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EPISODE: 009

“Some of the costumes could weigh as much as a small child,” recalls Mary Ellen Hopkins about her days as a dancer with the Radio City Rockettes.  Hopkins, who is now a journalist for CNN,  performed with the famous chorus line known for their high kicks and precision steps in the late 1960s to 1970s. Costumes were a big part of their performance and Hopkins says the “girls” were always excited and anxious to see what they’d be wearing next.

“Some (costumes) were stunning and some were so heavy and cumbersome…but you still had to dance like you were light as a feather”

Hopkins grew up in a small town in Florida and auditioned for the Rockettes while still in high school at the suggestion of her dance teacher.

“The Rockettes were a big thing in New York City,” she says, “but I wasn’t aware of them.”

That all changed when she joined the group performing in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

“…once I got there and got to be part of the Macy’s parade – it was awesome,” she says.

While in New York City Hopkins also danced on Broadway in the musical Irene starring Debbie Reynolds and later returned to the Rockettes.

“I’m proud to say – I was a Radio City Rockette”.

In the latest DoUKnowWhoiAm podcast Hopkins shares her experience as a Rockette – and some funny behind-the-scene stories. One vivid memory she has is performing precision high kicks with the group as it started to snow during the Thanksgiving Day Parade.

“The first time we got a look at each other our makeup was streaking and eyelashes were falling off.”

Hopkins returned to college after sustaining an ankle injury and is now a journalist at CNN.

Music by David Mumford under Attribution License

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