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New York Post
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Inside Rockette auditions as Radio City's kickline celebrates 100 years
Early Tuesday morning, while most of New York City was rushing to work, more than 1,000 eager dancers — from 45 states and 34 countries — hogged the sidewalk of 50th Street as they lined up outside Radio City Music Hall to audition for a coveted spot on the famous kickline's 100th year. Addison Brill, 18, was one of the many ambitious hopefuls who traveled thousands of miles from Michigan to show off her kicks and bevels — the iconic Rockette pose — to the pros. 'I've been counting down the years until I was able to audition, so it's really incredible to be here, especially that it's the 100th year,' Brill told The Post. 10 Addison Brill and her family drove from Michigan for the open-call auditions. Tamara Beckwith For others like Carol Gois, 20, from Brazil, it was her second attempt. 'I think last year it wasn't as big of a reality for me,' she said. 'It was more of an idea.' 10 The dancers learning the audition choreography. Tamara Beckwith 10 Carol Gois felt a little more prepared this time around compared to her first attempt last year. Tamara Beckwith After getting the Rockette bug, Gois returned this year to re-audition feeling a little stronger and slightly less nervous, knowing what to expect this time around. 'I've been told by so many people that they could see me as a Rockette,' she added. 'So it [last year] was just a tryout to see if that's something that I wanted to pursue.' The Post attended Day 1 of the Rockettes open-call auditions, where hundreds of red-lipped, leotard-wearing dancers swarmed the lobby, doing crunches and some downward dog poses before being divided into groups to learn the audition choreography. 10 The dancers performed their choreography in both large and small groups in front of the pros. Tamara Beckwith All learned a short dance combination, and then groups of women excitedly shuffled from the basement of Radio City to the small rehearsal room to finally the large hall to show off their skill set to Rockettes' judges, assistants and captains. While everyone was hoping to stand out, director and choreographer Julie Branam is actually looking for standouts who can blend in. In fact, she's looking for dancers who know how to perform exactly like the person next to them — after all, synchronization and precision are what have made the Radio City gals so iconic for the past century. 'They [the auditionees] might think they look better doing it a certain way. But being a Rockette, you have to do it the way we asked. So that's part of the gig, and I usually put telling pieces of choreography in the first cut,' Branam explained. 10 The dancers tried not to let their nerves get the best of them while warming up in Radio City's lobby. Tamara Beckwith While of course dancers need to have a 'strong, solid ballet technical base,' Branam and her team are looking for a studious performer who pays attention. 'I'm looking for somebody who has some style and listens to correction,' Branam admitted. 'I like a smart dancer who is focused on what we're saying at the front of the room.' 10 Branam and her team of pros watched each group of dancers meticulously. Tamara Beckwith 10 Branam giving a pep talk to the hopeful dancers before they broke up into groups to perform. Tamara Beckwith Although there are 42 Rockettes for each of the two Christmas Spectacular casts, the number of open kickline spots varies every season. Whether dancers were sent home or made it past the final round of auditions on Thursday — most will luckily get a chance to partake in the invite-only conservatory and preparatory summer programs. But the reality is, most end up getting cut. Approximately 4%-7% of dancers make it through all three days. Both Brill and Gois got the boot in the first round — but despite their disappointment, they kept their composure and were in good spirits as they exited Radio City. 10 Over 1,000 dancers showed up to audition for a coveted spot on the legendary kickline. Tamara Beckwith 10 The lucky dancers who made it through the first round of cuts on Day 1. Tamara Beckwith 'This was a newer dance style, I learned it 72 hours ago, so I was hoping I could figure it out and put my best foot forward,' Brill, 18, said. 'Over the next year, I will really hone in on the technique and style to re-audition.' Making it past the first round, surprisingly, didn't put many of the dancers at ease because they knew they still had to prove to the pros they're worthy of joining the leggy dance troupe. First-timer Nina Nuñez, 21, was in shock when she heard her number called to continue the audition process. She made it to the second day, but was then cut on Day 2. 10 Nina Nuñez was shocked but excited that she made it past the first round of cuts. Tamara Beckwith 'I'm nervous. This is all completely new for me. I have no idea what just happened — I blacked out, but overall I'm feeling good,' she said. 'This is all completely new for me, but I'm grateful and appreciative to be here.'
