Audition registration for the Radio City Rockettes, ensemble and more is officially open for the 2023 Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes presented by QVC. Audition to be a part of New York City’s favorite holiday tradition and register today.
Dancers auditioning for the Radio City Rockettes will also be considered for Rockettes Conservatory, the dance company’s invite-only, week-long training intensive, which serves as the main talent pipeline for the line.
REGISTRATION & SCHEDULING INFORMATION
OPEN CALL AUDITION DATES
Female Identifying Dancers*, Voice Ensemble and Principal Roles will be cast through invited agent calls only – there will be no open call audition for these roles.
*Includes gender expansive identities (trans, non-binary, gender non-conforming and gender queer.)
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A ROCKETTE?
The Radio City Rockettes are a world-renowned dance company known for their athleticism and iconic precision style combining elements of ballet, jazz, and tap, as well as techniques of modern and contemporary dance. In addition to the Christmas Spectacular, the Rockettes perform annually in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and the Christmas in Rockefeller Center tree lighting, and have appeared on some of the biggest events in entertainment, including the Tony Awards, the MTV VMAs, the NYC Pride Parade, and “Saturday Night Live.” Most recently, the Rockettes were featured in the Hallmark movie “A Holiday Spectacular” and performed with Mariah Carey in her holiday special filmed at Madison Square Garden, “Mariah Carey: Merry Christmas to All!”
As a Rockette, dancers have access to excellent benefits, including year-round health insurance, a competitive 401K, and a tuition assistance program for accredited and approved courses, as well as a reimbursement plan for many voice, dance, technique, wellness, and fitness classes.
If you receive an offer for a role in the show, you will be offered an American Guild of Variety Artists (AGVA) contract with competitive salary and benefits including 401(k) plan and year-round health insurance.
All performers must be 18 years of age by September 15, 2023 to be considered for casting. If you are under 18 years of age at the time of the audition, you will need a parent or guardian to accompany you to Radio City Music Hall at your scheduled time. If a parent or guardian cannot accompany you, please contact [email protected] to request a downloadable release form, have it signed by your parent or guardian, notarized by a notary public, and bring it with you to the audition.
You must be legally authorized to work in the US and accept employment if it is offered by the Company. If you are hired, you must provide evidence of such authorization in accordance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. All offers of employment are pending successful completion of a background check.
Terms of employment range from mid-September/early October to early January depending on which role you are cast in.
No travel or housing is provided for the performers of the show.
ROLE REQUIREMENTS
Rockettes
Dancers auditioning to join the kickline as a Radio City Rockette must have a strong technical foundation of ballet, tap and jazz with an emphasis on precision. Rockette auditionees should be between 5’5” and 5’10 ½”
Male Identifying Dancers*
Male identifying dancers must be proficient in jazz and ballet, and will be required to sing.
Female Identifying Dancers*
Female identifying dancers must be proficient in jazz and ballet, and will be required to sing. These roles will be cast through an invited/agent call only – there will not be an open call audition.
Ensemble Vocalists
Ensemble vocalist roles will be cast through an invited/agent call only – there will be no open call audition.
PRINCIPAL ROLES
Principal roles include the dual role of Clara/Ellie, Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus and others. Requirements for the roles vary and can be found in published breakdowns. Principal roles will be cast through an invited/agent call only – there will be no open call audition.
*Includes gender expansive identities (trans, non-binary, gender non-conforming and gender queer.)
WHAT TO EXPECT
The Rockettes organization is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all dancers in the audition room and beyond.
ARRIVAL TO RADIO CITY:
- You will receive your timeslot approximately 72 hours before the open call date.
- Please arrive no earlier than one hour before your scheduled time slot and no later than 30 minutes before. This will allow you ample time to sign in and warm-up in one of our designated warm-up areas before your audition time.
- Once you enter Radio City Music Hall, you will be required to stay on site for the duration of your audition, which can be anywhere from one to three hours.
WHAT TO WEAR & BRING:
- Auditioners should bring water, snacks, and other necessities.
- You are welcome to wear anything in which you are comfortable dancing.
- Character shoes are preferred for dancers auditioning for the Rockettes.
- No bare feet or socks are permitted in the audition room.
- All hairstyles, textures, and hair types are welcome.
IN THE AUDITION ROOM:
- For Rockettes auditions: There will be a group warm-up led by current Radio City Rockettes. Dancers will then perform the routine taught during the warm-up for members of the Rockettes Productions Team.
- For Male Identifying Dancers auditions: There will be a group warm-up. Dancers will then perform the routine taught during the warm-up for members of the Rockettes Productions Team.
- For both Rockettes and Male Identifying Dancers, only auditionees are allowed into the audition room, but if you are under the age of 18 at the time of the audition, your parent or guardian must accompany you to Radio City Music Hall.
AFTER YOU DANCE:
- After you have had the opportunity to dance for our Productions Team, cuts will be made to determine who is invited for callbacks.
- If invited to return to Radio City for a callback, you will receive instructions on when to arrive the next day.
Unless specifically agreed, we do not accept video submissions. You must audition in person.
Frequently Asked Questions
Audition time slots will be emailed to you 72 hours prior to the open call date.
Auditionees are welcome to arrive up to one (1) hour prior to their scheduled time slot; please do not arrive before then as we are limiting the number of people in our holding areas. Also, please do not arrive later than thirty (30) minutes prior to your time slot.
Unless specifically agreed, we do not accept video submissions. You must audition in person.
Due to the substantial number of performers attending auditions, requests for specific timeslots cannot be guaranteed.
Once you have entered Radio City, all exits are final so please be prepared to stay anywhere from one (1) to three (3) hours from your call time.
Yes, you do need a scheduled time slot. All AGVA members will be scheduled in the first slot of the audition day.
Yes, there are warm-up areas set up at Radio City.
There is no need to bring a physical headshot or resume. We will have your digital submission on file.
All performers must be 18 years of age at the beginning of Rockettes Conservatory and rehearsals for the Christmas Spectacular. If you are under 18 years of age at the time of the audition, you will need a parent or guardian to accompany you to your scheduled time.
Callbacks will be held on Friday, April 21st & Saturday, April 22nd for Rockettes and Thursday, April 27th for Male Dancers. You will be alerted after your audition if you are invited to return for a callback.