MIDWEST NATIONALS / branson /
JUNE 18-24 2025
COMPETITION SCHEDULE WILL BE AVAILABLE APPROXIMATELY TWO WEEKS PRIOR TO THE EVENT
discount DATE:
PAY BY may 05 TO APPLY YOUR DISCOUNT
CLOSING DATE:
THE LAST DAY TO REGISTER AT THE STANDARD RATE: MAY 12
VENUE + hotel ACCOMODATIONS:
Spotlight Dance Cup Group Rate: $189
Cutoff Date: May 29 2025
CHATEAU ON THE LAKE RESORT + SPA / (888) 333-5253
Step into our iconic resort in Branson, Missouri. Whether you’re visiting with friends, seeing all your relatives at a long-overdue reunion, or mixing business and leisure, Chateau on the Lake invites you to discover why our comfortable suites and thoughtful amenities make guests return time and again. Experience an unforgettable gathering at a resort that’s a destination unto itself. More than 53,000 square feet of event space, along with delectable catering options, ample accommodations for diverse groups, and an experienced team of event planners make us an ideal location for a dynamic meeting, milestone celebration, or blissful wedding by the lake.
415 North State Highway 265 / Branson, MO 65616
EVENT REP:
Office Staff Gallery
Hotel will require a deposit of (1) night’s room and tax when making the reservation. Guests will not be allowed to make more than (3) reservations when booking accommodations for the duration of the Event in the same name and credit card. In the event that an individual cancellation occurs after the cutoff date of Thursday, May 29, 2025, at which time the entire reservation becomes full pre-payment and is non-refundable, the full amount of the reservation will be charged.
additional hotel booking:
Spotlight Dance Cup Group Rate: $110
Cutoff Date: June 3 2025
When booking, make a reservation under the SPOTLIGHT block.
thousand hills resort hotel / (877) 815-0990
Nestled in the heart of the Ozarks, Thousand Hills Resort Hotel offers a unique blend of comfortable accommodations, modern amenities, and a prime location, making it the perfect destination for anyone traveling to Branson, Missouri. Whether you are visiting for a family vacation, a romantic getaway or a business trip, Thousand Hills Resort Hotel provides an unparalleled experience with its top-notch facilities and proximity to Branson's most popular attractions. Towering 10 stories into the Branson skyline, the Thousand Hills Resort Hotel is located in the heart of entertainment district and just off the famous Branson Strip.
Featuring spacious accommodations within walking distance of Thousand Hills Golf Course, Aquarium at the Boardwalk and The Track Family Fun Parks, Thousand Hills Resort Hotel is an ideal lodging option for leisure and family travelers, alike.
120 Wildwood Dr S / Branson, MO 65616
elite choreographer:
TBA
meet your judges:
leadership team:
OUR OTHER 2025 NATIONALS COMPETITIONS:
City Image Gallery
NATIONALS NEED-TO-KNOW INFO
QUALIFICATION:
RECEIVE A DIAMOND, RUBY, OR EMERALD PLACEMENT AT A REGIONAL EVENT, OR BY VIDEO QUALIFICATION. DANCER SUBSTITUTIONS AT A NATIONAL EVENT IS PERMITTED WHEN 50% OF THE ORIGINAL PARTICIPANTS ARE RETAINED FOR DUO/TRIO, GROUPS, LINES, AND PRODUCTIONS.
NOTE: Routines receiving the Overall High Score Award in the Diamond Class at the previous year’s National Championship Finals are ineligible to compete with the same or different dancers in the current year’s Regional or National competitions.
VIDEO QUALIFICATION
If unable to attend one or our in-person events during the regional season, routines can qualify for Nationals by registering via Video Qualification. Routines will receive one judge critique and a digital adjudication award. Login to your DanceCompGenie account for rates and deadlines (when available).
PHOTOGENIC REGISTRATION
All Regional Photogenic Winners will be automatically entered for the National Photogenic Title! If a dancer was not chosen or did not compete at a Regional event they may enter the Last Chance Photogenic contest at our National Spotlight Boutique.
SHARING THE SPOTLIGHT
All Regional Sharing the Spotlight winners are automatically entered into our National Sharing the Spotlight contest – with a chance to win up to $10,000 in scholarships for continued dance education. If a dancer was not chosen, or did not enter, at a Regional event they may enter the Last Chance Sharing the Spotlight contest. Visit the Scholarship Opportunities page to apply. All Last Chance applications must be submitted by June 1.
national title contestants
TITLE CONTESTANTS EARNING A DIAMOND OR RUBY ON THEIR TITLE SOLO AT THE REGIONAL EVENT QUALIFY TO COMPETE FOR THE NATIONAL TITLE, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER OR NOT THE CONTESTANT WON TITLE AT A REGIONAL EVENT. REGIONAL TITLE WINNERS FROM 2024 MAY COMPETE AT NATIONALS 2025 WITHOUT RE-QUALIFYING THE SPOTLIGHT TITLE PORTION IF THEY DID NOT COMPETE AT NATIONALS 2024; HOWEVER, THEY MUST QUALIFY THEIR SOLO AT A REGIONAL EVENT OR BY VIDEO QUALIFICATION. 2024 NATIONAL TITLEHOLDERS ARE INELIGIBLE TO COMPETE IN 2025 UNLESS MOVING TO A NEW AGE DIVISION. FIRST SOLO UPGRADES TO TITLE WILL NOT BE PERMITTED AT THE NATIONAL EVENT.
