COMPETITION DETAIL

This competition had some issues with the sound system early in the morning. I thought this was the reason it seemed poorly run. Unfortunately, even after that was resolved the dynamic never changed. They were super disorganized with music. One studio had to come back on 4 times because they kept playing the wrong music. Another studio had their music cut short and had to reperform their dance. Not only did they not mention certain scores during adjudications, but they barely even acknowledged overalls. I’m shocked at how many times some dances scores weren’t announced because it “wasn’t written on her paper”. The MC raced through adjudications where you couldn’t even hear scores. I believe they only did a top 3 even when there were over 20 dances. During final awards some studios didn’t have any acknowledgment of their graduating Seniors when other studios had theirs announced. The venue was great though. Ample parking and close to places to grab food. Certain things aren’t always under the competitions control. There are always hiccups. With this competition most of the issues and displeasure comes from the company running it. Not the venue or other attendees. We voiced to our studio that we absolutely do not want to attend OpenCall in the future.

the competition was super unprofessional. this competition was in warren, nj. they blamed the sound problems on the performing arts center crew quitting, but in reality it was them. they didn’t have microphones for the first day, and for half of the second day. they were late on time, and made the competition a stand up comedy when they messed up. several adjudications weren’t named, so they had to go back to it. they were all about kindness, but didn’t do anything when a studio talked bad about another. judging was decent. i do not recommend this competition. it ran horribly.

Scoring is extremely tough. As in, SILVER was the average ajudication. I'm all about scoring fairly (as a judge myself) but I do feel a silver should be reserved for the "bottom" - not the "average" performance. More important than the ajudications - I am not happy with the quality of the critiques. The bios from each judge were incredible and all three of them hardly spoke. When they did more often than not they were very negative in the way they presented it. It's not always what you say but HOW you say it. Always assume the critiques are being played for the kids. Positives: beautiful venue in a great location, very low entry fees, excellent and easy communication with the director before, during and after. There is an improv category and improv challenge which I appreciate. There is also a master class prior to the start of competition. The awards themselves are decent quality and look nice. Overall my impression is this competition would be good for kids who are used to competing at conventions and don't mind getting knocked down a few pegs. (But even then - my 5 hour a week students scored higher at Radix?) I had two studios in attendance who are both very new to the competition world and this was not a good experience for them.

We attended an event put on by this company this past month and was thoroughly disappointed. Just a lot of things that were off in my opinion. The director made an announcement (while meaning well) for everyone to clap for every routine onstage. Followed up by the statement that she had been working with most of the studios this competition since 6th grade. The venue was confusing just one sign for dressing areas that the kids and parents couldn’t find. The staff pointed out the dressing area but would never get up to show anyone where it was. Also the young backstage assistant who was absolutely adorable and sweet also competed a solo and won a scholarship. Which is fine and I’m sure she deserved it. But I had a lot of questions that I didn’t have answers for from my dance parents who actually notice those sort of things. From an outside perspective it seems that there were close relationships between the staff and the returning studio directors. Again just my opinion and feedback, it jus wasn’t worth the hassle of upset parents.

My daughter had the most amazing time last year at Open Call. After years of Bullying we moved to a new studio and Open Call was our first Comp after the move. Not only did she win, but she was the winner of the entire competition with her solo. It was a amazing transition from being treated poorly and not placing to getting rid of all the horrible things she was experiencing to winning. Open Call was confirmation that she was a good dancer and it was the weight of pain holding her down. We will forever be grateful for the amazing experience we had with this competition.

