It takes a lot of training to kick that high

By John Benson

A little over 300 kicks is what professional dancer and Medina native Katie Russell averages during one performance as a Radio City Rockette in the Radio City Christmas Spectacular.

“It’s a lot more difficult because we make it look so easy,” said Russell, 27, a 1999 Medina High School graduate, calling from Myrtle Beach, S.C. “The audience does not realize how difficult it is. We do it all with a smile on our face because we’re having fun.

“All of the women in the line, including myself, we have trained our entire lives. I started dancing when I was 5 and not just going to dance one night a week. We went every single night, and we still train in the off-season. We go to dance class every day. We’re active, and we really have to work hard to make everything so precise.”

Trained in ballet, tap and jazz as a young girl, Russell graduated from the University of Cincinnati before moving to New York City to pursue her dream. While her r sum includes television commercials (AMC and HBO), dancing performances (Disney and the Backstreet Boys) and various stage productions (“A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum,” “Carousel,” “Mame,” “42nd Street” and “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat”) throughout the country, it’s her current role as a Rockette that she can honestly say was a goal from day one.

“When I started dance, I told my mom that’s what I wanted to do when I grew up,” said Russell, who gives credit to her parents, Laurie and Brian, for their support driving her around Northeast Ohio for lessons over the years. “I’m sure she was like, ‘OK, sure.’ But every Thanksgiving I’d watch the Macy’s parade and see the Rockettes perform. And then when I was 17, I went to New York City, saw the show, and I told myself, ‘I’m going to do that. That’s my dream. I’m going to become a Rockette.’

“I worked really hard, and now I’m here. I’m honored to be part of the legend and one of the 18 women up there on that stage. I’m still amazed at times. I’m still in shock and I just love every minute of it and will never take it for granted.”

Russell returns to Ohio with The Radio City Christmas Spectacular, which appears Thursday through Dec. 28 at the State Theatre in Cleveland. Russell admits if there is one thing she’s learned over the past few years as a world famous Rockette, it’s some folks, well, um, aren’t quite sure what the show is really all about and thus miss out on what she says is a lot of fun.

“Some people say, ‘It’s a bunch of pretty girls in pretty sparkly costumes that kick and smile,’” Russell said. “And it’s not true at all. For example, out of all the dance stuff, this is the most strenuous job. It’s the most rewarding, but it’s so demanding. You have to be so strong in your core to do those kicks.

“Try doing 300 kicks. And they are all eye-high. It’s really just a great show for the whole entire family to see. You’ll be ready to celebrate Christmas by the time you walk out that door.”