Stuff You Should Know Selects: Rockettes: Still Kicking After All These Years
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Nov 22, 2025 Discover the fascinating story of the Rockettes, starting from their roots in St. Louis to their fame at Radio City. Hear about the precision dance influences that shaped their iconic style. Uncover the evolution of height requirements and the optical illusions used in staging that create their signature look. Learn about their role in USO tours, the struggles they faced in the 1970s, and the waves they made in pop culture. Dive into the grueling demands of their holiday performances and the strides toward diversity in modern shows.
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Missouri Origins And Precision Dance
- The Rockettes originated in St. Louis in 1925 as the Rockets before moving to New York City.
- Their style copied John Tiller's precision-dance method to create a unified, high-kicking corps.
Precision Dance Creates A Single Performer
- Precision dance makes many performers read as a single unit, enabling complex synchronized moves.
- Russell Markert adopted and amplified Tiller's methods to emphasize higher kicks and longer legs.
Height Standards Create An Optical Illusion
- Height rules shifted from relatively short (5'2"–5'6.5") to taller (5'6"–5'10.5") to enhance optical uniformity.
- The tallest dancer anchors the middle so the line appears the same height across the stage.