DIVISIONS
CATEGORIES & TIME LIMITS
CATEGORY
SOLO
DUO/TRIO
SMALL GROUP
LARGE GROUP
LINE
EXTENDED LINE
# OF DANCERS
1
2-3
4-9
10-15
16-24
25+
TIME LIMIT
3:00
3:00
3:00
4:00
4:00
5:00
- Time limits apply to the entirety of the performance, not the length of the music track.
- Each routine is allowed a 5-second grace period beyond the time limit.
- Routines that exceed this grace period without purchasing extended time may receive an automatic deduction of one point for every 5 seconds over.
- Extended time is available for Small Groups, Large Groups, Lines and Extended Lines, and may be purchased at a rate of $5 per-dancer per-minute, up to a maximum of 3 additional minutes.
AGE DIVISIONS
AGE DIVISION
PEEWEE
MINI
JUNIOR
TEEN
SENIOR
OPEN
AVERAGE AGE OF DANCERS
5-7
8-10
11-12
13-15
16-19
20+
- All Press Play ages (Workshop & Competition) are determined as of January 1, 2026.
- All competing dancers should be prepared to provide a birth certificate if age verification is requested.
- To calculate the average age of a routine, add all dancers' ages together and divide by the total number of performers. Always drop the decimal when determining the final age. For example, if the average is 12.8, the routine would be placed in the 11–12 age division.
- A routine’s average age cannot be more than one age division below the oldest dancer in the group, regardless of the actual average. For example, if a routine includes dancers ages 12 through 17, the entry cannot compete in an age division younger than Teen (13-15), which is one division below the oldest dancer at age 17.
- Any routine that includes a dancer who is 21 or older must compete in the Open age division (20+), regardless of the routine’s average age.
- Group routines with four or more dancers are permitted to compete in the next age division up. However, they may only move up one age category from their actual calculated division.
- Dancers must be officially registered for every routine they perform in to be eligible to compete.
- Any dancer who is two or more years younger than the average age of the routine must participate in a meaningful and substantial portion of the choreography.
- All individuals on stage during a performance, whether seen by the judges or not, must be included in the total number of registered dancers.
PRODUCTION DIVISION
Press Play is thrilled to introduce something new to the convention circuit! After listening to your feedback, we’re launching a separate Performance Division specifically for Production routines! Production routines are large-scale, theatrical performances that go beyond standard group choreography. This division is meant to highlight routines that showcase full-scale creativity, production value, and storytelling. When registering, “Production” will be a Performance Division to select, just as you would for Tap, Jazz or Ballet. These routines must feature 16 or more dancers (only Lines & Extended Lines) and include one or more of the following elements:
Multi-Genre Choreography (featuring two or more distinct dance styles)
Narrative or Story Arc (a clear storyline or conceptual throughline from beginning to end)
Oversized Props (For detailed Prop rules, please review the Fine Print section in the menu above.)
Extended Setup Time (due to staging or technical requirements)
Extended Performance Duration (Routines longer than the allotted time limit may purchase extra time at a rate of $5 per-dancer per-minute, up to a maximum of 3 additional minutes.)
- All Production routines will compete within their designated age division—PeeWee, Mini, Junior, Teen, Senior, or Open. At Awards, Press Play will recognize placements within each division, such as 1st Place Mini Production, 2nd Place Mini Production, and so on.
- Judges reserve the right to move a routine into or out of the Production Division, without penalty, if they feel it has been miscategorized based on the scale, concept, or structure of the performance.
- Please review the Fine Print section in the menu above for more rules and regulations.
PERFORMANCE DIVISIONS
JAZZ
Jazz is a high-energy, stylized form rooted in strong technique and musicality. It encompasses a wide range of styles including Classical Jazz, Latin Jazz, Afro Jazz, Commercial Jazz, Street Jazz, and Broadway. Jazz is known for its bold movements, clean lines, isolations, and dynamic shapes. Music is often upbeat, and dancers are expected to reflect its tone and character through performance and expression.