The National Title competition includes:
Solo performance and on-stage Title interview
Participation in the Spotlight Elite
An off-stage, group interview - participants should dress in business casual attire.
Title Promenade - participants attend all rehearsals and will dress in formal attire for the performance
spotlight elite PERFORMANCE TEAM
National Title Competitors, Regional Junior and Senior Dance Down Finalists, as well as Regional Top 10 Elite Gems soloists are eligible to participate in Spotlight Elite. This exclusive performance team will be featured in the Championship Extravaganza on the final day of competition. A registration fee is required for Dance Down Finalists and Regional Top 10 Elite Gems soloists; however, this fee is already included in the National Title Competitor fee. Must be 8 years or older to participate. Dancers registered in the Novice Gems and Future Gems Divisions are ineligible to participate.
free master classes
FREE MASTER CLASSES TAUGHT BY LEADING DANCE PROFESSIONALS WILL BE OFFERED AT ALL OF OUR NATIONAL EVENTS! PRE-REGISTRATION FOR MASTER CLASSES IS NOT REQUIRED THIS YEAR AT OUR MIDWEST OR WEST COAST NATIONALS. DANCERS SHOULD SHOW UP TO CLASS PRIOR TO THE START TIME READY TO GO. DANCERS SHOULD ONLY ATTEND ONE LEVEL OF CLASSES. ALL TITLE CONTESTANTS SHOULD STILL WEAR THEIR TITLE NUMBERS TO THEIR CLASSES.
the blacklight party!
DANCERS, TEACHERS AND PARENTS ARE WELCOME TO OUR ANNUAL BLACKLIGHT DANCE PARTY HOSTED BY YOUR FAVORITE SPOTLIGHT DJS! ADMISSION TO THE PARTY IS A SPOTLIGHT T-SHIRT, AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE AT THE SPOTLIGHT BOUTIQUE. WIN AWESOME PRIZES AND DANCE THE NIGHT AWAY WITH SPOTLIGHT STAFF AND JUDGES!
parent dance down
SPOTLIGHT’S PARENT DANCE DOWN IS THE MOST ENTERTAINING ACTIVITY DURING NATIONALS! A THEME WILL BE ANNOUNCED PRIOR TO THE EVENT AND PARENTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO DRESS THE PART. FREE TICKETS CAN BE PICKED UP AT THE SPOTLIGHT BOUTIQUE. COMPETE FOR THE PARENT DANCE DOWN CHAMPION, OR WIN FOR BEST COSTUME!
“cut above” dancers
MASTER CLASSES, REHEARSALS, + PERFORMANCE:
DANCERS TAKING MASTER CLASSES HAVE THE CHANCE TO PERFORM IN THE CHAMPIONSHIP EXTRAVAGANZA AS A “CUT ABOVE” DANCER. INSTRUCTORS WILL INVITE DANCERS FROM EACH CLASS, DESIGNATED IN REGISTRATION AS “CUT ABOVE”, TO PERFORM THE CHOREOGRAPHY DURING THE CHAMPIONSHIP EXTRAVAGANZA. ATTENDANCE AT “CUT ABOVE” REHEARSALS IS MANDATORY AND PARTICIPATING DANCERS WILL PURCHASE AN EXCLUSIVE TOP FROM THE SPOTLIGHT BOUTIQUE FOR THEIR COSTUME. NATIONAL TITLE COMPETITORS WILL BE INELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PERFORMANCES, BUT ARE INVITED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE MASTER CLASSES.
future gems championship finals + extravaganza
THE FUTURE GEMS CHAMPIONSHIP FINALS WILL OCCUR MIDWEEK PER THE SCHEDULE. TOP SCORING FUTURE GEMS GROUP AND LINE ROUTINES WILL BE INVITED TO RE-COMPETE FOR DIAMOND CLASS OVERALL AWARDS. FUTURE GEMS DIAMOND OVERALL SOLOS, DUOS/TRIOS AS WELL AS NOVICE GEMS GROUPS AND LINES WILL BE INVITED TO EXHIBIT THEIR WINNING ROUTINE AT THE CHAMPIONSHIP FINALS. IF UNABLE TO RE-COMPETE, THE ROUTINE WILL AUTOMATICALLY BE AWARDED THE LOWEST OVERALL AWARD. STUDIOS THAT DO NOT HAVE AT LEAST ONE GROUP ROUTINE COMPETING IN THE FUTURE GEMS DIAMOND CLASS, IN EACH AGE CATEGORY, MAY BE ELIGIBLE TO RE-COMPETE FOR RUBY CLASS OVERALL AWARDS. THE HIGHEST SCORING GROUP ROUTINE, RECEIVING A RUBY AWARD OR HIGHER, FROM UP TO three QUALIFYING STUDIOS, WILL BE INVITED TO RE-COMPETE.THE NOVICE GEMS DIVISION IS INELIGIBLE FOR THE RUBY CLASS.
THE FUTURE GEMS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP EXTRAVAGANZA TAKES PLACE FOLLOWING THE CHAMPIONSHIP FINALS. THIS FABULOUS AWARDS CEREMONY WILL INCLUDE JUDGE, STAFF AND STUDIO INTRODUCTION AND PERFORMANCES FROM THE CUT ABOVE DANCERS. VIP PRIORITY SEATING TICKETS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE AT THE SPOTLIGHT BOUTIQUE.
elite gems championship finals + extravaganza