New York Post
21-04-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
For the Radio City Rockettes' 100th anniversary, auditions stakes are higher than ever
If you see a swarm of statuesque women high-kicking in front of Radio City this week, no, it's not Christmas just yet. The holiday season may be months away, but springtime is when Rockette history is made. Each April, hundreds of hopeful leotard-clad dancers travel from all over to the Big Apple to audition for a coveted spot on the famous kickline — founded in 1925, halfway across the country in St. Louis, Missouri. For 11 years, it's been director and choreographer Julie Branam's difficult task to find the next generation of Rockettes for this now-100-year-old legacy. 23 The Rockettes began in 1925, but were called the 'Missouri Rockets' in St. Louis by choreographer Russell Markert. Courtesy of The Rockettes 23 Every spring, the Big Apple buzzes with leotard-clad dancers lining up outside the Midtown theater for Rockette auditions, which are set for Tuesday, April 22, this year, followed by callbacks on Wednesday and Thursday. REUTERS All dancers who meet the 18-year-old age requirement are welcome at the legendary organization's open-call audition, because Branam wants to give everyone an equal opportunity to showcase their talent. 'I'm always looking to do things better and to make sure that I'm giving every dancer the best chance they have to get that job,' Branam told The Post. While it's an extremely nerve-wracking experience, Branam and the dance captains find small ways to humanize the process — like calling every dancer by name instead of a number. 23 Julie Branam, director and choreographer for the Rockettes, told The Post she gives dancer wannabes the 'best chance they have' to join the group. MSG 23 Branam joined the Rockettes in 1988. She is shown performing (center) in an undated photo. MSG It's a long, high-pressure day for the hopefuls, but considering the legendary troupe has been held to an exceptionally high standard for the past century — only the best of the best make it. Try, try again The stakes have always been high at these auditions — even back in 1971 for veteran Cynthia Hughes Miller. At 17, Miller didn't get the job the first time around but was invited to audition again. 'I got a letter saying the positions were filled, and when I graduated from high school, to get in contact with them,' she told The Post. 'So I auditioned again — I did the kicks, some tap, ballet, jazz and [finally] got the job.' 23 At first, veteran performer Cynthia Hughes Miller didn't get the job when she auditioned in 1971 but eventually succeeded in fulfilling her dream. MSG 23 Miller, pictured recently onstage at Radio City Music Hall, said she keeps the word 'Rockette' in her email address to tell fun stories when people ask. MSG The Rockettes' assistant choreographer and dance captain Danelle Morgan, now celebrating 20 years of eye-high kicks, also experienced rejection at first. 'My first audition, I didn't get hired. My second audition — the same thing. It wasn't until I auditioned for the third time that I got hired,' she recalled to The Post. 'But every time I went back, I stayed a little longer and I learned a little bit more about this style that was not familiar to me.' Expectedly, audition cuts will always be made because the team of pros is only looking to fill a specific number of spots on the kickline — which varies every year. 23 Danelle Morgan (pictured in foreground) is the assistant choreographer and dance captain. MSG 23 Morgan is celebrating her 20th year as a Rockette. MSG 'Some people are starting their families, some people have gotten jobs on Broadway or are touring. Some people are going back to school,' Branam explained. 'You just never know what will be. And some people have just said, 'This is my last year, and I'm going to retire from this,' So there are all different reasons why the line opens up.' Some dancers who don't move past the first day of auditions are luckily asked to join invite-only conservatory and preparatory programs, designed to help dancers learn, understand and perfect the group's unique dance style to ultimately re-audition. A 100-year journey: 'It takes a lot of grit' 23 Russell Markert and the Missouri Rockets, seen here in 1925. Courtesy of The Rockettes 23 The Rockettes, seen here in 1937. The troupe moved to the Big Apple in 1932. Courtesy of MSG Entertainment And the specific technique the Rockettes are known for remains true to its 1920s roots — it's just slightly updated now to keep up with the times. 'With this big 100 number, I think back to how far the company has come. How the choreography and even the [Christmas Spectacular] show has grown, evolved and changed,' said Morgan. 'We [now] have a presence on social media, the versatility that we have to have now as dancers versus back when I even started has changed.' 23 The Rockettes' famous Wooden Soldier dance, seen here in 1960. Courtesy of MSG Entertainment 'The evolution that I've witnessed firsthand and continue to see is that there is now a lot more diversity and inclusion in the cast,' Jacey Lambros-Carrino, a former Rockette of 10 years, told The Post. Known for their leggy statures, a height prerequisite remains — but Branam said it's changed throughout the years because ultimately she is looking for 'great dancers to join the cast.' However, being a great dancer will only get someone so far because the life of a Rockette is not for the weary. These women are athletes in their own right — training six hours a day, six days a week, for six weeks leading up to the November opening night of the Christmas Spectacular. 'It takes a lot of grit to be a Rockette and to be in the Christmas show in general. It is a 90-minute show. And you could do two, three, four shows a day with only one day off a week,' Branam told The Post. 