When I first moved to New York, I had fantasies of picnics in Central Park, ice skating at Rockefeller Center, strolling across the Brooklyn Bridge, and essentially, living my best Carrie Bradshaw-esque life. While I didn’t get to experience any of those specific events during my first semester here, I did end up working at one of the most iconic venues in New York City, Radio City Music Hall.
I was made aware of the job by a recruitment table at my school hiring for part-time positions for the Madison Square Garden company. At the time, I had no idea that Radio City Music Hall and Madison Square Garden fell under the same company, I simply needed a job and picked up a flyer. I went online and applied that night for a part-time cashier position. Two weeks later, I was scheduled for an interview. I entered through the side entrance, went through security, and sat down in the waiting area ready to be called in. The interviews were running late and there were about 30 other people in the waiting area, but I tried not the let that (and the fact that I was currently in THE Radio City Music Hall) shake me.
I interviewed for about 15 minutes and was then told to wait a little longer in the waiting area. Before long, a group of us were called back and handed hiring papers. I almost couldn’t believe that I was being hired at Radio City Music Hall, even though the proof was right in my hands! Despite my excitement and eagerness to start, I waited about two more weeks before I had orientation. There, we went over policies, set up our online profiles for the schedule and pay periods, and were given our photo IDs to check in and out of the building. It wasn’t until I was holding my Radio City ID and standing in the tailor shop getting my uniform hemmed that it truly hit me that I would be working at Radio City Music Hall. I left orientation overwhelmed with information, as well as excited to begin my first shift.
A week later, my name appeared on the schedule for my first shift. I arrived about 45 minutes early to ensure I had plenty of time to secure a locker and put on my uniform. From then on, it was a whirlwind of work and activity. While I had received very little formal training, my coworkers were helpful in telling me where to go and what to do. I was taught how to organize and set up the food stands, work the register, and how to pour drinks. It was stressful at times to make sure that I was following all the proper policies and getting customers’ orders correct, but the high energy was exciting and helped the time pass by quickly. After a few shifts, I had the routine down and could even navigate my way around and backstage Radio City without any help.
It’s funny how quickly Radio City Music Hall lost it’s awe and became where I just happened to work. I would often leave my shift late at night exhausted and see people taking pictures of the outside of the building, completely awestruck. It was strange to think that just over a month ago I would have been one of them, with absolutely no idea that I would be entering the building almost daily. Despite the tough aspects of the job, there were certain parts that were undeniably cool. I passed backstage often on my way to and from my shifts and would sometimes run into Rockettes trying to make costume changes, or the camels that appeared in the show! I would catch glimpses of the orchestra and workers ushering costumes backstage. It was often hectic, but also amazing to witness.
Although I was hired as a temporary worker during the Christmas Spectacular Season, I made many friends and learned many valuable skills about working in customer service, as well as tourism during my time at Radio City. I learned so much about the history of the building and the Rockettes. Working so close to Times Square and Rockefeller Center during the holiday season was crowded and crazy but also beautiful. Now when I pass Radio City Music Hall, it’s more than just another New York City landmark and tourist destination.