 The open auditions, the first stage in determining a season's finalists, take place in 2 to 6 major U.S. cities each season and are typically open to anyone aged 18–30 at the time of their audition, although season 13 focused on a younger class of competitors, ages 8–14.The cities where auditions are held change from season to season but some, such as Los Angeles and New York, have featured in most seasons.During this stage, dancers perform a brief routine (typically a solo, but duet and group routines are allowed as well) before a panel of dance experts usually headed by series creator and executive producer Nigel Lythgoe.