerous activities.
- Open Talent
CHAMPIONSHIPS (Finals Only)
If you placed 1st, 2nd or 3rd for any Solo at one of our 2020/21 events, you can perform that Solo again in our CHAMPIONSHIP section. There are no separate sections for Championships, all types of solo entry will compete against each other! You can only enter ONCE so choose your best qualifying solo!!
If there are enough entrants, they will be split into age groups. Only open to entrants under 18 years on 8th July.
All entrants will receive a prize!
You can repeat a solo in Championships that you have already entered at Finals. The solo you perform in Championships must be the same routine which you placed 1st, 2nd or 3rd with.
TIME LIMITS & MUSIC
Time limits are as follows and should be strictly adhered to in order to ensure the smooth running of the competition day:
Solos - 3 mins
Duo/Trios - 4 mins
Groups - 5 mins
The setting and removal of props must be completed within the above time limits. Judges may deduct points for acts which go over their time limit.
Music must be uploaded to the Dropbox folder provided to you after you enter.
PROGRAMMING
Finals schedules will be available as soon as possible after entries close on 30th May (or when FULL). Competitors will receive confirmation of their performance days/times by email as soon as they are ready. Copies of the full program are available to purchase for a small fee at the event. Performance Titles must be sent to us at least 4 weeks before the competition in order to be included in the printed program. Any changes to titles after the 4-week deadline must be made at the event - there is no charge for changes. It is not possible to change entry sections once the program has been created.
SCORING
Scores will be given to each act and score sheets will be available to collect after the awards. Judges will score each act on the following criteria:
Creativity (25 points)
Presentation (25 points)
Technique (25 points)
Performance Skills (25 points)
Except TALENT and CHAMPIONSHIP entries which are scored as follows:
Creativity (25 points)
Presentation (25 points)
Audience Appeal (25 points)
Performance Skills (25 points)
Each act is then awarded a Medal as follows:
Platinum Award (90-100 points)
Gold Award (80-89 points)
Silver Award (70-79 points)
Bronze Award (60-69 points)
Participation Award (59 points or less)
When more than one judge is present, the scores will be averaged. Scores below 60 points will only be eligible for a Participation Award and cannot place 1st, 2nd or 3rd. The judges decision is final and no further discussion will be entered into after the awards have been presented.
PRIZES
Prizes are awarded at the Awards Presentation which takes place soon after each session is complete. Prizes available at each competition:
Solo Star of the Finals - $250 cash plus trophy
Awarded to the Solo with the highest score of the competition (all sections except Open Talent)
Duo/Trio Star of the Finals - $250 cash plus trophy
Awarded to the Duo/Trio with the highest score of the competition (all sections except Open Talent)
Group Star of the Finals- $250 cash plus trophy
Awarded to the Group with the highest score of the competition (all sections except Open Talent)
Open Talent Award - $150 cash
Awarded to the highest score in the Open Talent section
Cash prizes require a minimum number of entries. NOW Talent reserves the right to reduce the cash prize for competitions with lower entry numbers.
Every performance is awarded with a Medal - these are graded as follows: Bronze Award, Silver Award, Gold Award, Platinum Award. The level of award given is based on the overall score for that performance.
Trophies are also awarded to those who place 1st, 2nd and 3rd in each section.
Groups will receive a large trophy for placing 1st, 2nd or 3rd and special Finals ribbons for all performers.
Certificates are awarded to the Overall Highest Scores for Solos, Duo/Trios and Groups.
** YOU MUST BE PRESENT AT THE AWARDS PRESENTATION TO RECEIVE YOUR PRIZES - NO AWARDS WILL BE GIVEN OUT AFTER THE EVENT **
Star of Stars Showcase
Have you won Star of the Show at one of our 2020/21 events? Return to compete at FINALS and you will also be invited to participate in our Star of Stars Showcase on the final night!
There is NO CHARGE to enter. You must perform your winning routine from your 2020 event. All acts (solos, duo/trios and groups) in all age groups will compete against each other. A panel of special guest judges will choose the winner who will receive the title of STAR OF STARS!
This will be a fun final event at our Finals and there is a small charge of $5 per person to watch. Star of Stars performers will be able to watch for FREE. This is the only event at Finals which has a door charge. Please bring lots of supporters!
There is NO CHARGE to enter. You must perform your winning routine from your 2020 event. All acts (solos, duo/trios and groups) in all age groups will compete against each other. A panel of special guest judges will choose the winner who will receive the title of STAR OF STARS!
This will be a fun final event at our Finals and there is a small charge of $5 per person to watch. Star of Stars performers will be able to watch for FREE. This is the only event at Finals which has a door charge. Please bring lots of supporters!