Our refreshed Cram Heats class format will remain in three categories; Junior, Senior and Premier and will follow a class format as in previous years of a Set Warm Up, and two free contrasting sequences, choreographed by our industry teachers.

Heats may be closed prior to the advertised closing dates if submissions are oversubscribed. Early booking is advised.

JUNIORS:

8yrs to 11yrs on 1 September 2023

Must have passed ISTD Grade 3 or 4 Modern & no higher

SENIORS:

11yrs to 14yrs on 1 September 2023

Must have passed ISTD Grade 4, 5 or 6 Modern & no higher

PREMIER:

13yrs to 18yrs on 1 September 2023

Must have passed ISTD Grade 6, Intermediate Foundation, Intermediate Modern or Advanced 1 Modern & no higher

The qualifying examination for all competitors must have taken place between 1 January 2023 and 31 March 2024. There will be no exceptions to this rule.

Competitors must have been trained at the ISTD School entering them, from 1 September 2023 unless written permission is given by the previous principal which will need to be given to Head of Faculty Development.

• All competitors must be entered by an ISTD teacher and have been trained at the ISTD School entering them from the 1 September 2023.
• A limit of 6 competitors per school, per category can be entered.
   

Competitor Ticket Information

Competitor Heat Entry Fee (per competitor):

Full price: £28.00

All tickets to be booked via the ISTD website.

Filming/Photography

• Use of personal recording equipment is NOT permitted for any live/online heat or live final.

Junior

1. Set Grade 4 Warm Up
2. One longer Unset sequence
3. One shorter elevated sequence.

Free work may include the following technical content from Grade 3 and 4:

• Circular Spring
• Side Kicks
• Front Kicks
• Spin Turns at high level
• Triple Runs
• Split Runs forwards
   

Senior

1. Set Grade 5 Warm Up.
2. One longer Unset sequence
3. One shorter elevated sequence.

Free work may include the following technical content as below:

• Single Pirouette at low level, inwards/outwards
• Side Kicks
• Front Kicks 
• Any Dance vocabulary steps from Grades 4 and 5
   

Premier

1. Grade 6 Warm Up.
2. One longer Unset sequence
3. One shorter elevated sequence.

Free work may include the following technical content:

• Any Dance vocabulary steps from Intermediate Foundation and Intermediate
• Double Pirouette at high or low level, inwards/outwards
   

PLEASE NOTE THAT NO DANCES WILL BE REQUIRED TO BE RECORDED FOR THE HEATS OR AT THE LIVE FINALS

There will be 4, regional, live heats taking place across England.

• South Eastern  - New Hall, Chelmsford, Essex  - 28 April
• South Western – Bristol Performing Arts – 1532 – 28 April
• Northern – Hammond School, Chester – 28 April 
• Southern – Thornden Hall, Eastleigh, Hampshire – 5 May

Competitors may take part in any regional heat, however may only take part once.

Schools may enter up to 6 competitors, per category, across ALL live/online heats.

Cancellation Policy

• We regret that no refunds are payable once tickets are purchased and payment received.
• However, in the event that the ISTD cancel the event, a full refund will be processed

Professional Etiquette

• Please observe professional courtesy and if any teacher has concerns that need to be raised during the competition day, please email modern@istd.org
• Any complaint regarding eligibility for this competition must be submitted to the Head of Faculty Development in writing to modern@istd.org to be dealt with in the appropriate manner
• The integrity of the teacher is relied upon to ensure that the behaviour and conduct of their competitors on the day of the heats and finals are professional and do not disturb the enjoyment of others and the smooth running of the event.

Once the event is launched, teachers will purchase their competitors’ tickets for the appropriate age category.

Once Teachers purchase the online heats tickets, they will automatically receive the 2 sequences of unset work as a recording on the automatic email. They should then teach these 2 sequences to their competitors in class.

Once taught, the teachers will then record their competitor performing the Set Warm Up and the 2 sequences, in one continuous class without being edited.

Once the recording is completed this is uploaded to the MTH Dropbox link given on the Eventbrite confirmation email.

