COMPETITION MYTHBUSTER: GOING LAST

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, performing first can actually work more in your favor than going last.

There are many things that happen behind the scenes when an act is held. The program order must be changed with the emcee, tally, and the judges, not to mention all the rearranging that must take place with the backstage manager. Whether it is a judge or competition staff member that sets the judges’ computers, it takes time and must be done in haste. This adds a tremendous amount 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, I believe it subconsciously reflects in the score. Dancers that continue to perform with quick changes are usually admired, and I believe are often subconsciously rewarded. Unfortunately, there are judges that complain in the break room to each other, and to the staff, about studios that continuously hold numbers. It's always good to do all that you can to abide by the rules and follow the program.

UNFORTUNATE TRUTH: The competition industry, as is the dance industry in general, a small world. There are friendships and relationships among competition owners, competition directors, competition staff, dance studio owners, teachers, dance parents, and dancers. If there is a studio, or dancer, 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, or knows someone who knows someone.

Continuing on the topic, let me tackle the myth that 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.

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 on this one.

When you hold, the audience is loses track of where they are in the program, as do other studios and dancers. 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? 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 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. Please be considerate and understand that everyone must hustle and rush at event. This includes the competition staff and judges. The competition doesn’t enjoy rushing studios any more than the studios enjoy rushing the dancers. 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.

HELPFUL HINT: 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. Do not wait! If you have a routine that has a difficult hair and/or make-up change, please let the competition know in advance for proper scheduling. Check and make contact ... immediately.

My advice:  Go in order. Not only will you weekend go smoother, but you will help to create a more pleasant and less stressful environment for yourself and for those around you. Enjoy your season, and the gift of dance!

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

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