Talking With The Rockettes 


Photo: Janet Macoska

The Rockettes are the world’s most famous precision dance team. They always move as “one dancer.” Costumes, make-up and hair are completely identical. The dancers even give the illusion of being the same height by having the tallest dancers in the center of the line, and gradually decreasing the height with the shortest women at either end. They are known for their precision eye-high kick line. 

BUZZ EXTRA spoke with Radio City Rockettes Kara Jones of Cincinnati, Ohio and Jessica Pack of Spartanburg, South Carolina when they were in Cleveland for the kick off of the 2008-09 PlayhouseSquare season. 

Jessica Pack is in the RADIO CITY CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR show in New York City while Kara Jones tours to 18 cities with the show. Ms. Pack has been a Rockette for seven seasons and Ms. Jones is in her second season. 

EXTRA: How do you get to be a Rockette? 

ROCKETTES: You have to be between five feet, six inches and five feet, ten and a half inches tall, proficient in ballet, tap, and jazz dance and at least 18 years old, but there are no other restrictions.

I grew up watching the Rockettes in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

I auditioned at Radio City Music Hall. I got there in the morning and saw a big line of tall, long-legged women wrapped around the corner. I was number 500 and something. I learned some choreography and the famous “high-kick” routines, made it through the first round of cuts, came back for the second round the next day, then got a phone call over the summer and found out I’m going to be a Rockette. I was SOOO excited. A dream come true. 

Dancing is a competitive business. Everyone has to re-audition every year. It keeps the best women on the line every year, so you are seeing the most talented people.

EXTRA: How many Rockettes are there in a show? 

ROCKETTES: 18. 

EXTRA: How many shows do you do in a day?

ROCKETTES: We can do up to four shows a day. 

EXTRA: Four shows a day? How many eye-high kicks is that? 

ROCKETTES: The daily kick count is 1200. 

EXTRA: How do you stay fit? 

ROCKETTES: Each dancer is different, but it’s important to stretch out, get the cardiovascular system up and running, pilates… 

EXTRA: What is the daily life of a Rockette like? 

ROCKETTES: During the rehearsals we dance six hours a day, six days a week. That keeps us in pretty good shape. It’s nice to be able to eat pretty much what you want, though. We need the proteins and carbs!

During the show, we get up, go to the theater to get hair and makeup, do the warm-ups and there’s an athletic trainer if you need something wrapped or taped. Then on with the show. We do one to four shows a day. Sometimes we have 30 minutes between shows or a couple of hours. Sometimes we don’t get out until 11:30 PM, depending on the schedule. 

EXTRA: What is your favorite thing about being a Rockette? 

ROCKETTES: As people are leaving the theater, they are happy, inspired and they haven’t had to think about their problems for two hours. It’s all Christmas and joy. That is very rewarding. A dream come true. 

EXTRA: What about next year? 

ROCKETTES: We’re both going to audition again next year.

EXTRA: Well, we’re so glad you could be in Cleveland for the holidays. 

ROCKETTES: It’s great to be back in Cleveland.

For more information on the ROCKETTES check out these books:

THE RADIO CITY ROCKETTES: A Dance Through Time
by James Porto

AND SHE DANCED FOR THE KING: Memoirs Of A Rockette
by Trent Vaselaar

RADIO CITY CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR:
A Photographic History Of The Rockettes and Christmas Spectacular
by Radio City Entertainment