What are the requirements for being a Rockette?

The requirements for being a Rockette are to be 5'6″-5'10.5″ tall and proficient in ballet, jazz and tap. If a dancer does not meet those height requirements, it is out her control.

Do the Rockettes have a weight requirement?

For starters, unlike ballerinas, Rockettes are expected to meet only one size requirement, and it has nothing to do with weight.

How much does a Rockette make per year?

Typically, each Rockette receives a paycheck of between $1,400 and $1,500 each week. Because these famous dancers only perform seasonally, this only amounts to between $36,400 to $39,000 per year. The Rockettes do receive their benefits year-round, though.

Is there a height requirement for Rockettes?

The girls do more than 160 kicks per show and perform in up to four shows a day. The Rockettes need to be a certain height – between 5'6” and 5'10 ½“. It may look like all the dancers are the same height, but they're not.

How long do your legs have to be to be a Rockette?

Rockettes must be between 5 feet, 6 inches and 5 feet, 10 1/2 inches tall. Measurements will be taken in stocking feet.

How old is the average Rockette?

Many of the Rockettes are young mothers, Snow said. During the rest of the year, the Rockettes -- who range in age from 18 to 41, work in a variety of professions -- perhaps as teachers, yoga instructors or dancers on Broadway.

What do Rockettes eat?

Throughout the day I eat protein and carbs, and treats are important," says Cichra. Her favorites: chocolate covered strawberries and pizza. Sometimes, if their Instagram photos are to be believed, the Rockettes even splurge on cupcakes. Even with their voracious appetites, the dancers still lose weight.

How old is the oldest Rockette?

At 90, She is thought to be the oldest Rockette. Ninety-year-old Jane Finnegan Pearson carefully unfolds a tattered, yellowed newspaper clipping dated 1937.

How tall is the tallest Rockette?

Rockettes have to be between 5′ 6″ and 5′ 10 1/2″ tall (not counting those ultra-high heels). In kick lines, they stand with the tallest women in the middle, moving down to the shortest on the ends, which creates the illusion that they're doing everything in unison.

Do the Rockettes have to sing?

Rockettes tend to get asked back year after year, which makes it one of the steadiest gigs in the business -- and one of the few gigs for jazz and tap-dancers who don't also sing.

What does a Radio City Rockette make?

Typically, each Rockette receives a paycheck of between $1,400 and $1,500 each week. Because these famous dancers only perform seasonally, this only amounts to between $36,400 to $39,000 per year. The Rockettes do receive their benefits year-round, though.

Do Rockettes only perform Christmas?

The group also performs at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting. As a result, their annual performances leave many wondering what the dancers do during the rest of the year.

How many Rockettes are black?

Now, one of six black and bi-racial women in the 2019 Christmas Spectacular — three in each cast — Pierce hopes audiences embrace women of color as part of a cohesive whole, “It's important to see a group of strong, inspiring, confident women working together, no matter what color,” she said.

Can a Rockette have short hair?

There are also quite a few short-haired ladies, who do a side part and slick the rest back. Their biggest challenge is keeping their hair sleek and neat during the show, when they are alternating between wearing huge headpieces, to having bare heads.

Is there a dress code for the Rockettes?

over a year ago. You can wear just about anything there. No dress code.

How many Rockettes are there total?

There are a total of 80 Rockettes—40 Rockettes in each cast, and only 36 of us perform onstage at a time. Each cast has four “swings” who can fill in the spots for nine of the women on the line. 5. We Rockettes need to be a certain height.

Why do the Rockettes not touch?

Prepare to be astonished: “We actually don't touch each other,” says LaVergne. The dancers just lightly brush the women beside them with outstretched arms. They call it “feeling the fabric.” That ensures they're in line without pushing or leaning.

What is a Rockette swing?

The Rockettes themselves are 80 women total, split into two casts of Blue and Gold. 36 women perform on stage at a time, the remaining four in full hair and makeup, ready to go on in an emergency. (These four women are called “swings.”)

What color lipstick do the Rockettes wear?

Lipstick: This is the one makeup item that's mandated to the girls: All the Rockettes wear MAC lipstick in either MAC Red or Russian Red. Both are blue-based tones that pop under the bright lights.

Are the Rockettes married?

A lot of Rockettes are still married to those guys!” In the '60s, Cary Grant was a regular.

What is the shortest Rockette?

And although I was the smallest of the bunch (the shortest Rockette is 5 ft. 6 in.), I felt like I finally fit in — even if it was just for a few hours. Watch the video above to see how I did, and go see The Rockettes in the New York Spectacular, which runs from June 15th until August 7th!

How long do Rockettes practice per day?

From September to November, the Rockettes rehearse seven hours per day, six days per week to prepare for their signature show, the Radio City Christmas Spectacular. During the holidays, Rockettes perform five to six shows daily and their pay works out to about $135 per 90-minute show as of 2005.

How do you get Rockette legs?

4 Ways to Get Legs Like the Rockettes

1. Glutes and Hamstrings: Marching Hip Raise with Feet on a Swiss Ball. A simple dance exercise to get a toned dancer-derriere. ...
2. Inner Thighs: Standing Plié Squats. ...
3. Hamstrings and Calves: Standing Leg Curl. ...
4. Calves and Ankles: Ballet Calf Raises.

Are there fat Rockettes?

Because there's no such thing as a fat Rockette. “As much as we say it's just another gig, it's much more than that,” she said. “There's something mysterious about being a Rockette.” The troupe of time-tested tinsel has been a New York icon since 1933, producing up to five shows a day, seven days a week.

How do you do eye high kicks?

Begin by kicking the left leg in front of you and reaching for the toe with the right arm, slightly twisting in the torso. Repeat by kicking the right leg up and reaching with the left arm. Continue moving across the floor with a swinging motion.