Videos of competitors work will be submitted to Dropbox 2 April 2024 and adjudicated and published by 13 May 2024

Schools may enter up to 6 competitors, per category. The format laid out below assumes there are 6 competitors being recorded and teachers are asked to scale down accordingly if entering less than 6 competitors. The format for each class is as follows for all categories:

1- Line up the competitors in front of the camera and introduce them to camera with name and teacher-issued number 

2- Set Warm up– Competitors perform the Warmup in 2 groups , once through.

3- Unset longer Sequence 1– practice altogether in their groups, no more than 3 in a group. Competitors then perform this Sequence individually in numerical order, restarting the music if necessary. (if there is one dancer they can perform twice)

4- Unset shorter elevated Sequence 2– practice in 2 groups first. The competitors perform this Elevated Sequence 2 individually on the diagonal (from the right and left) once through in numerical order, restarting the music if necessary.

5- A simple bow at the end altogether without music.

For the for Scottish/Irish/Channel Island competitors

• After video submission deadline of 2 April 2024 HQ Staff will then prepare the competitors names and videos ready for adjudication.
• Each adjudicator will pick a small selection of competitors from Junior/Senior/Premier categories to be invited to take part in the live finals in London.
• Adjudication will commence from mid-April and administrators to publish finalist lists by 13 May 2024.

For International Cram competitors

• After video submission deadline of 2 April 2024 HQ Staff will then prepare the competitors names and videos ready for adjudication.
• Each adjudicator will choose a selection of finalists, class awards winners, runners up and overall winners from Junior/Senior/Premier categories as well as teachers awards.
• Adjudication will commence from mid-April and administrators to publish finalist lists by 13 May 2024.

Rules and regulations for online submissions 

• Teachers are to ensure that students have a suitable space in which to dance, move freely, that is clear of any obstacles.
• Teachers are responsible for their own pupils’ safety during this event
• The ISTD accepts no responsibility for any loss, injury or damage to you, persons around, your property or your identity.
• Anyone competing at this event does so at their own risk. The ISTD will not accept any responsibility for any injury or situation.
• Teachers are responsible for Under 18s and will ensure that parent/guardian consent has been obtained for them to appear on the recorded footage, these competitors must be always supervised by an adult
• All of the free sequences have been choreographed by industry faculty artists and vetted by our Modern Theatre Committee to be in line with each level as stated.
• Competitors must take part from a hall or studio ONLY, supervised by an ISTD teacher that is DBS checked and all personal items should be removed from view.
   

Guidance for filming submissions

• It is of paramount importance that the video is of good visual quality and that the music can be heard clearly.
• Teachers to ensure that their competitors have their allocated number (given by ISTD HQ) and that these MUST be worn on the front of the competitor’s dancewear whilst recording the class.
• Competitors must be visible throughout the entire recording.
• Please record your video in “landscape” NOT “portrait”.
• Please introduce dancers by name and competitor number to camera at the start of the class in order that they can be visibly identified.
• Please ensure that the recording is one continuous recording with no edits.
• Whether you use a Video Camera, DSLR Camera or Mobile Phone to record the video, please ensure the lens of the camera/phone is cleaned to avoid finger marks or dust.
• Please check the camera settings are set to the highest resolution when filming.
• Please be aware of what is behind the dancer and in the video frame. If possible, have a clear, tidy studio/performance space, with no external noises when filming.
• Videos of poor quality may affect the result of that entry.
• Videos must be submitted by ISTD teachers ONLY

TeachersName_Category_Number of Competitors  (category would be either Junior/Senior/Premier)

