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| HOLIDAY STAPLE--The 80 Rockettes rehearse six hours per day, six days a week. After that, for two weeks, they prepare on-stage in costume and with the orchestra. During the holiday season, from November through the beginning of January, the group performs up to six shows a week. |
GUEST BLOG—By Victoria Kupchinetsky
and Ramon Taylor, Voice of America News--When the holiday season arrives in
the United States, the most synchronized high-kick dancers in New York take the
stage at Radio City Music Hall.
“The Rockettes” — an all-ladies troupe — have
been entertaining New Yorkers and tourists from around the world since they
were founded in 1925. All the dancers have backgrounds in ballet, jazz and tap.
And they’re required to be tall, between 5 feet, 6 inches to 5 feet, 10.5
inches.
One Rockette,
Jackie Aitken, has been dancing she was 4 years old. She remembers coming to
New York as a teenager for the “Rockettes Experience” — a day that included a backstage tour and
mini-class with one of the Rockettes.
“I remember
thinking, 'Wow!' – looking up to these girls, just thinking how amazing they
are,” Aitken said.
Every
winter, American families take their children to the city to see the group
perform. Many of the adults remember the experience as children themselves. But
even before the first performance of the season, the group must endure six
weeks of grueling rehearsals.
The
Rockettes rehearse six hours per day, six days a week. After that, for two
weeks, they prepare on-stage in costume and with the orchestra. During the
holiday season, from November through the beginning of January, the group
performs up to six shows.
The
Rockettes rehearse six hours per day, six days a week. After that, for two
weeks, they prepare on-stage in costume and with the orchestra. During the
holiday season, from November through the beginning of January, the group
performs up to six shows.
“It's a lot
of work for the Rockettes,” said Julie Branam, choreographer of the Radio City
Christmas Spectacular. “There are eight production numbers. We have a lot to
do, and we have two casts working at the same time. So we have 80 Rockettes in
the room that are all learning the choreography.”
1,500
high-leg kicks
The
Rockettes rehearse six hours per day, six days a week. After that, for two
weeks, they prepare onstage in costume and with the orchestra. During the
holiday season, from November through the beginning of January, the group
performs up to six shows per day.
That's 1,500
high-leg kicks per person, per day.
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| Rockette Kristin Jantzie |
“When I
auditioned for the Rockettes, it became clear right away that this was going to
be a very challenging job,” said Kristin Jantzie, a veteran Rockette of 10
years. “It looks very easy on stage, but there is so much practice and
precision that goes into the job.”
Courtney
Rottenberger, a fellow performer, has been a Rockette for four years.
“I'd love to
be a Rockette for as many years as I can be,” Rottenberger said. “And after my
Rockette career is over, I’d love to be a mother. I have a degree in
psychology, so I'd like to revisit that.”
Rottenberger’s
parents brought her to Radio City Music Hall to see the Rockettes when she was
3 years old. If she has a daughter of her own, she might want to do the same
for her, just in case she wants to become a Rockette, too.
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| Rockettes' iconic high kick performed in front of Macy's during the 1970s. |
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| Rockettes in one of last year's holiday numbers. |
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