The Missouri Rockets started a magnificent history in 1925 in St. Louis, which is where the renowned Radio City Rockettes actually got their start. They gave a performance at Radio City Music Hall in 1932, and in 1933 they were designated as the venue’s official high kickers. Their chorus line has become an annual holiday tradition today.
Many young girls wish to be Rockettes when they grow up, and hundreds of adult dancers wait in line to audition every year.
Height
The Rockettes are a vision of precision and uniformity. Dancers and legs that appear uniform to an audience are necessary for the famed high kick line. In fact, there is a small height difference.
The height requirement for Rockettes is 5’6″ to 5’10.5″. No exceptions. Each person who attends an audition is measured in bare feet, ballet tights, or stocking feet. If you don’t measure up, you turn around and head back home.
The tallest dancers are placed in the center of the line, gradually tapering to the shortest dancers at the ends, to provide the appearance of one flawless line during performance.
Legal requirements
Each Rockette must be a citizen of the United States or possess a valid work visa that enables them to work there. It would be a good idea to bring documentation of either of these, as well as a headshot and CV, to the audition. To be eligible, you must be 18 by August of the audition year.
Since the Christmas Spectacular auditions take place in the spring, typically in April and May, if you are 17 at the time of the audition, your parent or guardian must sign a release at the audition or, if they won’t be present, you must submit a signed release form that has been notarized by a notary public.
Training
Rockettes must be skillful at jazz and tap. The performance standard required to pass the test is not even close to being described by the phrase “proficient.” The dance numbers have difficult, intricate choreography that is meticulous in its execution. The audience cheers and gasps during the routines since they are really difficult. Although talent is a helpful requirement, discipline and years of top-notch technique instruction are crucial. Although ballet and modern dance are slightly less important, a dancer who is eligible for the Rockettes will have a strong foundation in all disciplines.
An additional useful performance ability is the capacity to sing and dance simultaneously. To participate with the Rockettes, you must be a well-rounded, exuberantly personable performer.
Attitude
The Rockettes are ambassadors and role models. They are a “type” that appears in all media and across the globe. Their projected personality is one of smiling, upbeat, enthused, excited to be the Rockettes, and overall nice and wholesome. The routines are repeated until they are flawless. Public appearances are painstakingly practiced. The characters’ attire, appearance, grooming, health, and stamina must be faultless. Being a Rockette is more than simply another dance job; it’s membership in a legendary chorus line that has been entertaining holiday audiences for more than 75 years.
So, these were the requirements to become a radio city Rockette. To take dance lessons from Lillian Colón, the First Latina Radio City Music Hall Rockette, visit https://www.lilliancolon.com/ now!
