I. Application Process:

1. The official Master Participants list must contain names and age of all contestants as of 01/26/2025 which MUST be verified and confirmed to be accurate by the dance school prior to submission of the form.
2. Deadline for submitting the application is January 3rd, 2025.
3. Entry Fee: $60.00 per participant (Non-refundable).
4. Entry fee for any new addition to the participants list after January 3rd, 2025, will be $75/per participant (non-refundable and non-negotiable).
5. No entry will be official until a full payment is processed.
6. Please submit one application form for each group entry with the associated payment.
7. Entries will be accepted on a first come first serve basis and registration may be closed if all slots in the respective group category are reserved.

II. Rules and Regulations:

To ensure the successful execution of the event, we have the following rules and regulations. PLEASE CAREFULLY REVIEW THEM & CONSENT. Ensure correct spelling of participants’ and choreographers’ names in the attached application form. Please attach the picture of the choreographer which may be used for Brochure.

Songs: –

1. The song selection will be on a first-come-first-select basis to avoid repetition. If you are having multiple songs in a performance, please note FIA may allow repetition of a song in other performances.
2. Lively Performance Songs reflecting Indian culture and heritage are highly encouraged. Songs with explicit language are NOT allowed.
3. The song shall NOT be longer than 5 minutes. Songs playing over 5 minutes shall be subjected to negative markings as per Exhibit A.
4. Allow for a maximum of 5 seconds of blank space before the song plays.
5. FIA is planning to rent the LED video wall (40′ Wide x 10′ high) where you can use the background preferably reflecting the theme of the song. If you are not planning to utilize the video wall, FIA will use a standard background.
6. Songs with a video background shall only be submitted on a MP4 format (HD quality) and songs without video background shall only be submitted on a MP3 format. Please check the sound and video quality prior to submission.
7. Please email song to Priti Patel at secretary@fianynjct.org clearly marked with the name of the school, category, and duration of song, by January 10th, 2025.
8. FIA reserves the right to accept or reject songs at any time.

Stage/Participants: –

1. There are no limitations on the numbers of Props, but all must be submitted for approval. Props should be light enough to be carried by one participant of that category. FIA shall NOT help/assist in handling/ transferring or setting up props. Bulky/Big/Stodgy props are NOT allowed and will be denied entry to the auditorium due to safety concerns. There are no additional points for props.
2. All props MUST be submitted for approval by 01/10/2025. Any/all unapproved props will result in negative marking as per Exhibit A.
3. Dances with decent lyrics and decent dress code are highly encouraged. The FIA committee deserves the right to disqualify a performance citing inappropriate clothing.
4. Glass bangles are NOT allowed on the stage or in the dressing area citing safety concerns.
5. Dry or wet colors, grains, glitters and/or particles or material of any nature whatsoever, shall NOT be thrown on the stage, backstage and or in the dressing area. Violators shall be subjected to monetary damages.
6. Props setup time and participant set up time shall take less than 45 seconds. No additional time shall be given. Props not removed from the stage after the performance will result in to a penalty of 5 Points.
7. No aerial acts or suspension acts are allowed citing safety concerns.
8. A minimum of 8 participants per performance required. A maximum of 50 participants per performance will be allowed.
9. All participants, Choreographer and manager must get checked in by the designated FIA team member. Check-In schedule will be available one week prior to the event.
10. Only one choreographer, one manager and participants with respective wrist band will be allowed on stage and backstage. It has been observed that parents enter the backstage; Points will be deducted for Stage or backstage violators for this rule.
11. All participants are expected to come to the auditorium completely ready in their costumes and makeup. Back stage/Green Room shall be used for touch ups only.
12. During the rehearsals, everyone shall use the waiting area. Only limited spaces are available; therefore, everyone shall be sharing them respectfully. No cots, Blankets, inflatable mats, etc. are to be laid on the floor. Everyone shall make the alternate arrangements if enough room is not available during rehearsals.
13. The assignment of the green room will be based onthe number of performances per dance school and/or the number of participants.
14. All participants, managers and choreographers shall behave respectfully with FIA Team, Volunteers and follow their directions carefully and promptly. Professionalism towards the event, other teams and FIA volunteers should be always maintained. Disorderly conduct during the event will not be tolerated. No bullying or any sort of altercations (Before, During or After) permitted either verbal or via text or email; Misbehavior will not be tolerated, and violators will be escorted out of the building by the security officials. Penalty, decided by the FIA committee after reviewing the matter, will be imposed on the violating schools.
15. NO vandalism will be tolerated.

Judging Criteria: –

All categories will be judged on Choreography (20 Points), Costume (20 Points), Facial Expressions (20 Points), Overall Coordination/Presentation (20 Points), Overall Technique/Song Selection (20 Points).

1. Judges’ decision will be final.
2. Proof of participant’s age with a photo ID shall be always maintained by the dance school, and it is subject to verification anytime during the competition by the judges or the FIA committee. Choreographer/Manager of the pertaining school shall maintain and be able to furnish proof of age with a photo when needed. No Proof will result in No admission to the stage/backstage. Be honest and guide our next generation to be honest. Proofs may be verified prior to the event.
3. FIA Committee reserves the right to disqualify any dance school due to disorderly conduct and or vandalism.
4. FIA deserves the right to strip the award/ awards received by the school on account of unprofessionalism including but not limited to altercation of any kind and/or disorderly conduct.
5. There will be 3 (1st, 2nd, 3rd) cash prizes and trophies in each of Minor, Junior, and Senior and Adult Categories. Additionally, there will be 1 trophy each for the best Choreography per category, and 1 cash Prize for the Best Debut School or rising star (small schools).

Miscellaneous: –

1. NO Food and/or drinks allowed in the auditorium. FIA Team will provide Food and drinks to the participants/choreographers/managers at no extra cost.
2. Smoking is not permitted on the premises.
3. The war memorial theatre and FIA will not be responsible for any physical injury/loss incurred by any dance school and/or individual participating in the show or associated with the program or school.
4. FIA at its sole discretion upon receipt of maximum applications may close further new entries.
5. All the event photographs and videos are the property of the FIA-NY-NJ-CT-NE and can be used at the discretion of FIA in promos,at other events and other appropriate collaterals as deemed fit by the non-profit.
6. A participant is only allowed to perform in one category which was listed during the application form. A participant is allowed to perform in the older category than his/her age group. The entire performance will be disqualified if a Participant found in multiple performances or in a wrong group than registered for.
7. All participants/choreographers/managers are required to abide by the local/state/federal regulations. Please note that they may change anytime.
8. Please attach the picture of the choreographer to be used for Brochure, already part of the application form.
9. FIA reserves the right to amend rules and regulations based on the need and suggestions.

Exhibit A

Songs: –

1. Maximum of five (5) minutes per entry will be strictly enforced with a penalty point of 10 points for every 5 seconds over 5.03 minutes for all the dance categories. (- 10 every 5 seconds over 5.03 minutes).

Props: –

1. All props need prior approval. Dead line, 01/10/2025.
2. Unapproved props will result in deduction of 10 points (-10 for each unapproved prop).

Age: –

1. It is imperative that the parent and the choreographer verify the listed age of each participant before the form submission. Age verification will be requested at any time. For each Violation or participant found in the wrong category/age group, during or after the performance will result in -10 points. Participant in violation will not be allowed to perform if found prior to the performance.
2. The following is the list of categories based on the age as of 01/26/2025. No exceptions allowed.

• Minor Category: Age 11 and under
• Junior Category: Age 15 and under
• Senior Category: Age 20 and under
• Adult Category: Age 21 and above