In this week’s “So You Think You Can Dance,” it’s all about the callbacks. The judges are getting a chance to see how the dancers who caught their attention during auditions do when the training gets intense.

It’s the beginning of the academy rounds, as the talented young dancers who made it through the audition cities move on to Pasadena for some intense training.

The kids will get some experienced help.

Nigel Lythgoe: “They’re gonna be put together with the all-stars, and the all-stars are not only going to be mentors for them, they’re gonna be partners for them as well.”

Paula Abdul: “We want to surprise the kids as well. I mean, they are excited. A lot of them, their idols are former contestants, so we’re gonna surprise them.”

Cat Deely: “The big thing is, we need them to be having a great time. We need them to really be enjoying themselves. So what we are going to do is put each kid with an all-star. So they can help them in terms of their dancing, but they can also guide them through the experience.”

And the judges shared how impressed they are with the kids’ mental and physical toughness.

Paula Abdul: “It’s astonishing to see how well they’re being trained and disciplined in their dance styles. It’s incredible. We’re seeing amazing talent.”

Jason Derulo: “And how well they take, um, take the notes. I mean, I remember last year, you know, we were giving notes and, like, people were just like talking back and like saying crazy things. I mean, today’s — I mean, if it continues anything like today, I mean, it was incredible. Like, they took the notes and they thanked us after the notes. I was like, ‘Wow!'”

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