What it takes to become a Rockette
The Rockettes are the precision dance line that performs at Radio City Music Hall in New York City and on tour. To join them, you need professional-level dance training (typically 10+ years), the ability to kick at least to shoulder height, a height between 5'6" and 5'10.5", and the stamina to perform the same choreography eight times a week. There is no single path—dancers come from ballet, jazz, tap, and contemporary backgrounds—but all must pass a live audition where you perform combinations taught on the spot.
The Rockettes do not hire through an online process or video submission. You audition in person, usually once or twice a year, in front of the dance captain and creative team. The job is a contract position, typically running from September through January for the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, with additional touring and summer season work available. Pay varies by contract and experience, but this is a union job (IATSE) with benefits, not a volunteer or unpaid apprenticeship.
Key Takeaways
- You must have at least 10 years of serious dance training and be able to perform high kicks, turns, and synchronized movement at a professional level.
- Height requirements are strict: between 5'6" and 5'10.5" for the main line, with some flexibility for specialty roles.
- Auditions are held in person, usually once or twice yearly, and you will learn and perform choreography on the spot with no advance notice.
- The Rockettes are a union ensemble, so the job includes a contract, pay, and benefits—not an unpaid training program.
- You do not need to live in New York before auditioning, but you must be available to relocate for rehearsals and performances.
Dance training and skill requirements
Before you audition, you need to have trained seriously in dance for many years. Most Rockettes have 10 to 15 years of training by the time they are hired, often starting as children. The training usually includes ballet as a foundation, plus jazz, tap, and contemporary styles. You do not need to be a professional dancer with a touring resume, but you do need to move at a level where you can pick up choreography quickly and execute it cleanly under pressure.
The specific physical demands are high. You must be able to kick to shoulder height or higher, perform multiple turns in a row without losing balance, maintain perfect synchronization with 15 to 20 other dancers, and do this repeatedly without visible fatigue. The Rockettes perform the same show eight times a week during the Christmas season, so your body must handle that volume. If you have trained in only one style (say, ballet alone), you will be at a disadvantage because the audition includes jazz and tap combinations as well.
Flexibility, core strength, and ankle stability matter as much as height or turnout. Many dancers train with a coach or teacher in the months before an audition to sharpen their technique and build the specific endurance the Rockettes require. If you are serious about auditioning, consider working with a teacher who has experience with professional auditions or who knows the Rockettes' style.
Height and physical requirements
The Rockettes have a strict height range: 5'6" to 5'10.5" for dancers in the main line. This is not a guideline or a preference—it is a requirement because the visual line must be uniform on stage. If you are outside this range, you will not be hired for the main ensemble, though the Rockettes do hire for specialty roles (such as featured dancers or characters in the Christmas Spectacular) that may have different requirements. You should know your exact height before you audition.
Beyond height, the Rockettes look for dancers with a clean, athletic build and good posture. You do not need to be extremely thin, but you do need to move with control and precision. The costume and lighting on stage at Radio City are unforgiving, so the Rockettes hire dancers who look strong and polished in motion, not just in a still photograph.
How auditions work
Auditions for the Rockettes are held in person, usually in the spring or early summer for the fall season. The exact dates and locations are announced on the Radio City Music Hall website and the Rockettes' official social media accounts. Auditions typically take place in New York City, but the Rockettes sometimes hold open calls in other cities as well. You do not submit a video or resume in advance—you show up, sign in, and dance.
The audition itself lasts a few hours and includes several rounds. In the first round, you learn a short combination (usually 30 to 60 seconds of choreography) and perform it in a group of 20 to 30 dancers. The dance captain watches and marks down dancers to call back. If you are called back, you will learn additional combinations and may be asked to dance solo or in smaller groups. The choreography is taught once or twice, and you are expected to pick it up and perform it cleanly on the spot. There is no time to practice or ask for a repeat.
Wear dance clothes that let you move freely—a leotard, tights, and jazz shoes or sneakers are standard. Bring your hair in a bun or pulled back so your face and neck are visible. Do not wear heavy makeup or jewelry. The Rockettes want to see your movement, not your costume. Bring water and be ready to dance for several hours.
What happens after you are hired
If you are offered a contract, you will be told the terms: the season (usually September through January for the Christmas Spectacular), the rehearsal schedule, and your pay. Rehearsals typically begin in August and run for several weeks before opening night. You will learn the full show, including all the precision kicks, formations, and quick changes. The choreography is exact—every kick must land at the same moment as the dancer next to you, every turn must be the same speed, every line must be straight.
Once the show opens, you perform eight times a week: two shows on matinee days, one show on other days. The schedule is demanding, and injuries are common. The Rockettes have a physical therapist and medical staff on site, and the union contract includes provisions for injury and recovery. If you are injured and cannot perform, you are expected to report it when ready so a replacement can be called in.
The job is seasonal, so you will have time off between seasons. Some Rockettes perform only during the Christmas season; others take on additional work during the summer or on tour. The Rockettes tour nationally and internationally, so if you are hired, you may be asked to travel.
Preparing for your audition
Start training now if you have not already. If you have fewer than 10 years of dance experience, focus on building a strong foundation in ballet and jazz. Take classes at least three times a week, and consider adding a fourth or fifth class if you can. Work on your kicks, turns, and ability to learn choreography quickly.
In the months before auditions, watch videos of the Rockettes performing. You can find clips on YouTube and on the Radio City Music Hall website. Pay attention to the style—the Rockettes are known for sharp, synchronized movement, high kicks, and a polished, athletic quality. This is not contemporary dance or experimental movement; it is precision and control.
If you live outside New York, plan to travel to the audition. You do not need to move to New York before auditioning, but you do need to be available to attend in person. If you are hired, you will need to relocate for rehearsals and the season.
Alternative paths and related work
If you do not make the Rockettes but want to work in professional dance, there are other options. Broadway shows, touring productions, theme parks, and cruise ships all hire professional dancers. Some dancers work as backup dancers for concerts or music videos. Others teach dance or work in dance studios while auditioning for professional roles. The skills you build training for the Rockettes—precision, stamina, the ability to learn choreography fast—are valuable in all of these fields.
Some dancers audition for the Rockettes multiple times before being hired. If you do not make it the first time, ask for feedback if possible, keep training, and audition again the next year. The Rockettes remember dancers who show up consistently and improve.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be a professional dancer before I audition?
You do not need a professional resume or touring experience, but you do need 10+ years of serious training and the ability to move at a professional level. Most Rockettes trained as children and have been dancing continuously since then. If you started dancing as an adult, you will need several years of intensive training before you are ready for an audition.
What if I am shorter or taller than 5'6" to 5'10.5"?
You will not be hired for the main line. However, the Rockettes do hire for specialty roles and featured parts that may have different height requirements. You can still audition and ask about alternative positions, but the main ensemble has a strict height range for visual uniformity on stage.
Can I audition if I do not live in New York?
Yes, you can travel to audition. Auditions are held in person, usually in New York City, but the Rockettes sometimes hold open calls in other cities. If you are hired, you will need to relocate for rehearsals and the season, which typically runs from August through January.
How much do Rockettes earn?
Pay varies by contract and experience. The Rockettes are a union job, so you receive a may provide minimum wage, benefits, and protections under the union contract. Exact pay rates change year to year and depend on the specific contract you sign. You can contact the union (IATSE) or ask at an audition for current pay information.
What if I get injured during the season?
Report the injury to the medical staff when ready. The union contract includes provisions for injury, and the Rockettes have a physical therapist on site. Depending on the severity, you may be able to continue performing with modifications, or you may need to sit out while you recover. A replacement dancer will be called in if you cannot perform.