Competition information at a glance

Event detail Information

• Competition: AABC Adult Ballet Competition & Festival 2027

• Competition date: Sunday 15 August 2027

• Competition venue: Shirley Burke Theatre, Parkdale, Melbourne

• Festival training: Friday 13 August and Saturday 14 August, 2027.

• Minimum: age 18 years

• Entries close 1st July 2027 or earlier if capacity is reached

• Music deadline TBA

• Performance sections: Classical ballet, contemporary dance, pas de deux, duos, trios and groups

Registration status: Paid registrations are not yet open. Dancers can currently register their interest to receive priority notification.

Eligibility

AABC is open to adult dancers who will be 18 years or older on the competition date. There is no upper age limit.

Eligible entrants include:

• Recreational adult dancers

• First-time competitors

• Independent dancers

• Dancers returning after a break

• Experienced adult performers

• Full-time or vocational dance students aged 18 or over

• Dancers with previous pre-professional or professional experience

• Dancers who train at any dance school or with any teacher

Entrants do not need to train at many different organisations this is a welcoming and inclusive event.

Dancers currently employed as full-time professional company members or engaged under a regular professional dance performance contract are not eligible. Teaching dance or accepting occasional paid performance work does not automatically make a dancer ineligible, but this experience must be disclosed during registration.

AABC reserves the right to request further information before confirming eligibility or division placement.

Registration and payment

When paid entries open, every competitor must:

1. Complete the official individual registration form.

2. Pay the $195 Dancer Registration Fee.

3. Select and pay for at least one competition performance.

4. Accept the Competition Rules and Terms and Conditions of Entry.

5. Receive an official AABC confirmation email.

Submitting the Register Your Interest form does not reserve a competition place.

Dancer Registration Fee

Every competitor pays the $195 Dancer Registration Fee once, regardless of the number of performances entered.

It includes:

• Individual competitor registration

• Onstage warm-up class

• Competitor accreditation

• Scheduled backstage and theatre access

• Participant certificate

• Music and program administration

• Competition administration

• Compulsory platform and payment-processing charges

The Dancer Registration Fee does not include a performance.

Performance entry fees

Performance Fee

• Classical ballet or contemporary solo $185 per dancer

• Pas de deux or duo $120 per dancer

• Trio $100 per dancer

• Group of four to eight dancers $75 per dancer

All prices are in Australian dollars.

Every member of a pas de deux, duo, trio or group must complete an individual registration and pay the applicable performance fee.

Where a payment plan is offered, the instalment dates shown during registration form part of the entry conditions. All fees must be paid by the published final-payment deadline.

Cancellation, refund, transfer and event-change conditions will be governed by the Terms and Conditions accepted during registration.

Capacity and waitlists

Competition places are limited and may be filled before the published closing date.

If a section reaches capacity:

• A waitlist may be established.

• Joining the waitlist does not guarantee entry.

• A dancer offered a place must register and pay within the stated acceptance period.

• Unaccepted offers may be passed to the next eligible dancer.

AABC may close individual divisions or performance sections while keeping other sections open.

Competition divisions

Divisions are determined by the dancer’s current training, technical development and previous dance experience—not age alone.

Foundation Division

For adult dancers generally within their first one to three years of consistent training who are developing centre work and performance confidence.

Foundation dancers:

• Must perform choreography suited to their current ability.

• May enter classical ballet or contemporary dance.

• Must perform classical work in flat ballet shoes.

• May not perform a traditional classical repertoire variation.

• Have a maximum solo duration of 2 minutes.

Development Division

For recreational adult dancers generally with approximately four to eight years of training, or an equivalent level of technical development.

Development dancers:

• May perform original choreography or suitable repertoire.

• May perform in flat shoes or en pointe.

• Must have pointe work approved by an appropriate teacher or coach.

• Have a maximum solo duration of 3 minutes.

Advanced/Open Division

For highly experienced adult dancers with advanced recreational, vocational, pre-professional or previous professional training.

Advanced/Open dancers:

• May perform original choreography or suitable classical or contemporary repertoire.

• May perform in flat shoes or en pointe.

• Must disclose relevant previous vocational or professional experience.

• Have a maximum solo duration of 3 minutes.

Where necessary, AABC may contact the dancer or their teacher and recommend a different division before the final program is issued.

Age categories

A dancer’s age is calculated as at the competition date:

• 18–25 years

• 26–35 years

• 36–45 years

• 46–59 years

• 60 years and over

Dancers aged 60 and over will also be recognised within the AABC Masters category.

Age groups may be combined where entry numbers are low. Dancers will continue to be assessed within the experience level appropriate to their division.

Performance sections and time limits

Classical ballet solos

Classical entries may use original choreography or permitted classical repertoire appropriate to the dancer’s division.

• Foundation: maximum 2 minutes

• Development: maximum 3 minutes

• Advanced/Open: maximum 3 minutes

Contemporary solos

Contemporary entries may include original choreography, appropriate repertoire, interpretive work or narrative work.

