SDD in NYC: The Rockette Experience
This year, we were invited to attend the Opening Weekend of the Radio City Christmas Spectacular followed by a precision dance workshop with the Radio City Rockettes. We capped off the weekend with workshop classes from Broadway Stars and friends of SDD, Mariah Reives and Thayne Jasperson. The experience was open to any dancer ages 7+ that is a part of our SDD Community. Read below for details of the trip!
Day 1: November 18th, 2023
THE RADIO CITY CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR
While many of us arrived to NYC prior to showtime, we gathered at the iconic Radio City Music Hall for a 5pm show of the Radio City Christmas Spectacular.
This show has been performed at this very location since 1933. Two of the show’s numbers “Parade of the Wooden Soldiers” and "the Living Nativity” have been performed since the shows’ inception.
Our seats were truly “spectacular!” as we were in Sections 2 and 6 of the Orchestra.
It was a wintry dream to watch the show with 94 friends of our SDD community. From the iconic reindeer number to the toy soldiers to the merriment and magic of the season, we had a great time enjoying the show.
The production elements that ranged from confetti to pyrotechnics to drones to live animals added extra flair that kept everyone on the edge of their seats.
After the show, we made our way to the “Corporate Tour” for our workshop in the rehearsal halls of the legendary Radio City Music Hall.
You could feel the history in the halls!
THE RADIO CITY ROCKETTE WORKSHOP
After the show, our dancers headed “behind the scenes” to the Radio City Rehearsal Hall.
There, they had a 1-hour workshop with two Rockettes.
They learned the classic Toy Soldier Choreography and practiced the detail and precision of a Radio City Kickline (fun facts: (a) the dancers do not touch each other in the kickline and (b) kicks are at “eye level” to make them appear even for each dancer).
Our dancers blew us away with their professionalism and ability to quickly pick up the choreography.
Day 2: November 19th, 2023
WORKSHOP CLASSES AT OPEN JAR STUDIOS
We were up early on Sunday to enjoy a morning full of Workshop Classes with some of our guest teaching favorites, Mariah Reives and Thayne Jasperson.
Mariah has been guest teaching for SDD since 2015! Her credits include the Cats National Tour, Funny Girl on Broadway, and most recently, The Great Gatsby at Paper Mill Playhouse.
Thayne has been guest teaching for SDD since 2013! His credits include Matilda, Newsies, and Hamilton on Broadway (all original casts).
Both Mariah and Thayne have an infectious energy that lights up the room! It was so fun to watch our dancers adapt to their teaching and choreography styles. The day was joy-filled and concluded a quick, but super fun, trip to NYC.
We hope you’ll consider joining us for a future adventure!
