For years, Soultana Schiavi watched the iconic Radio City Rockettes perform at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, hoping to one day join their ranks. “It was always something that was on my mind,” Schiavi tells Her Campus.
So, she worked toward it. She earned a degree in dance (with minors in English and entrepreneurship) from the University of Michigan, and then moved to New York City in fall of 2018 to follow her dream. In January of the next year, Schiavi auditioned for the a summer intensive program with the Rockettes, a process that gave her an up-close look at the style, precision, and intensity shown by the dancers she’s admired for years. “I fell in love with it immediately,” she says.
And then, not only did she land a spot in the intensive, but in August of 2019, she was invited join the Rockettes — and the rest is history.
Now in her seventh season as a Rockette, Schiavi is currently in the thick of the group’s busiest time of year: the holiday season. From early November to early January, the Rocketettes star in the Christmas Spectacular, a dazzling stage show featuring jaw-dropping precision dancing, flashy costumes, and tons of holiday cheer. (Plus, there are all the promotional events they’re doing in the little downtime they have, like appearing on talk shows and filming social media content.)
Suffice it to say, i’s an intense time of year for Schiavi. For the Spectacular alone, the dancers are committed to performing two to four shows *a day.* And what’s happening onstage is only part of what her day-to-day looks like. There’s her pre-show routine, which includes warming up by doing a little elliptical work and using the ballet bar in the dressing room. She also does her show makeup and hair herself, as all Rockettes do, putting on that iconic red lipstick and nailing the signature French twist.
Then there’s a bit of time for recovery. “Between shows, we are usually rolling out our muscles, trying to take care of our bodies,” Schiavi says. “We have an amazing athletic training program here with ice baths and care if we need it.”
At the end of the day, Schiavi focuses on self-care — not just to wind down, but to prepare herself to do everything all over again. “After the show, I’m always in the ice bath; that’s something that I find is a consistent, useful tool for me,” she says. “After that, I make sure I’m fueling my body with any nutrients that I need. A lot of healthy, bigger meals so I’m fueled for the next day and I’m supplementing what I just did on stage.” When she gets home, she tries to put her phone away, watch TV, and sleep with a weighted blanket. “I know that sounds silly, but it does really help relax my body.”
But being a Rockette isn’t just a three-month gig. In preparation for the Christmas Spectacular, the Rockettes typically begin rehearsals at the end of September, six weeks before shows start, practicing six hours a day, six days a week to get all their routines perfect. Plus, staying a Rockette isn’t ever guaranteed — the dancers have to re-audition to remain on the team each season.
Because of all this, Schiavi says it’s crucial to train and stay sharp during the off-season. “I personally take a lot of dance classes in New York, and I also like to cross-train. I find that weightlifting or Pilates is super helpful, and anything that can make my body strong enough to do our show and rehearsal process.”
Rockettes also tend to stay pretty busy with other off-season gigs when they’re not performing with their team. A performer through and through, Schiavi dedicates a lot of her off-season to acting, modeling, and yes — more dancing. You might’ve caught her on Saturday Night Live or The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.
Those looking to see Shiavi in action can grab tickets to the Christmas Spectacular before show ends for the season on Jan. 5, 2026.