Jane Finnegan Pearson of Scottsdale, AZ performed for years with a St. Louis-based dance troupe that later moved to New York City and became the famed Radio City Rockette.
More than 250 girls auditioned for 25 dancer positions. It was a grueling three-day tryout. They were judged on their looks, personality and dance ability. The dancers were paid $30 a day which was alot of money during the Depression. Seven days a week they rehearsed from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. They had a few hours to eat dinner, do their make-up and hair before they performed. Audiences came from all over the United States and the shows were almost always sold out.
Pearson danced with the troupe until the Missouri Rockets moved to New York in 1939 and were renamed the Radio City Rockettes. After four years Jean made the decision not to move to New York. She never regretted her decision not to go on the road. Looking back, it's not the glamour or the fame she missed, it was the friends she made including late Hollywood actresses such as June Allyson.
Pat Locke, Maestro Muse