Venue was excellent. Emcee was fun, entertaining. Staff was kind and there was plenty of staff available if you needed any assistance. If you email, you will get a response also immediately, which is great! My only reason for not five stars is bc went I went to get my music and score cards from the stage music man, he had no idea what I was talking about and said to go \"ask someone up front\". I\'ve always picked up music from the dj/sound man so this was a little bit of a shock. OC does do a lot of \"other\" contests besides the typical awards so that gave other people an chance to win something. They have trending and instagram photo contests, etc. They DO NOT give trophies. Only first gets a plaque. Two runners up get tshirts, etc. My child\'s medal\'s for her two solo\'s were really pretty cool They are clear and they do state the level of award. They are of higher quality. I wish they sold \"dance pins\" with OC on it but I was told they do not do that by merchandising staff member. One thing that should be noted that I feel is not a reflection of the competition rather the judges opinion is that she made a prejudice statement towards children in foster care on my video critique. She stated she felt that my child\'s costume wasn\'t appropriate for a piece on foster care and it really made feel she felt a child in foster care should be dressed \"poor\" or \"dirty\". I\'m my child\'s choreographer but my husband and I are both social workers and foster children come from all types of social economic backgrounds. To assume that my child should have been dressed \"down\" or \"poor\" shows HER lack of knowledge on the subject. Thought was put into her costume bc of her acro skills, a skirt would not be appropriate. In fact my child was wearing navy bc that is the child abuse awareness color. Due to her comments, my child will never go to anything she is teaching or her \"talent agency\" she works for host. We will do OC again. Anything Pam Chancey touches is AWESOME!

Competition was well run. Excellent venue. Staff was helpful & friendly before, during and after the competition. I disliked the scoring rubric as I feel technique score should count more than overall impression/costume score. Technique, presentation, choreography, musicality, and overall impression were each scored with each counting 20 points. Doesn\'t seem to me that overall impression (costume, hair/makeup, entrance/exit & entertainment value) should count as much as technique because they are very subjective opinions as technique is either good or bad. Just my opinion for what it\'s worth. Also, some of the video critiques by the judges were rather harsh as one judge said she was tired of seeing the same dance, same costume, same music at every competition she goes to. Sadly, I don\'t follow her around to see what she sees each week so that shouldn\'t be held against the dancer that her choreographer has chosen a popular piece of music. I do know she doesn\'t see the same costume as my daughters was custom made for her. Also, there were several extra scholarship . It was a good competition but I probably would not choose to go back if I had a choice of any other one

This weekend we attended Open Call for the first time. Here is the good, the bad, and ugly. First the good: The venue was great! Nice stage, lighting, background, and plenty of dressing room space. We also liked that everything was well marked and staffed. We also liked that this competition offered a master class. The Bad: After receiving a set schedule, we were advised that solo/duo/trio day would be Sat. and groups were on Sun. We were very hopeful that the day would run ahead (therefore getting to awards quicker) but Open Call squeezed in multiple (20+) groups throughout the morning and afternoon, dragging the competition out. Unfortunately there were no awards ceremonies for each age division, so if you performed a solo first thing in the morning, you couldn\'t leave until an afternoon awards. We also disliked the fact that Apprentice level and Company level adjudications were the same point scale. Why have two levels if the adjudication scales are the same? The Ugly: This competition didn\'t provide any teachers/owners with programs, so there were multiple teachers/owners backstage and in the dressing room areas constantly having to ask what number they were on, trying to figure out when their next dancer was onstage, etc. Seriously they can\'t provide a program to the director? That was a SUPER cheap decision. Our studio teachers/directors pay enough to give up their day at competition, drive as long as an hour across the valley, pay parking, pay for a quick lunch/dinner, etc. Adding another ten bucks for a program is ridiculous! First competition I have heard of that has done that! The picture/DVD\'s were ridiculous! Crazy prices (starting at 99 bucks), but you couldn\'t see your photos/videos first. In order to view the photos, each photo had to load (mind you sometimes 30+ pictures) on an average of a minute each!!! Who has time to wait 20-30 min to view photos of each dance? Our studio will be picking another competition next year.

We have had two very poor experiences in a row (two different years). We will not be returning. They show a great deal of studio favoritism to the studios that bring the most numbers, they have rules that they do not follow, and their awards are disorganized.

Review Has Been Locked - 'Disputed'

This is a tough but fair competition. It\'s run well and stays on time. My only major complaint is the awards can be so long from the time the dancers compete.

One of our favorites. We attend every year as an independent. VERY fair scoring. Son loves this competition! This is our first comp of the year, so we use their fair, yet tough judging as a catalyst to score our solos off of.

