Dance styles menu with options listed in green boxes on a black background, including Classical Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, Contemporary, Acro, Hip-Hop, Pointe, Musical Theatre, Open, Song & Dance, Modern, and Production, under the EMPRWR branding.

EMPWR Acrobatic Skills Rule

At EMPWR, acrobatic skills (“tricks”) are defined as any movement in which a dancer completes a full 360° rotation with both feet passing above the head. A connected tumbling pass is counted as ONE skill.

The following movements are permitted and not counted as acrobatic skills:
• Illusions
• Partnering lifts
• Floorwork including front and back rolls where the dancer’s feet simply pass over the head without a full 360° aerial rotation

Acrobatic Skill Limits
All disciplines are permitted a maximum of three (3) acrobatic skills per routine.
The only exceptions are:

  1. Open and Acrobatic disciplines, both of which have no skill limitations.

  2. ALL Ballet disciplines, all of which have a ZERO skill allowance.

Jazz

A routine primarily focused on jazz technique, performed to upbeat or stylized music.

Tap

A routine showcasing tap technique.

Lyrical

A blend of jazz and ballet technique, emphasizing emotional expression, musical interpretation, and fluidity. 3 Acrobatic skills are permitted.

Contemporary

A fusion of jazz, ballet, and modern techniques, often featuring grounded movement, abstract storytelling, and innovation. 3 A

Hip Hop

A high-energy routine incorporating hip hop styles such as grooves, breaking, popping, locking and commercial choreography.

Classical Ballet

A classical routine demonstrating ballet technique and traditional movement vocabulary.

Pointe

A classical ballet routine performed in pointe shoes, demonstrating advanced technique. 

Contemporary Ballet

A ballet routine that incorporates classical technique with non-traditional, modern influences.

Modern

A routine that emphasizes creativity and the expressive use of music through modern technique and structure.

Acro

A dance routine that includes a minimum of 50% acrobatic content, blended with dance movement and transitions.

Musical Theatre

A performance-driven routine where dancers portray characters through movement, expression, and storytelling. Lip syncing is permitted.

Song & Dance

A routine combining vocals and dance. Backup vocals are permitted. Performers must supply their own wireless microphones if required.

Open

A category for routines that do not fit within a single style or that blend multiple dance styles. No skill limitations. Cultural dance styles may also be entered here.

Production

For large-scale group routines (15 minutes max, including prop setup and exit) that incorporate elaborate props, storytelling, or recurring themes.