'The consistency is a huge factor. And for some people, that's really hard.' Lambros-Carrino agreed. 'There aren't a lot of 18-year-olds who can endure the magnitude [of the job] both in terms of physicality and emotional demand,' she said. 23 Dancers travel from all over to pursue their dream of becoming a Radio City Rockette. NY Post 23 'It takes a lot of grit to be a Rockette,' said Branam (center), who first tried out — unsuccessfully — at age 17. MSG 'But it's also really beautiful to watch somebody come in at 18 and watch the evolution of that person.' That includes errors — Rockettes are humans who make mistakes after all, although their kicks make it look otherwise. 'We try to avoid [mistakes] and really rehearse so well that it's muscle memory,' Branam added. 23 The Rockettes, shown in 1939, performed in the first Christmas Spectacular just six years earlier, in 1933. Courtesy of MSG Entertainment 23 Dancers warm up and stretch in the lobby of Radio City Music Hall during auditions in 2024. AP 23 The Christmas Spectacular has been seen by more than 72 million people over the years. Carl Scheffel/MSG Photos They put the 'kick' in kickline Rockettes must always bring their A-game because every kickline dancer is constantly being evaluated. Regardless of one's tenure, each dancer has to reaudition every season. 'Show business is a really hard business, and I want everybody to do their best. Everyone has to stay in shape, keep working hard, keep listening and keep a good frame of mind,' Branam said. 23 Director Julie Branam, seen next to team captain Danelle Morgan (center), keeps an eye on tryouts at the 2024 auditions. Jeenah Moon for NY Post 23 The Rockettes train six hours a day, six days a week, for six weeks leading up to the November opening night of the Christmas Spectacular. Courtesy of MSG Entertainment A strong work ethic is what every dancer must have — especially when spectators travel from all over to witness their eye-high kicks in the Christmas Spectacular. Since premiering at Radio City in 1933, more than 72 million people have seen the seasonal show. The famous kickline started with only 16 dancers 100 years ago, and today, even with two New York casts, 42 Rockettes in each — these women form a close-knit bond. 23 The very first Christmas Spectacular show was performed on Dec. 21, 1933. The 2025 show season will kick off on Thursday, Nov. 6. Courtesy of MSG Entertainment 'You become intimately close with the women because you're with them every second of your day,' Lambros-Carrino said. 'I spent my birthday, Thanksgiving, Christmas, sometimes New Year, with these people.' Morgan agreed. 'It's one of those things that literally nobody gets unless you've done this experience.' Despite the high-pressure demands of the job, when asked what it means to be a part of the Rockette legacy, all four women couldn't help but smile ear-to-ear. 23 Dance captain Morgan (center) said it took her three auditions to be selected. MSG 23 'Being a Rockette becomes synonymous with who you are,' Morgan said. MSG 'Being a Rockette becomes synonymous with who you are. It's something that you wear with a sense of pride,' said Morgan. Working as a former Rockette and now leading the next generation of dancers, Branam feels blessed to call this work. 'I can't believe I spent 38 years of my life here. I mean, how lucky am I?' And while Miller may no longer be on the front line, it's an experience she will never forget. 23 Dancers were ready to learn new steps as they auditioned for the Rockettes in 2024. Jeenah Moon for NY Post 23 The Rockettes are shown during a performance in 1960. Courtesy of MSG Entertainment 'My email has the word 'Rockette' in it, and when I get on the phone to argue about a bill or something, and I need to give my email, they ask if I was a Rockette and their whole attitude changes,' she laughed. 'Nothing lasts for 100 years — but I think it's going to keep on going. They're beautiful, talented. They're athletes. They're everything.'
Axios
07-03-2025
- Business
- Axios
Meet the Maker: Isaiah "Izzy" Branam
Meet Isaiah "Izzy" Branam, a Zionsville native who wants to fight substance abuse with virtual reality. The inspo: Branam, an IU junior studying organizational and business psychology, is a tech entrepreneur who founded his first company at 17. Called Fia, or Find Ideal Applicants, the startup was a talent acquisition platform that leveraged machine learning to streamline the hiring process. The Fia Technologies team won a 2021 Elevate Ventures pitch competition, receiving $20,000 in funding and $1.5 million valuation. It made Branam one of the youngest venture-backed CEOs in the nation. What he's making now: Branam's latest venture is Relate XR, which he co-founded with IU assistant professor Brandon Oberlin and digital arts graduate Andrew Nelson. The company combines psychology with virtual reality technology to treat substance abuse disorders. For example, it creates "digital doubles" that allow patients to interact with their life choices and visualize their impact. The latest: The team has raised nearly $5 million in funding from the National Institutes of Health, and Branam said Relate XR should be ready for launch following ongoing clinical trials. "It looks like it's gonna be about two to three years for FDA clearance so we can get it in the hands of those who really need it," Branam said. "One in six Americans meet the diagnosis criteria for substance use disorder." Zoom in: Branam is an alum of the STARTedUP Foundation's Innovate WithIN pitch competition and was among the students who helped launch Indiana's Youth Innovation & Entrepreneurship Caucus in January. Check him out: On LinkedIn and the Relate XR website.
