THE MYTH OF GOING LAST AT COMPETITION

For some reason, people seem to think that “going last” will help their score and makes a positive difference in the judges’ minds. This myth is…FALSE. Believe it or not, going first can actually work more in your favor than going last.

TIP: DON’T HOLD NUMBERS. IT NEVER WORKS IN YOUR FAVOR.

When you hold, the audience is loses track of where they are in the program, as do other studios and dancers. Think about it. How often do you as teachers, parents and dancers get upset that the competition isn’t going in order, and you don’t know where you are in the program? Holding acts adds unnecessary stress for everyone. You also take the risk of upsetting the judges, competition staff, peers, and the general audience. Here is a good rule to follow. If you complain about something specific, make sure you don’t do the thing in which you complain.

With this being said, let me discuss this topic from the judges’ and competition’s standpoint. Whether it is Judge or Tallier/Auditor that sets the computer, it takes time and must be done in haste. This adds a tremendous about of stress which can quickly change a mindset and cause distractions. I’m sure everyone has received a judge’s critique that started late and the judge had to “play catch up”. This could have happened because of a computer delay. As hard as they try, judges cannot be 100% focused on the stage if in the back of their minds they are wondering “is the computer going to work anytime soon” or “hurry and give me the right score sheet”…. or worse “I’m not on right score sheet”. If the same studio skips and holds repeatedly, the judges are very well aware, and right or wrong, it usually reflects in the score. From my experience as a Judge and National Director, I honestly believe that it happens subconsciously, but happen it does. I have watched scores come through for years and based on numbers, this is a fact. Dancers that continue to perform with quick changes are usually admired and subconsciously rewarded, I believe.

Unfortunately, there are judges that complain in the break room to each other and to the staff about studios that hold numbers. Some competition owners and staff do the same. If there is a studio that seems to have a “holding problem”, everyone will know. Trust me; you don’t want a bad reputation in this business. Everyone knows everyone, from staff to owners to judges.

Continuing on the topic, let me tackle the myth of going last is better. Believe it or not, judges are normally not aware of the “last act in the category”. Even if they are following along in a program, this is the last thing on a judge’s mind. Judging moves QUICKLY!!! There isn’t time to focus on anything but the routine on stage at that time. Judges are concentrating on scoring and verbalizing their critiques; therefore, the prior performance is forgotten. Every routine is scored on its own merit not in comparison to others. I’ve heard it said many times that people want to “go last in the competition”, “go last in the category”, “go last before the break”… It isn’t worth holding. The judges have been in the chair a long time and are looking forward to a break. Knowing they have to go back in the program to pick up an act is a negative. If you are scheduled to be last, it’s another routine that just happens to be the last one before their break and will be scored fairly with no advantage. My advice:  Go in order. You will score better if you do for these reasons.

There is also a myth that going first in a category, after a break, or at the start of the competition is a bad thing. This myth is….FALSE.  Judges are fresh, eager and excited when they start the day or set. They have usually just eaten, had a good chat with their peers and have nothing in their mind in which to make a comparison. The first act sets the bar. If you are first, don’t be upset or take it as a negative. It’s a good thing. I have watched the scores come through for years. Trust me.

It is a fact that some competitions do a better job than others at scheduling. Scheduling is a very hard task and one which I would never want.  Many competitions do the best they can in accommodating requests but no competition can please everyone in this area. With that in mind, running a show is just as hard as competing in many ways. Please be considerate and understand that everyone must hustle and rush at events, the competition staff and judges included. The competition doesn’t enjoy rushing studios any more than the studios enjoy rushing the dancers. Think about this: One studio decides they must hold because they can’t change in three acts and they aren’t the only studio with this problem. Everyone gets back up, the competition gets behind and eventually there will not be any acts between, i.e., the competition has to stop and wait because it’s the same dancers are in the last three acts before awards.  What happens then? NO ONE IS HAPPY.I bet everyone reading this has experienced this exact situation. Everyone is pressured for time and I think this is sometimes overlooked. In the professional world, quick changes happen and often in 30 seconds. Think of quick changes as preparing the students to work. If the program allows three acts for a quick change, please respect the judges, your peers and the competition staff by going in order. I’m not saying that you will not have to hurry but it’s plenty of time. I have watched people do it for years at competition and I did it with my students. It can be done but you have to be prepared. If you have less than three acts, please do your very best to make it but please perform after three acts. You will be admired and respected by all.

TIP: CHECK YOUR TENTATIVE SCHEDULE AS SOON AS YOU RECEIVE IT AND CONTACT THE COMPETITION WITH PROBLEMS OR CONCERNS IMMEDIATELY.

Most competitions send out a tentative schedule. Check your schedule immediately and contact the competition with any problems or concerns. If act numbers are not listed, you can use minutes to determine if you have three acts. Competitions generally assign 3 minutes per act number.

TIP: IF YOU HAVE A ROUTINE THAT HAS A DIFFICULT HAIR AND/OR MAKE-UP CHANGE, LET THE COMPETITION KNOW IN ADVANCE FOR PROPER SCHEDULING.

Keep in mind the person doing the scheduling with whom you are speaking generally isn’t going to be at the competition. Do not let this person tell you to deal with it at the event. They usually do not understand events because they are not dancer teachers and have never worked a show. Insist that it be taken care of prior to the final schedule. This can only be done if you contact the competition immediately….not two days after receiving your tentative schedule.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read my blog. I do not claim to know it all. I am still learning every single day. This blog is simply based on my personal experiences as a studio owner, dance teacher, judge and competition director. I hope it helps in understanding the myth and truths about holding numbers and going last. Have a wonderful competition season!

Dance hard. Dance smart.
Meredith
thecompetitiveedgebymeredith.blogspot.com

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