GILBERT, Ariz. — Mia Larkin’s dogs were probably startled when she dropped to the floor in August and started crying.
She had just received a call from New York that many dancers could only dream of.
“I could not speak,” Larkin said. “I had no words for how I felt in that moment.”
The Gilbert teen and 2023 Casteel High School graduate was among 17 dancers this year chosen to join the world-renowned Radio City Rockettes — the longest-running precision dance group in America known for their kick line and annual Christmas Spectacular show, which has brought holiday joy to more than 71 million people since 1933 when it first premiered in New York.
Larkin had big shoes to fill and only three months to learn the highly synchronized show.
Talk about a lot of pressure.
“I think we learned the show in about two weeks and then we add in other elements like the lighting, the shoes and the costume,” Larkin said.
The 19-year-old’s journey from Gilbert to the Big Apple has been exhausting — both physically and mentally. First, there was a three-day initial audition, which Larkin advanced from. A week later, she was invited to the Rockettes Conservatory, a week-long intensive training program at Radio City Music Hall.
Dancers are drilled in the Rockette’s precision choreography, which flips between ballet, tap and jazz. Only those with talent, strength and stamina become a Rockette.
Oh, and there was a final audition after that.
“I knew that there were a lot of girls and a lot of people wanting this job and I just got lucky to get it this year,” Larkin said.
One could argue it took a lot more than being “lucky.” Larkin has been dancing and kicking since she can remember. She said her training in Arizona made her the dancer she is today.
“Since I was 8 years old, I knew that I wanted to be a Radio City Rockette in New York,” Larkin said. “My dance teacher was a former Rockette so I kind of got inspired by her to want to do this for my big dream and my big goal.”
Now, she is living that dream while dancing and kicking harder than ever. Rockettes rehearse six hours a day, six days a week for the annual show that is around for only two months out of the year.
“Knowing that I get to spread this Christmas joy and Christmas cheer all throughout the holiday season, it really helps me get through those rehearsals,” Larkin said.
The Christmas Spectacular returns to the Great Stage at Radio City Music Hall on November 8.
Larkin’s mom will be in the audience at her first show.
“It is going to be a super special moment seeing here in the audience and showing her what I have been working on,” Larkin said.