AGE CATEGORIES

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• For non qualifying festivals  South Theatre Arts take the competitors age on the first day of the competition they are attending. i.e. for our February Competition – Qualifying age would be based on their age as of 21st February 2025.

• South Theatre Arts Festival reserves the right to request proof of age if necessary, in the case of a dispute.

• Please note that Play & Perform booking system will automatically show classes available to enter applicable to the date of birth provided.  

• Classes may be amalgamated if there are insufficient entries in any class or split in the case of a very large entry

• Strictly no fees will be refunded under any circumstance – including having to self-isolate as costs will have already been incurred. 

• Performance timings for Age categories can be found here».

Please refer to the Festival Guidelines for further details and terms and conditions.

1. The age of competitors for our July 2025 festival is taken from the age as of 31st August 2024. Accuracy in birth dates is essential. Submission of incorrect ages may lead to disqualification and, in cases of doubt, a birth certificate may have to be produced.
2. No dancer in a solo section may dance in a higher age category.
3. The age of the eldest competitor in a Duet, Trio / Quartet or Small Group / Group determines the correct age group.
4. Pointe work is not allowed for any competitor under 13 years old.
5. For qualifying sections, competitors under 13 may not be included in Contemporary or Contemporary Ballet sections.
6. 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.
7. Schools may enter twice in their age group for each dance technique in a Group Section with a maximum overall (throughout all sections) of 20 Junior Groups, 25 Intermediate Groups and 25 Senior Groups.
8. Within these overall maximum limits, schools may enter group dances in their age groups in both Small Group and Group sections (2 x Small Groups and 2 x Groups).
9. A school with a Small Group or Group placed 1st at the National Finals may enter a Group with the same category in the next competition, but thereafter not for the subsequent two competitions, regardless of the placing achieved on the second occasion. A change of age group or genre will not circumvent this rule. 
10. South Theatre Arts Festival reserves the right to request proof of age if necessary, in the case of a dispute.
11. Please note that Play & Perform booking system will automatically show classes available to enter applicable to the date of birth provided.  
12. Classes may be amalgamated if there are insufficient entries in any class or split in the case of a very large entry
13. Strictly no fees will be refunded under any circumstance – including having to self-isolate as costs will have already been incurred. 

Please refer to the Festival Guidelines for further details and terms and conditions.