BALLET
Ballet is a classical, codified technique built on precise movement, turnout, and control. It emphasizes grace, line, and musicality, with choreography rooted in traditional vocabulary. Ballet may be performed in ballet or pointe shoes and routines often reflect harmony, structure, and elegance. Strong technique is fundamental.
CONTEMPORARY BALLET
INDUSTRY FIRST!
Contemporary Ballet is a fusion of classical ballet and neo-classical ballet technique with elements of modern and contemporary dance. This style maintains the precision and foundational movements of classical ballet while incorporating expressive, fluid, and often abstract choreography. Dancers may perform in pointe shoes, flat ballet shoes, or barefoot, depending on the choreographic intent. Contemporary Ballet emphasizes versatility, allowing for a broader range of motion, use of floor work, and innovative partnering, distinguishing it from traditional ballet and contemporary dance styles.
TAP
Tap is a rhythmic, percussive dance style where sound is created through metal taps or hard-soled shoes. In tap routines, both the movement and the sound hold equal importance—dancers not only follow music but also create it through their footwork. Choreography emphasizes clean rhythms, precision, and musicality, making technical accuracy critical to both the auditory and visual experience.
CONTEMPORARY
Contemporary dance is a genre-blending style that draws from ballet, modern, and jazz, often incorporating abstract or conceptual storytelling. It is known for inventive movement, emotional depth, and musical versatility. Dancers use their bodies to interpret themes, textures, and soundscapes, often prioritizing intention and innovation over structure and tradition.
HIP-HOP
Hip-hop is a vibrant and ever-evolving dance style rooted in street culture. It draws from foundational styles like Breaking, Locking, Popping, and House, while also embracing current commercial trends and social dance influences. Routines are driven by rhythm, musicality, and individuality, often emphasizing groove, texture, and storytelling through movement. Authenticity, creativity, and respect for the culture are central to the style.
LYRICAL
Lyrical dance blends ballet and jazz technique to create expressive, emotionally-driven movement. Routines often interpret the lyrics or mood of the music, aiming to tell a story or evoke feeling. Strength, fluidity, and control are essential, as dancers are expected to connect deeply with the music and embody its meaning through every step.
MUSICAL THEATRE
Musical Theatre routines focus on storytelling and character through dance. Often set to songs from Broadway or film musicals, this style may include lip-syncing, acting, and heightened performance elements. Choreography is typically jazz-based but may include tap or other styles as long as the narrative remains clear.
BALLROOM
Ballroom is a dance style that blends technical precision with expressive storytelling. It includes both Latin and Standard styles such as Waltz, Tango, Cha-Cha, Rumba, Samba, Jive, and more. Each style is defined by specific footwork, posture, and body alignment, with attention to timing, connection, and presentation. Whether fiery and energetic or smooth and elegant, ballroom routines highlight musical interpretation, partnership, and stylistic flair.
ACRO
Acro is a fusion of classical dance technique and controlled acrobatic elements such as aerials, walkovers and handsprings. While tricks are a key component, they must be seamlessly integrated into the choreography and musicality of the piece. Routines should maintain a balance between acrobatic skill and expressive dance performance.
SPECIALTY
Specialty routines fall outside of traditional category definitions and may blend or incorporate styles such as Irish, Afro, Jazz Funk, Character, Clogging, World Dance, or others. Dancers must demonstrate technical skill across the chosen styles, with choreography and concept clearly communicated and cohesively executed.
CRITIQUE ONLY
Entries that wish to perform for critiques only. These routines will not be scored and will not be eligible for Adjudicated or High Score Awards.
PERFORMANCE ONLY
Entries that wish to only perform. These routines will not be critiqued or scored and will not be eligible for Adjudicated or High Score Awards.
IMPROVISATION
Involves creating and executing movement spontaneously, without any premeditated movement. Dancers entered in this category will not know the song being played ahead of time. The DJ will ask the dancer what “style” they would like and then select a corresponding song at random. Length will be no more than 2 minutes and 30 seconds.
Judges reserve the right to change the Performance division, without penalty, if they feel it has been miscategorized.
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