22-04-2025
Radio City Rockettes hold auditions in NYC for their 100th anniversary season
The world famous
Radio City Rockettes
are holding auditions in New York City Tuesday.
More than 1,000 dancers from across the United States and beyond have descended on the Big Apple,
chasing the same dream
as the Rockettes celebrate their 100th anniversary season.
It's a lifelong dream for the dancers. By 7 a.m., aspiring Rockettes lined up along 50th Street. Over the years, they've come from every state and dozens of countries for the shot at one of the few coveted spots in the legendary kickline.
The dancers went inside, warmed up, and shook out their nerves. Then they had to learn and master choreography in just minutes before the big moment - the audition. Years of training comes down to just one shot, and this year's an extra special year. In addition to auditioning for the big show - the 2025
Christmas Spectacular
- dancers are being considered for the Rockettes' dancer development programs, including a newly-launched Rockettes Preparatory, designed to find and train the next generation of talent.
Only a rare few of the hopefuls earn a direct spot straight to the show.
"I'm from Lousiiana," dancer Ryleigh Geis said. "Today we're auditioning for the Rockettes and it's the 100 season, so it's actually super exciting. I feel really special just to be a part of it."
"It was a lot of fun. Really intense, stressful at times. I felt we were all in it together we were able to push ourselves to the next level," said dancer Michelle Osanya, from Iowa.
Some dreams were dashed Tuesday, but a few dozen got the news they'd been hoping for. They've been called back and will return for a second round Wednesday.
Last year, more than 800 dancers auditioned, and the 2024 Christmas Spectacular featured 17 new dancers.
The Rockettes were founded in St. Louis in 1925 as the "Missouri Rockets." They perform for more than a million people each holiday season at Radio City Music Hall.
