At Press Play, all Mini, Junior, Teen, and Senior dancers (ages 8–19) will participate in the Featured Artist Scholarship Audition. Dancers audition in their age division as of January 1, 2027 and must be in their age-appropriate ballroom for both the Featured Artist Audition and the preceding Jazz combo class. Juniors, Teens, and Seniors will also learn a ballet combination during their earlier Ballet class that will be incorporated into the audition. In the audition, they’ll perform in small groups for evaluation by the Press Play faculty. Finalists will be chosen in each age division: Mini (8–10), Junior (11–12), Teen (13–15), Senior (16–19). At the conclusion of the audition, the selected dancers will be announced as Featured Artist Finalists!

Featured Artists Receive

Winners

Runners-Up

Invitation to compete for Artist of the Year at Nationals 2027

Complimentary Workshop Tuition to Nationals 2027

Personalized Jacket & Goody Bag at Nationals 2027

Free Specialty Solo Title Registration at Nationals 2027

Performance at Nationals 2027 (Teens & Seniors only)

One Regional Tour Scholarship – valid for use at any Regional event during the 2026 – 2027 & 2027 – 2028 season.

Priority Invitation to PIVOT, created by Mandy Moore (Senior Winners only. Senior Runners-up and Teen Winners if space is available.)

Featured Artists Receive

Winners

• One Regional Tour Scholarship – valid for use at any Regional event during the 2026 – 2027 & 2027 – 2028 season.
• Priority Invitation to PIVOT, created by Mandy Moore (Senior Winners only. Senior Runners-up and Teen Winners if space is available.)

Winners & Runners-Up

• Invitation to compete for Artist of the Year at Nationals 2027
• Complimentary Workshop Tuition to Nationals 2027
• Personalized Jacket & Goody Bag at Nationals 2027
• Free Specialty Solo Title Registration at Nationals 2027
• Performance at Nationals 2027 (Teens & Seniors only)

Throughout the Press Play weekend, our faculty will recognize dancers who truly stand out in class by awarding Spotlight Scholarships. These awards honor exceptional performance, passion, and artistry in specific styles - tap, jazz, ballet, hip-hop, etc.

Spotlight Scholarships may be presented to dancers ages 8–19 in the Mini, Junior, Teen, and Senior workshop levels. The number of recipients varies by city and class size. Each dancer may receive one Spotlight Scholarship per season, and one-day students are not eligible.

Spotlight Scholarship recipients will be announced in their respective ballrooms after the last class of the weekend before the Rewind (Closing Show). Recipients receive a complimentary Specialty Solo Title fee at Nationals 2027.

Press Play faculty members will each select one dancer who truly inspires the room — dancers who shine through their passion, energy, and love for dance. These exceptional individuals will be recognized as our Artists to Watch. An Artist to Watch might be someone who shows extraordinary growth, a standout work ethic, or a genuine spark that elevates those around them.

Artist to Watch recipients will be announced at the end of the Rewind (Closing Show) on Sunday and will receive complimentary workshop tuition to attend one Press Play regional event during the 2027–2028 season.