Verified answer

Want to be a Rockette?

Talk to dancers and they'll tell you that a certain dancer or movie or Broadway show inspired them to dance. Maybe it was or Gelsey Kirkland, "The Red Shoes," "An American in Paris" or "A Chorus Line." But there's also a dance organization, internationally famous, that has colored the dreams of countless aspiring young dancers -- the Rockettes. This legendary troupe has to be included in any column alerting dancers to great jobs.

The Rockettes have been around since 1925 when they started out as the Missouri Rockets. A New York City producer named Samuel "Roxy" Rothafel bought the production for his Roxy Theater and changed the name to the Roxyettes. When Radio City Music Hall opened in Rockefeller Center on December 27, 1932, they became the Rockettes. Today there are more than 175 women dancing as Rockettes, not only in the newly-refurbished Radio City Music Hall in New York City but all over the country and in Mexico -- and the projection is that there will soon be more.

As a Rockette, you will work for Radio City Productions, a major company producing not just the Rockettes but sports spectaculars, movie debuts, and television specials. It promotes many other shows, including "Barney," "Lord of the Dance," "Riverdance" and "Disney on Ice." But far and away its most successful show is the "Radio City Christmas Spectacular." This is the number one show in America and it continues to break box office records. Indeed, it has broken its own box office record for the last seventeen years in a row. In an eight-week holiday run, the "Radio City Christmas Spectacular" brings in more people than some Broadway shows do all year. This record-setting show doesn't look as though it will end any time soon. In fact, this year Christmas productions are being planned for Branson, Chicago, Detroit, Los Angeles, Mexico City, Myrtle Beach and New York City. Plus, there is a permanent show in Las Vegas and another troupe of Rockettes tours the country performing at sporting events and concerts, and on film and television. More and more young women will get to fulfill the dream of becoming a Rockette.

I spoke with Linda Haberman, the director/choreographer of the "Radio City Christmas Spectacular." She is in the middle of a national talent search, seeking dancers and singers for the seven "Christmas Spectacular " productions opening later this year.

Don Mirault: Linda, are you looking for other talent as well as a Rockette line?

Linda Haberman: Yes. Each show has a line of Rockettes, but I'm also hiring other male and female dancers, male and female singers, and male and female children who dance.

Don: What is the size of this cast?

Linda: The largest show will be in Mexico City and the cast will have fifty-five performers.

Don: Okay, let's get right to the point. What do you look for in aspiring Rockettes?

Linda: I look for dancers between five feet five-and-a-half inches and five feet ten inches tall. They must be proficient in jazz and tap. They must pick up the choreography quickly and really pay attention to detail. This is not a show for the dancer who wants to star. Also, because the Rockettes are such a tight troupe of dancers, arm placement is especially important to the choreography.

Don: What common mistakes do many dancers make at an audition?

Linda: First, they wear too much clothing--no layers of clothing. I need to see your body and line. I want to see you in heels, no ballet slippers and definitely no sneakers. And pay attention! I know you're nervous, but you must listen. Even if you do it right, I may give you a correction to see if you listen and can make the change. You should be as prepared as you can but don't come in with any preconceived ideas about what a Rockette should be like. Listen closely, pay attention to detail and assimilate the choreography as quickly as you can.

Haberman told me that the "Christmas Spectacular" is about ninety minutes long and that the Rockettes usually perform seven or eight different routines. As for salary, Radio City Productions and the Rockettes have a special contract with the American Guild of Variety Artists (AGVA). You can call the Guild at (212) 675-1003 to find out the salary minimums. Linda also made a point of encouraging ethnic dancers to audition. Some ethnic dancers may feel that they cannot be Rockettes, but I am happy to report that this is not the case.

One thing I should discuss -- maybe because no one else will -- is weight. No one wants to say it publicly because it's not politically correct, but weight is still a big issue with the Rockettes and many other dance jobs. Producers tell me all the time that it's difficult to hire dancers who are overweight. If you have a weight problem, work on it now, but please work on it sensibly.

For more information on Radio City and the Rockettes, visit http://www.radiocity.com./ The Web site has a list of scheduled events and a lot more. You can also call the Radio City Audition Hotline, (212) 632-3630

DFF

Rockettes Salary