Will never go back! Very obvious studio/dancer favorites at this competition. If you go as small studio or you are independent, beware!!!! It was more than obvious! This competition has different rules with tumbling. They limit it in most categories, and that is fine. Our number was redone to prepare. The rules state a .5 point deduction per judge for each extra tumbling trick. My question is, how can a dancer in Open (3 passes allowed) do 10 passes and still score the highest level of award...a Black Diamond? Studio favoritism is why. Don\'t have rules if your judges are not going to follow them!! In response to below...go check some of your Open category videos!! I will repeat...No dancer with 10+ passes should get a Black Diamond!! Studio favoritism at its best!!

We attended Nationals this year and thought the event was very well done, although small. I hope they gain some traction and grow because the experience was very good and my dancers grew as a result of the week.

A really professionally run competition. Love that they are judged hard but fair. Not everyone gets the highest scores. Loved the master classes they offered as well. Great competition.

One of my favorites. Awesome opportunity to have a meet and greet with the judges prior to the competition. The judges talked to the dancers and told them what they were looking for and answered any questions about what it is like to be a professional dancer. The staff was so professional and made you feel welcome.

Very professionally run event with friendly and enthusiastic staff.

I liked how organized they were and i think this comp. gives a lot of good opportunities with it.

A well organized competition with so many scholarship opportunities for dancers! It\'s a really great competition if you\'re an advanced dancer. But my dancers are intermediate and Open Call does not have levels. I suggested that they have at least 2 levels on their survey...until then we won\'t be returning to Open Call. There\'s just no room for the intermediate dancer to shine there.

Loved this competition! Positives: master classes offered by some of the judges. Scoring was very tough and not everyone got the best. I thought it was very fair with only the most exceptional routines receiving the highest medal. The staff is very friendly and helpful and went out of their way to make the experience special. Ran on time and scheduled a lunch break. Lots of scholarships to top notch conventions. Negatives: none. If you are thinking about doing this one you should!!

Beautiful location at McCoy Center in New Albany, Ohio. The stage, backdrop and organization we really good. It is a different competition with no levels. Judging seemed a little one sided. It seems like they are looking for only one type of dancer that is more towards modern dancing. Seemed like all that got the judges awards and scholarships were studios that follow them with all their different conventions and competitions. The critiques were really helpful the judges gave us. Overall a very nice competition, just seemed a little on sided and unfair with special awards and scholarships. They definitely had a favorite studio at the competition.

Professionally run, fairly scored, simple stage with lighting to complement your routine. Great prizes (scholarships for Broadway Dance Center for example).

I love Open Call. The judging is fair and spot-on. There will always be a time when you don\'t agree with the results but it\'s something you will have to just get over. I love it

was not impressed. Although some of the talent was great and that was enjoyable, watching a \"non technical\" number walk away with the top prize makes you question the judging. I have seen it before when judges know the directors and the scoring for that studio is better than deserved. Open call was also the most expensive competition we attended.

Wonderful Experience. No surprise though, because this is the same fantastic company that puts on The Pulse, Teacher Workshop, SYTYCD Experience, and more. . . These guys are incredibly connected into the professional word and they know exactly what they are doing. The competition venues are professional and beautiful (we went to two regionals this year), and the staff is the most helpful I\'ve ever encountered. All of the judges are either talent agents or working in the industry and their feedback is honest and extremely helpful. There are no \"levels\" at this competition, so it\'s good to tkae students to experience what it would be like an a real audition or talent call- everyone competes against everyone else (no broken down little categories). They give away REAL scholarships (Pulse, BDC, Pushing Progress, and tons more). We love Open Call because it is different, and gives our students opportunities that they won\'t get at any other competition. Even though this is a new competition, I know word is spreading fast on the wonderful things they are doing- can\'t WAIT to go back!

Nice competition. Good feedback from the judges.

Great experience. Be prepared to spend the entire day there though. They do solos by category not age. You have to be there for the \"final\" award ceremony at the end of the day.