What is the average salary of a Rockette?

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 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.

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.

How long can you be a Rockette?

Technically, there's no maximum age limit, but Rockettes typically aim to hit the goal of at least 10 years on the stage before hanging up their tap shoes. Retired Rockettes often remain with the company, working backstage as dressers or teaching dance classes during the Radio City Summer Intensive workshop.

How old is the oldest Rockette still performing?

Jane Finnegan Pearson, of Scottsdale, performed for four years with a St. Louis-based dance troupe that later moved to New York and became the famed Radio City Rockettes. At 90, She is thought to be the oldest Rockette.

How tall must a Rockette be?

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. 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.

Why are there no black Rockettes?

The Rockettes did not allow dark-skinned dancers into the dance line until 1987. The justification for this policy was that such women would supposedly distract from the consistent look of the dance group.

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 are the physical requirements to be 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 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.

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 many black Rockettes have there been?

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.

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.

Has there ever been male Rockettes?

Sophomore Rami Shihabi dances at a pep rally as the only male on the Rockette drill team. He is the first boy to perform with the Rockettes.

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.

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.”)

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.

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.

How many Rockette dancers are there?

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.

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.

Who was the 1st black Rockette?

Jennifer Jones (born August 1, 1967) is an American dancer and actress. In 1987, she became the first African American Radio City Music Hall Rockette.

How many Rockettes of color are there?

Among the 80 dancers who make up the Rockettes corps, 10 percent are women of color, a spokeswoman for the company told me; you are only seeing half the cast during any given show because there are so many performances to fill — on weekends, up to six a day.

Who was the first Hispanic Rockette?

Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. Home for Children to the great stage at Radio City Music Hall - where she danced her way into history as the first Latina Rockette. Today, Lillian Colón inspires others to find the joy in dancing and was recently featured in Forbes' 50 over 50 2021 as a woman of excellence.

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!

How many Rockettes shows are there per day?

We do more than 160 kicks per show and perform in up to four shows a day during busy periods!