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How long do Rockettes practice per day?

Author

Mia Kelly

Published Jan 12, 2026

Rehearsing six hours a day, six days a week for nearly six weeks before opening night (four weeks in our rehearsal space and then two weeks at Radio City Music Hall for tech rehearsals!), it takes a lot of hard work, determination and focus to prepare for the busy season ahead.

How many hours do the Rockettes practice?

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 much do Rockettes train?

The dancers rehearse six (or more) hours a day, six days a week to train for the show's demands.

How many shows do the Rockettes do in a day?

The Rockettes kick up to 650 times in one day. They do more than 160 kicks per show and perform in up to four shows a day during busy periods. The Rockettes can kick up to 650 times in one day. The girls do more than 160 kicks per show and perform in up to four shows a day.

What do Rockettes do the rest of the year?

They don't take the rest of the year off.

Many of the Rockettes are professional dancers and/or actors, so they stay busy throughout the year. Plus, they do charity work, such as visiting children's hospitals, supporting the troops and putting on benefit shows.

38 related questions found

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.

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 hard is it to become 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.

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 Rockette 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 can I be a Rockette?

Mandatory requirements:

  1. You have to be proficient in jazz, tap and ballet. ...
  2. You must be between 5-foot-6 and 5-foot-10 1/2 inches tall. ...
  3. You must be at least 18 years of age. ...
  4. Two-day auditions are held each spring at Radio City. ...
  5. You'll perform Rockette combo routines in groups. ...
  6. Cuts are made after each routine.

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.

How many black Rockettes are there?

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.

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 is the age range of Rockettes?

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 are the physical requirements for a Rockette?

Physical Requirements

Rockettes must be between 5 feet, 6 inches and 5 feet, 10 1/2 inches tall. Measurements will be taken in stocking feet. Since the Rockettes make up one of the world's most well-known precision dance lines, all performers must be proficient in jazz and tap.

How tall 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!

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 high are the Rockettes heels?

That's right—heels. Granted, the shoes the Rockettes wear are custom dance shoes, but at the end of the day, they are dancing on at least a 2 1/2-inch heel for three months straight. If you think I didn't walk into my interview with tons of anti-foot pain questions and tips prepped, you're wrong.

Are the Rockettes married?

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

How much money does a Rockette make a 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.

What benefits do Rockettes get?

Although each of the Rockettes receives a benefits package, these performers are not provided with housing or reimbursed for any travel-related expenses. Typically, each Rockette receives a paycheck of between $1,400 and $1,500 each week.

Do the Rockettes only perform during 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.