We learned that the building was designed in the art deco style in the early 1930s. It’s biggest room was a huge auditorium, and they included red seats because the people who built the theater thought that would make it successful. It was beautiful! We looked around at the deep reds and golds, and it did look very luxurious.

Then, suddenly, a voice called out from the back of the room.

“Vanessa!”

A tall woman wearing a black leotard and leggings and high heels with her hair in a tight ponytail came running up to Vanessa. The two of them hugged, and that’s when I saw what was written on the woman’s tank top:

THE RADIO CITY ROCKETTES

“Vanessa knows a Rockette?” Megan whispered.

“Yes, she does.” The Rockette had overheard her and smiled. “My name is Jen. Vanessa and I went to dance camp together. She knows it was always my dream to become a Rockette!”

“I’m so proud she accomplished her dream,” Vanessa said. “Jen, I’d like to introduce you to the elite dance team of DanceStarz Academy of Florida.”

We were all really excited to meet her and then even more excited once she said she was going to lead our experience.

“So let me tell you a little bit about the Rockettes!” Jen said. “The dance company has been around for almost a century. More than one million people see us dance every year. There are main dancers and swings who can fill in the spots if needed.”

“The very first choreographer founded the American chorus line,” she continued. “We are most known for that dance line, where we do our eye-high kicks.”

“And your glittery costumes that you wear!” Riley piped in. “One of my dreams is to be a costume designer—maybe I could be one for the Rockettes!”

“Riley is our resident fashion-designer-to-be,” Vanessa said, which surprised us all and made Riley glow to be called out in front of one of her heroes.

Jen nodded. “I have no doubt you would be great at designing! Many of our costumes are glamorous. But we do have one that’s a little different. For those who aren’t as familiar with the show, we have a big routine where we have wooden soldier costumes, with big hats and giant pants.” We all smiled.

“That’s the dance with the soldiers falling on each other like dominoes,” I whisper to Lily.

“If any of you like to do hair and makeup, I’ll point out that we have to do our own hair—usually I do a French twist—and our own makeup before every show! We do have a wardrobe assistant to help us with our costume changes,” Jen continued.

“The choreography includes several kinds of dance, so we have to be proficient in tap, jazz and ballet. It’s a challenge to have every count perfect.

“One of the challenges some dancers face is that you have to be part of a line, so you don’t have the opportunity to be a soloist,” Jen said.