• Foundation: maximum 2 minutes

• Development: maximum 3 minutes

• Advanced/Open: maximum 3 minutes

Pas de deux and duos

A pas de deux or duo consists of two registered adult dancers and may be classical or contemporary.

• Maximum duration: 4 minutes

• Partnering must be safely prepared and appropriate to both dancers.

• Full-length grand pas sequences are not accepted.

• Both dancers must meet AABC eligibility requirements.

Trios and groups

• A trio consists of three registered dancers.

• A group consists of four to eight registered dancers.

• Maximum duration: 5 minutes.

• Every performer must be aged 18 or over.

• Every performer must complete an individual registration.

Where ensemble members have different levels of experience, the performance must be entered in the division of the most experienced dancer.

Multiple performances

A dancer may enter:

• One classical solo

• One contemporary solo

• One or more pas de deux, duo, trio or group performances, subject to event capacity

Every additional performance attracts the applicable performance fee.

Choreography and repertoire

All choreography must:

• Be appropriate to the dancer’s division and technical ability.

• Fit within the published performance time.

• Be safely prepared and rehearsed.

• Meet respectful, professional and family-audience standards.

• Comply with any applicable choreography, music or performance permissions.

Entrants are responsible for obtaining permission to perform choreography that is not original, in the public domain or otherwise authorised for use.

AABC may decline choreography that presents a safety concern or is unsuitable for the event.

Pointe work and partnering

Pointe work is not compulsory.

• Foundation dancers may not compete en pointe.

• Development and Advanced/Open dancers may perform en pointe where appropriate.

• Pointe and partnering work should be approved by the dancer’s teacher or coach.

• Entrants must use professionally fitted and safely prepared pointe shoes.

• Choreography must reflect the dancer’s demonstrated ability rather than introduce unprepared technical risk.

AABC may stop a rehearsal or performance if an immediate safety concern arises.

Music submission

Registered competitors will receive instructions and an upload link after paid registration.

All competition music must:

• Be submitted by [MUSIC DEADLINE TBA].

• Be supplied as a high-quality MP3 file.

• Be fully edited and performance-ready.

• Remain within the applicable time limit.

• Contain only the music required for the entered performance.

• Be uploaded separately for each performance.

AABC and the theatre technician do not provide music-editing services.

Use the following file-name format:

Surname_FirstName_Division_Section_PieceTitle.mp3

For an ensemble:

GroupName_Division_Section_PieceTitle.mp3

Music changes after the deadline may not be accepted. Missing, incorrect or unplayable music may prevent the performance from proceeding.

Competitors must also bring a clearly labelled backup copy of every track on a USB drive. Streaming services and music played from mobile phones will not be accepted as competition backups.

Costumes and presentation

Costumes must:

• Be secure, performance-ready and suitable for the choreography.

• Allow the dancer to move safely.

• Meet respectful and professional presentation standards.

• Avoid loose items that could create a hazard.

• Avoid materials likely to damage or mark the stage.

Competitors are responsible for their own costumes, shoes, hair, make-up and costume changes.

AABC does not assess a dancer’s body size, shape, weight, age-related appearance or traditional vocational “facility.” Presentation is assessed through the dancer’s preparedness, performance quality and appropriate completion of the work.

Props and stage safety

Props must receive written approval before the competition.

Approved props must:

• Be carried and positioned safely by the performer or approved assistant.

• Be able to be placed and removed promptly.

• Leave no residue or damage.

• Fit within the published stage and venue requirements.

The following are not permitted:

• Open flames, candles or pyrotechnics

• Glass or sharp objects

• Liquids, powders, glitter or confetti

• Live animals

• Unapproved weapons or hazardous objects

• Personal rosin, substances or tape applied to the stage

Arrival and onstage warm-up

Competitors must arrive by the call time published in the final event schedule.

The included onstage warm-up is a supervised group class intended to help dancers experience the stage and prepare safely. It is not an individual rehearsal, spacing call or opportunity to perform the entered piece.

Late competitors may:

• Miss the onstage warm-up.

• Be unable to perform if their section has commenced.

• Forfeit their scheduled place where the program cannot reasonably be altered.

AABC cannot guarantee that a late performance will be rescheduled.

Backstage access and conduct

Backstage access is limited to:

• Competitors scheduled for the relevant session

• Authorised AABC and theatre personnel

• Credentialed teachers, coaches or assistants

• Approved support people where required for accessibility

Competitors must:

• Treat fellow dancers, staff, volunteers and adjudicators respectfully.

• Follow directions given by AABC and theatre personnel.

• Maintain appropriate noise levels backstage.

• Respect dressing-room and personal privacy.

• Refrain from filming or photographing in dressing rooms or backstage areas.

• Support the inclusive, adult-focused spirit of the event.

Harassment, intimidation, discriminatory conduct, deliberate disruption or unsafe behaviour may result in removal from the venue or disqualification.

Adjudication

AABC adjudicators may include experienced adult ballet coaches, former professional ballet artists, contemporary dance professionals and other recognised specialists.

