Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About the Rockettes

The Rockettes. The name alone conjures images of glamorous dancers with long legs, kicking eye-high in unison. But did you know these NYC icons have been around for more than 80 years? And before they became the Rockettes, they were the Missouri Rockets, and then Rothafel’s Roxyettes.

How do I know all these details about their history? Rockettes.com!

 

The Radio City Rockettes have launched a new website that tells you any and everything you could ever want to know about the lithe ladies. For those who aspire to join the legendary team, Rockettes.com has information about upcoming auditions, videos about what it takes to become a Rockette and a behind the scenes look at the Rockettes summer intensive, a week-long program held in NYC.

 

Dancers must audition to participate in the summer intensive (keep your eyes peeled for audition notices next winter!). During the week, participants take dance classes, get to talk with Rockettes and attend seminars, including an audition workshop where they learn how to put together a standout resumé and headshot. And participants perform in a final showcase, usually on the Radio City Music Hall stage! But most importantly, the summer intensive is a great way to learn the skills necessary to become a Rockette: to date, 41 summer alums have been cast as Rockettes! (In the “Becoming a Rockette” video, don’t miss the touching moment at last year’s summer intensive showcase when—in front of the entire audience—Katie Mitchell learns she has been offered a position in the cast. Awww!)

 

But perhaps the coolest part of the site are the many, many photos of Rockettes past and present. Check out the 1940s Rockettes stretching in a rehearsal hall at Radio City, the cast’s 1956 astronaut-inspired costumes for a number called “Destination Moon” (thirteen years before the Apollo 11 landing), and more recent photos of the lovely ladies preparing backstage.

 

Jamie Cygielman, Senior Vice President of the Radio City Rockettes, says there will be much more to come on Rockettes.com, including more video profiles of the dancers, the group’s dance captains, and assistant choreographers (there’s already a great video online about director and choreographer, Linda Haberman). So keep checking in.

 

And don’t miss the Rockettes upcoming open call auditions in NYC on April 29 and L.A. May 3. Break a leg!

 

Photo of Rockettes auditions by Avi Gerver/MSG photos