Competition Details
Vocal Categories
All music tracks must be free of lead vocals. Backing vocals allowed. PNW Theatre Festival provides 10 headsets and 6 handheld mics with stands.
Acting Categories
Comedy
Light, humorous scenes.
Drama
Emotionally grounded, serious scenes.
All acting pieces must use age-appropriate language.
Dance Styles & Definitions
Jazz
High-energy style with strong technique (no more than 50% hip hop).
Musical Theatre
Theatrical style using Broadway or musical film repertoire.
Hip Hop
Street-style dance with tricks and freestyle elements.
Open
Hybrid category blending multiple dance styles (≤ 50% acrobatics).
Specialty
Includes character, cultural/ethnic, or novelty choreography.
Tap Dance
Tap – Requires audible tap footwork. No pre-recorded tap sounds. Tap Overalls will be awarded separately due to the unique nature of the style.
Performance Levels
The PNW Theatre Festival is designed to foster fair and supportive competition by grouping performers based on training hours and overall experience.
These levels help ensure every artist competes with peers at a similar stage in their development.
Level placement is at the discretion of directors and coaches— please assign levels with honesty and integrity.
Star Level – Emerging/Beginning Skill
- Training 6 hours or fewer per week.
Note: At least half of those hours should be spent in technique based classes. Rehearsal hours should not exceed technique time.
- Solo can be in any category
- A second solo is permitted if it is a different category than the first
Premiere Level – Intermediate/Advanced Skill
- Training more than 6 hours per week.
- Broader entry options, including multiple solos (see below).
Solo Entry Limits
Each performer may submit up to two solos per discipline (e.g., two dance solos, two vocal solos), with a maximum of five total solos per performer.
Categories & Time Limits
Category
Time Limit
Solo (1)
2:45 – 3:15
2:45 – 3:45
Small Group (4 – 9)
3:00 – 4:00
Large Group (10 – 19)
4:00 – 6:00
Line (20+)
4:00 – 7:00
Production
8:00 – 10:00
Production Numbers
- No age division for production numbers.
- All productions compete within their level (Premier or Star) and genre (acting/vocal/etc.).
- Acting productions may be grouped separately at the discretion of festival staff.
Vocal Categories
All music tracks must be free of lead vocals. Backing vocals allowed. PNW Theatre Festival provides 10 headsets and 6 handheld mics with stands.
Acting Categories
Comedy
Light, humorous scenes.
Drama
Emotionally grounded, serious scenes.
All acting pieces must use age-appropriate language.
Dance Styles & Definitions
Jazz
High-energy style with strong technique (no more than 50% hip hop).
Musical Theatre
Theatrical style using Broadway or musical film repertoire.
Hip Hop
Street-style dance with tricks and freestyle elements.
Open
Hybrid category blending multiple dance styles (≤ 50% acrobatics).
Specialty
Includes character, cultural/ethnic, or novelty choreography.
Tap Dance
Tap – Requires audible tap footwork. No pre-recorded tap sounds. Tap Overalls will be awarded separately due to the unique nature of the style.
Age Divisions
(Age as of January 1)
- Mini (8 & under)
- Junior (9–10)
- Pre-Teen (11–12)
- Teen (13–15)
- Senior (16–19)
- Adult (20+)
Age Divisions
(Age as of January 1)
Group divisions are calculated using the average age. Decimal numbers are dropped. A group may not compete more than one division below the oldest performer’s age.
Scoring & Adjudication
Three professional judges score each act based on a 100-point system:
Score Range
Award
100–97
High Platinum
96–93
Platinum
92–89
High Gold
88–84
Gold
Overall Awards & Prizes
Category
1st Place Prize
Solo
$100
Duo/Trio
$125
Small Group
$150
Large Group
$175
Production
$200
- Solo overalls announced: Top 5 (Top 10 if 30+ entries).
- Groups & productions: Top 3 (Top 5 if 20+ entries).
- Tap overalls also separated and awarded based on the same entry thresholds.
Scoring & Adjudication
Three professional judges score each act based on a 100-point system:
Score Range Award
- 100–97 High Platinum
- 96–93 Platinum
- 92–89 High Gold
- 88–84 Gold
Only acts scoring 87 or higher are eligible for high-score awards.
Overall Awards & Prizes
Minimum number of entries required in each level to award cash prizes:
Category 1st Place Prize
- Solo $100
- Duo/Trio $125
- Small Group $150
- Large Group $175
- Production $200
- Solo overalls announced: Top 5 (Top 10 if 30+ entries).
- Groups & productions: Top 3 (Top 5 if 20+ entries).
- Tap overalls also separated and awarded based on the same entry thresholds.
Special Awards
Judge’s Choice
Selected for memorable moments onstage.
Highest Scoring Routine in Star & Premier
Awarded to the top overall score and highest scoring routine within the Star & Premier level.
Top Choreography & Staging
Given to three routines with standout creativity or storytelling.
Triple Threat Awards
Performers competing in vocal, dance, and acting (one solo per discipline) are eligible.
Premier Triple Threat
- Open to all age levels.
- Must score 92+ in each routine.
- No extra registration needed.
Star Triple Threat
- Open to all age levels.
- Two out of three routines must be Star level with scores of 92+.
- No extra registration needed.
Special Awards
Judge’s Choice
Selected for memorable moments onstage.
Highest Scoring Routine in Star & Premier
Awarded to the top overall score and highest scoring routine within the Star & Premier level.
Top Choreography & Staging
Given to three routines with standout creativity or storytelling.
Triple Threat Awards
Performers competing in vocal, dance, and acting (one solo per discipline) are eligible.
Premier Triple Threat
- Open to all age levels.
- Must score 92+ in each routine.
- No extra registration needed.
Star Triple Threat
- Open to all age levels.
- Two out of three routines must be Star level with scores of 92+. No extra registration needed.
Studio Awards
Best Company
Highest average score in overall routines (15+ acts required).
Best Ensemble
Highest average in vocal routines (5+ acts required).
Best Cast
Highest average in acting routines (5+ acts required).
PNW Festival Award Winner
This signature award recognizes studios that show excellence across all three genres (dance/tap, vocal, acting).
Studios must enter 5 routines per discipline. Highest average wins. Studio Spirit Award
Given to the studio that exemplifies professionalism, teamwork, positivity, and all around excellence—on and off the stage.
Let the PNW Theatre Festival be your stage to shine, inspire, and grow. We can’t wait to see your artistry come alive in 2026—and beyond!
Studio Awards
Best Company
Highest average score in overall routines (15+ acts required).
Best Ensemble
Highest average in vocal routines (5+ acts required).
Best Cast
Highest average in acting routines (5+ acts required).
PNW Festival Award Winner
This signature award recognizes studios that show excellence across all three genres (dance/tap, vocal, acting).
Studios must enter 5 routines per discipline. Highest average wins. Studio Spirit Award
Given to the studio that exemplifies professionalism, teamwork, positivity, and all around excellence—on and off the stage.
Let the PNW Theatre Festival be your stage to shine, inspire, and grow. We can’t wait to see your artistry come alive in 2026—and beyond!