- Title: USA-ROCKETTES REHEARSAL The Rockettes kick up their heels for new Holiday season
- Date: 15th October 2015
- Summary: WIDE VIEW OF THE ROCKETTES REHEARSAL
- Embargoed: 30th October 2015 12:00
- Keywords:
- Topics: General
- Reuters ID: LVA6WG1MARODMJ9FQNDYHDOTF826
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: The iconic Rockettes, the all-women precision dance company known for their synchronized kicks, is preparing itself to kick off Holiday season in New York.
On Thursday (October 15), all 80 dancers were present at the rehearsal of the number "New York at Christmas" which is part of the Radio City Christmas Spectacular.
The annual show has been a New York holiday tradition since its debut in 1933, and while some routines remained almost unchanged some are updated every year to keep up with the times.
"We change things all the time. There is new technology, we change the way the stage - different technologies of the stage, so that makes things different. We changed choreography, we added new scenes," explained Julie Branam, a former Rockette and the director and choreographer of the show to Reuters.
"We are doing 'Rag Dolls' which is a classic from the 40's, but it's been updated for this century, so it's really fun to constantly change. But then we still have the classics like 'the Parade of the Wooden Soldiers' which I think everyone loves to see every year," she added.
The classic dance number originally debuted in 1940, and is a high energy tap routine telling the story of Santa's enchanted workshop in the North Pole featuring the Rockettes as rag dolls.
There is also a new finale number called "Snow," which features GPS-enabled snowflakes.
Branam added that she is also proud of a new turn table technology that will be used in a number featuring multiplying Santas, "explaining how he can be in so many places at once".
Tenise Mitchell Ellis, a Rockette performing for the fourth time at the Christmas Spectacular this year said that there is something special about being part of such an iconic group of dancers.
"It's a new experience every year. You literally feel the spirit of Christmas and joy that is just surrounding you every year you are here," she said.
"I have a daughter of my own actually and I can now start my own family tradition here. I can bring her in. And so many families from near and far come to Radio City Christmas Spectacular and now I can do the same for myself," she added.
To become a Rockette, a dancer has to be at least 5 foot 6 inches (168 cm) tall and must be proficient in jazz, tap and classical ballet.
For the show, they practice six hours a day, six days a week, which most Rockettes enjoy doing.
"We do over 300 kicks in a show, which is a lot of kicks. And it's not hard per se because we love it so much. It does take a lot of hard work and dedication and there is so much precision to what we do so that is something that is challenging, but we accept that challenge with open arms," said six-time Rockette Tiffany Griffin.
Besides the Christmas Spectacular, The Rockettes also perform during the annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and the Rockefeller Center tree lighting ceremony.
The Radio City Christmas Spectacular will run from November 13, 2015 until January 3, 2016. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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