15.

THEMATIC DANCE ROUTINE

1. GENERALITIES: The Thematic Dance routine is a medium for Teams to express themselves artistically in the shape of a theme, a mood or dramatically as skillful exponents of precision. It must be realised that this segment differs from the Thematic Drill and Exhibition Drill Routines in that Teams are expected to be more theatrical, more expressive and more artistic, displaying skill in characterisation. 2. DEFINITION OF THE THEMATIC DANCE ROUTINE: The Thematic Dance Routine is a display wherein Teams may perform a free-choice interpretation of a story/theme/dance/pantomime within the specified rules. Movement must correlate to the music being played, and the idea being expressed should be reasonably clear. However, it should be remembered that a certain amount of license will be given to artistically present an idea in accordance with the performers interpretation of it. The display/play should demonstrate variety, versatility, physical flexibility, some difficulty with sureness of performance and have visual value. The total effect should blend visually and musically and above all be artistically or dramatically entertaining. The work must be set to the music being played and choreographed to come within the context of the idea being presented. The movements themselves should be in character with actions sequenced to create interest (highlights). 3. PERMISSIBLE: 4. Maximum of twenty team members Variation of music rate/timing Freedom to express the character / theme Performing on the spot movements without stepping and Static Poses Gymnastics skills, with reasonable safety Touching other members/ground Skits and theatricals Stage props to set the scene Movement of stage props throughout the performance Silent Passages to enhance the performance (except at Start) Silent Passage at completion of routine to allow for audience appreciation Freestyle Salutation as the team exits the area
JUNIOR SECTION ONLY

Articles, hand carried as Props (NB - carried by an individual)

NOT PERMISSIBLE: Less than six team members Inappropriate music (ie. explicit language, profanity and/or suggestive references) Silent passages at Start of Performance Non-recovery of Stage Props

Junior Section Only Non recovery of Props before leaving the area

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5. DESIRABLE: Moving to the Start position in character Moving from the area in character Rapport with the audience Quality of facial and physical expression within character/theme Variety - patterns/speeds/bodily movements Range of Pathways and Traveling Steps Complex movements / patterns / drills (individual thinking, timing, and maintenance of position by individual members) Demonstration of physical flexibility All team members used to demonstrate intricate moves Unison within movement and formations Actions in harmony with music Changes of musical rate Every member an integral part of each routine, unless the musical accompaniment occasionally calls for a solo or small group routine Effective use of time and space - area and time employed effectively to produce a striking impression of movement, dynamically flowing Actions sequenced to create interest - highlights Precision in timing / movements as appropriate to the idea being presented (drill/dance) Entertainment UNDESIRABLE: Any dangerous moves (State Chief Judge shall adjudicate as appropriate) Inappropriate dance moves (ie. any movement or choreography implying something improper or offensive Release of articles which decrease on-field visibility and initiate asthma Music and movement not in harmony Group movement not in unison Monotony of music Monotony of presentation Absence of highlights COSTUME: The costume will befit the character/theme being portrayed. The costume should be appropriate for family viewing and conducive to safe practices and performances. Coaches should consider ALL performers body types when choosing a costume style The costume should comfortably fit the performer, and the performer should feel comfortable performing in the costume There is no requirement for the Freestyle costume to be registered. PROPS: Visual Props as part of staging (ie hat, cane, umbrella, broom etc.) may be carried in which case they will be removed from the area by team members. In lieu of a Prop Drilldance Routine, Junior Teams may use manipulated props in the Thematic Dance Routine, in which case they will be removed from the area by team members.

8.

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9. STAGING PROPS: Staging Props to set the scene may be used provided they are easily moved to and from the area/stage. The team may move the staging props onto the area as part of their planned entry to the area or they may provide stagehands to assist in which case they will do so as smartly as possible with a minimum of fuss. The staging props may be removed from the area at the completion of the performance by the team as part of the exit or by their own stagehands, again as smartly as possible with a minimum of fuss.

10.

FREE CHOICE MUSIC: The music is own choice. It may be a set piece or tailored to fit the performance. It can be played by any instrumentation. If different musical themes are used, they must be linked and as unified as possible. There may be sounds or silent passages designed to compliment the performance, except at Start. CD-Rs & CD cases must be clearly marked with team name and discipline. If difficulties arise in obtaining CD-Rs, please contact your State Chiefs. RECTANGLE

11.

AREA:

OUTDOORS/INDOORS: 2OM X 15M - otherwise Teams to be notified in advance. 12.

START FORMATION: Free choice - all members within boundaries, any formation, any spacing between individual members.

13.

FINISH FORMATION: Free choice - all members within the boundaries, preferably toward centre/front.

14.

OUT OF BOUNDS: It is not permissible to step out or over the boundary line during the Artistic Freestyle. A devaluation will be taken on each occasion. An occasion may be one or more than one member stepping over the boundary during a segment (movement) of the routine. NB. This refers to the feet.

15.

TIMING: The duration of the Thematic Drilldance Routine will be: Junior (U/9) Junior (U/12) Intermediate Senior - 1.00 minute to 2.00 minutes. - 2.00 minutes to 2.30 minutes - 2.30 minutes to 3.30 minutes. - 3.00 minutes to 4.00 minutes.

The timing of the Thematic Drilldance Routine will commence on the START of the music. The timing will finish at the end of the two second static pose at the completion of the routine. There will be a devaluation from the prescribed score, of one point per second for each second outside the tolerance.

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16.

PLAYING OF ACCOMPANIMENT: Team music will cease to play as the team crosses the side boundary. The Team at the Assembly Area will commence to step to the Start Position as the previous Team turns to move from the competition area.

17.

PRIOR TO COMMENCEMENT: The Team, will step to the appropriate Assembly Point, in an orderly manner. On the direction from the Marshal, the Team will move from the Assembly Point to the area/stage in a pre-arranged manner, with or without staging props as appropriate, and take up the Start Formation. The Team shall remain in a relaxed position. Props (if appropriate) may be hand-held at Start. Note: The Team may enter the competition area from the rear boundary, a side boundary, or from rear and side boundaries at the same time all in a pre-arranged manner.

18.

AT START: The Marshal shall check that the judges have completed their previous work, then direct: Judges Ready (Holding up Team Number Plate to be clearly visible to all Judges.) The Team will take up their starting pose. Music Ready A pre-arranged signal by the audio technician will notify the announcer that the music is ready.

The announcer will introduce the team. The cue for the music to start shall be the announcement at the completion of the introduction Team Name, you are now in competition. Whilst the entry onto the Area and the arranging of the Start formation is not judged, it would certainly benefit the Teams self esteem to present well at this time.
19.

AT FINISH: The team will stop together in any choreographed manner. At the completion of the routine, the team will hold a static pose for at least two seconds to signal the finish of the performance and to allow for audience appreciation. The selected Finish Position will be in the front half of the stipulated area preferably toward the centre. Immediately after the completion of the Static Pose (of at least 2 seconds) all members will turn Right/Left and exit the area in character over the designated side boundary. After crossing the side boundary, the team will move from the area in an orderly manner.

20.

MEMBERS IN SUPPORT: Additional members for the Thematic Dance routine may be positioned behind the rear and/or side boundaries to assist in setting the scene. The members may be posed in costume or may be positioned in or out of sight holding a scene-setting prop. Members will take care to remain outside the competition area at all times.

DrillDance Technical Handbook - 25 Juky 2012 Thematic DanceRoutine