Talk to dancers and they'll tell you that s dancer, a movie, or a Broadway show inspired them to dance. Maybe it was The Red Shoes or Gelsey Kirkland, An American in Paris or A Chorus Line. But there's also a dance organization, internationally famous, that has infiltrated the dreams of countless aspiring young dancers -- the Rockettes. They had to be included in any column alerting dancers 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, they became the Rockettes. Today there are more than 175 women dancing as Rockettes, 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 Chirstmas Spectacular. It is the number-one show in America and continues to break box-office records. Indeed, it has broken its own box-office record for the last seventten 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 like it will end any time soon. In fact, this year Christmas productions are being planned for Detroit, Chicago, Myrtle Beach, Branson, Los Angeles, New York City, and Mexico City. PLus, there is a permanent show in Las Vegas, and another troupe of Rockette tours the country performing at sporting events and concerts and on film and television. More and more young women will get to fulfill their 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.
Dance Magazine: 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.
D.M.: What is the size of this cast?
L.H.: The largest show will be in Mexico City and the cast will have fifty-five performers.
D.M.: Okay, let's fet right to the point. What do you look for in aspiring Rockettes?
L.H.: 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 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.
D.M.: What common mistakes do many dancers make at an audition?
L.H.: First, they wear too much clothes -- 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 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 tell the union 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 a Rockette, 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 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. I've had dancers perform for me and then ask me what they should work on to become professionals. Knowing what the people who do the hiring want, I have to tell them that the best thing they can do for their careers is to lose weight. It's not what many people want to hear, but unfortunately it's the truth.
For more information on Radio City and the Rockettes, visit 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.