Performances will be assessed according to:

• Technical understanding and quality of movement

• Musicality

• Artistry and interpretation

• Choreographic suitability

• Stage presence and presentation

• Partnership and coordination, where applicable

• Individual development within the nominated division

AABC adjudication is designed specifically for adult dancers. Competitors are assessed within the context of their division rather than against the physical or vocational expectations applied to children or full-time professional trainees.

Constructive feedback will be provided for each entered performance.

The adjudicators’ artistic decisions are final. AABC may correct an administrative, programming or calculation error where one is identified.

Competitors, teachers and supporters must not approach an adjudicator to question a result during the event.

Awards

Placements and special awards may be presented across experience divisions, age categories and performance sections.

AABC may:

• Combine sections where entry numbers are low.

• Separate sections where entry numbers support it.

• Create additional awards recognising artistry, musicality, development or performance quality.

• Adjust the final awards structure after entries close.

Every registered competitor will receive a participant certificate.

Final sections and the awards schedule will be published once competition entries have been programmed.

Health, accessibility and participation

Entrants must provide relevant information about an injury, health condition or accessibility requirement where it may materially affect safe participation or the support required at the event.

AABC will make reasonable efforts to accommodate disclosed accessibility requirements. Dancers are encouraged to contact the event team before registration if they would like to discuss a specific adjustment.

Each dancer is responsible for:

• Participating within their current physical capacity.

• Obtaining medical or allied-health advice where required.

• Arriving appropriately prepared and warmed up.

• Informing AABC if their capacity changes before performing.

Participation involves physical activity and an inherent risk of injury. The separate Terms and Conditions of Entry will contain the full liability, waiver and emergency provisions and will preserve any rights that cannot legally be excluded.

Photography and recording

Official photography or videography may operate during the festival.

Consent choices, permitted uses and purchasing information will be explained during registration. Personal photography and recording must comply with venue rules, participant privacy and any AABC instructions issued for the event.

Photography or filming in backstage areas and dressing rooms is prohibited.

Friday and Saturday festival training

The Friday Repertoire Masterclass and Saturday ABC Training Experience are optional and may also be booked by eligible adult dancers who are not competing on Sunday.

Participants must:

• Select a suitable training level.

• Follow the teacher’s safety and class instructions.

• Wear appropriate dance attire and footwear.

• Arrive before the published class time.

• Advise the teacher of relevant injuries or restrictions.

If a selected level is unsuitable, AABC may recommend a different class. Changes are subject to capacity and cannot be guaranteed.

Festival-training cancellations and transfers are governed by the booking Terms and Conditions.

Changes to entries or event arrangements

Requests to change a division, performance, music file or ensemble membership must be received by [CHANGE DEADLINE].

Changes after this date may be declined where they affect programming, adjudication sections or theatre operations.

AABC may make reasonable changes required by:

• Venue or theatre conditions

• Safety requirements

• Entry numbers

• Adjudicator availability

• Circumstances outside the organiser’s control

Material changes will be communicated to registered entrants by email and updated on the official AABC website.

Acceptance of the rules

By completing paid registration, every entrant confirms that they:

• Meet the eligibility requirements.

• Have provided accurate training and performance information.

• Have selected an appropriate division.

• Have read and accepted these Competition Rules.

• Have read and accepted the Terms and Conditions of Entry.

• Agree to follow all AABC and venue directions.

A serious or repeated breach of these rules may result in withdrawal of an entry, disqualification or removal from the event.

Frequently asked questions

Can an adult beginner enter AABC?

Yes. The Foundation Division is designed for adult dancers generally within their first one to three years of consistent training. Choreography must be appropriate to the dancer’s current level.

Can a former professional dancer enter?

Yes. Former vocational, pre-professional and professional dancers can enter the Advanced/Open Division. A dancer currently employed under a regular professional company performance contract is not eligible.

Is pointe work compulsory?

No. Foundation dancers perform in flat shoes. Development and Advanced/Open dancers may perform en pointe where it is safe and appropriate.

Does every group member need to register?

Yes. Every dancer in a pas de deux, duo, trio or group must complete an individual registration and pay the $195 Dancer Registration Fee and applicable performance fee.

Can I enter both ballet and contemporary dance?

Yes. A dancer may enter one classical ballet solo and one contemporary solo, plus eligible ensemble performances, subject to capacity.

What happens if my section fills?

A waitlist may be created. Joining a waitlist or registering your interest does not guarantee a competition place.

When will I submit my music?

Paid competitors will receive an upload link and submission instructions. Final MP3 files must be supplied by the published music deadline.

Who should I contact if I am uncertain about my division?

Ask your regular teacher or coach, or contact the AABC team for placement guidance before registering.

Questions about the competition rules?

Contact the AABC Festival team before registering if you need help with eligibility, division placement, music, accessibility or performance requirements.

Email: contact@adultballetcentre.com
Telephone: 61+ (0) 422 070 674

Train. Perform. Connect. Be recognised.

Presented by Adult Ballet Centre Melbourne.