i.e SusanSmith_Junior_1_2_3_4_5_6

i.e SusanSmith_Senior_1_2

Safety and Security

• Consent forms will be completed by all competitors via parents/guardians in readiness for both the recorded heats and live finals (in readiness for data capture for BOPA for the live final). Any data received on the entry/consent form will be kept securely and used for the purposes of administrating this event. After a reasonable time, this will be destroyed. No data will be shared with any person or group outside the ISTD.
• Clips from recorded footage and any footage/photos from finals may be used on any ISTD publications and also on the website, DANCE magazine and social media platforms.
• Please ensure the floor is safe and that the competitors are working within COVID safe measures as stipulated by the venue.
• Teachers should ensure their competitors are fully warmed up beforehand and perform the work in a safe manner, which will not cause injury, ensuring the area chosen to dance is suitable and clear from any obstructions.
• For safeguarding and security reasons it is preferable that teachers use a recording device with a memory card when recording (preferably password protected.
• If teachers choose to use a mobile device, the footage should be uploaded immediately to the secure Dropbox link provided by the ISTD, once the footage is transferred, this should be deleted from the teacher’s device and not stored.
• All competitors will receive a digital certificate of participation with their name included.
• The adjudicators decisions are final.
• The ISTD will not be held responsible for any person in breach of their current country/local regulations.
• The ISTD reserves the right to cancel or amend the event without notice and any changes to the competition will be notified to entrants as soon as possible by the organiser.
• Principals must ensure all teachers involved in preparing pupils for the competitions are fully aware and understand the competition rules.

Cancellation Policy

• We regret that no refunds are payable once tickets are purchased and payment received.
• However, in the event that the ISTD cancel the event, a full refund will be processed

Professional Etiquette

• Please observe professional courtesy and if any teacher has concerns that need to be raised during the competition day, please email modern@istd.org
• Any complaint regarding eligibility for this competition must be submitted to the Head of Faculty Development in writing to modern@istd.org to be dealt with in the appropriate manner
• The integrity of the teacher is relied upon to ensure that the behaviour and conduct of their competitors on the day of the heats and finals are professional and do not disturb the enjoyment of others and the smooth running of the event.

T-shirts

In the ISTD’s 120th year, we are delighted have bespoke Janet Cram 2024 t-shirts available to all competitors! Please add to your cart when booking your tickets and pick up from the event. (If competing in the UK online or International online heats, we will be in touch to discuss getting the t-shirts to you).

Child T-Shirt - £13.50. Available in the following sizes:

• Youth Large (ages 9-11, chest 32)
• Youth Extra Large (ages 12-13, chest 34)
   

Adult T-shirt - £17.00. Available in the following sizes:

• Small - (chest 34-36)
• Medium - (chest 38)
• Large - (chest 40-42)
• Extra Large (chest 44-46)
   

Order yours by 2 April! T-shirts are made specifically to order and we regret no refunds or exchanges can be made after 2 April. To amend or cancel your order, please email modern@istd.org by 5pm on 2 April.

Material: 100% ringspun cotton
Weight: White 144 gsm, Cols 153 gsm

Booking terms and conditions

• Competitors must be studying with an ISTD Modern Theatre member and must be entered by the named ISTD member. 
• All entries to be submitted by the teacher and not by the parents/guardian. Receipt for acknowledgement of entry will be emailed to the teacher by way of an automatic confirmation email. 
• Teachers and competitors shall agree to abide by ALL the rules laid down for the Competition and shall accept the Adjudicator's decision as final. No individual feedback will be given. 
• Anyone competing in this event does so at their own risk and parents/carers will be asked to confirm their child is fit to participate. The Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing will not accept any responsibility for any injury. 
• Principals & Teachers – Please ensure all teachers involved in preparing pupils for the competition, are fully aware of and understand the competition rules.
• By entering the competition, the competitor confirms they are eligible to enter.
• Upon submission of your application on your competitor’s behalf you are agreeing to the criteria set above and that you agree to adhere to Terms & Conditions. 

Cancellation Policy

• We regret that no refunds are payable once tickets are purchased and payment received.
• However, in the event that the ISTD cancel the event, a full refund will be processed

Professional Etiquette

• Please observe professional courtesy and if any teacher has concerns that need to be raised during the competition day, please email modern@istd.org
• Any complaint regarding eligibility for this competition must be submitted to the Head of Faculty Development in writing to modern@istd.org to be dealt with in the appropriate manner
• The integrity of the teacher is relied upon to ensure that the behaviour and conduct of their competitors on the day of the heats and finals are professional and do not disturb the enjoyment of others and the smooth running of the event.