More than 1,100 dancers gather for Radio City Rockettes auditions in New York

(22 Apr 2026) RESTRICTION SUMMARY: ASSOCIATED PRESS New York - 22 April, 2026 1. Pan of auditioning dancers entering Radio City Music Hall 2. Close of a dancer 3. Dancer entering; UPSOUND (English) dancer: "Good, excited, ready to go" 4. Various of dancers warming up 5. SOUNDBITE (English): Danelle Morgan, Rockettes Dance Captain: “We are so excited today as the Rockette’s Open Call for the 2026 season Christmas spectacular and its one of those days that brings us back to when we auditioned to become the Rockettes and the excitement, the vivaciousness that is Radio City Music Hall, we get to see over 1,100 dancers, registered, so we get to see a lot of talent today.” 6. Dancers in auditioning room 7. Mid of Julie Branam, Resident Director and Choreographer, Radio City Rockettes 8. Close of Branam; UPSOUND (English): “There should be a lot of joy in the move that you’re doing, while you’re showing your technique.” 9. Various of dancers auditioning 10. SOUNDBITE (English) Julie Branam, Resident Director and Choreographer, Radio City Rockettes: “I am looking for great dancers, and that means a strong ballet technique, they also do tap and jazz, and a smart dancer, meaning somebody that really listens to what's being said at the front of the room, they use their eyes, their ears, and the mirrors to match what's going on, so that's what makes a good Rockette.” 11. Wide of audition 12. SOUNDBITE (English) Julie Branam, Resident Director and Choreographer, Radio City Rockettes: “I think the magic of the Rockettes is their pure joy of dance, their precision, and the fact that they make everything look so easy. It's incredible to me that they - I think watching from the audience, you think it's probably pretty easy, but it is really - they are athletes dripping in diamonds.” 13. Dancer auditioning 14. Results being announced 15. Dancers leaving 16. SOUNDBITE (English) Aminah Renae de Jesus, dancer: “I still feel surreal a bit. I feel like I tried to go in today with no expectations. Like I just wanted to know that I did the work and not put too much pressure on myself. Like last year was this. I was just like, just dance and smile. And I did just that.” 17. Dancers auditioning 18. SOUNDBITE (English) Brett Rule, dancer: “I’ve been auditioning - this is my fourth year auditioning and every year I've gotten one step closer to making it to the very end, the final round, so just chasing those goals. I've seen the show since I was like eight years old when I first came to New York and it's always been the biggest goal of mine.” 19. Wide of dancers auditioning STORYLINE: More than 1,100 dancers showed off their high kicks and pirouettes as they auditioned for a spot with the iconic Radio City Rockettes. The group says applicants came from 43 states and 20 countries including France, Japan, Germany and Mexico, for the chance to perform in the Christmas show in December, as well as a dancer training program in summer. The audition on Wednesday consists of one routine that dancers need to learn and then perform moments later in front of the judges. Those who pass the first round will continue their auditions over the next two days. For the highly competitive role, many dancers audition over several years before they are considered. The Radio City Rockettes last year celebrated their 100th anniversary. Julie Branam, Resident Choreographer and Director for the Christmas Spectacular, said she’s looking not only for great dancers, but “someone who can mirror and match what’s going on,” with other dancers. (AP video: Emily Wang Fujiyama) Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...