Rockette Hopefuls Hit Radio City This Week For Dancer Auditions

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Hundreds of young women from around the country are coming to the city this week, prepared to kick their dance routines into high gear.

They're vying to appear with The Rockettes at the 2013 Radio City Christmas Spectacular.

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The aspiring dancers lined up Tuesday outside Radio City Music Hall for the open audition.

They were taken into a rehearsal space to learn a dance routine which they then performed in front of a panel of judges.

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Those who make it -- a good dozen or so -- will return for the show that runs from Nov. 8 to Dec. 30.

"Christmas is my favorite and smiling is my favorite so if you put them together you have a Rockette." said one hopeful. "I would love to do it. I've been dancing since I was two and this would just be a dream."

One hopeful has a leg up on the others. Paige Melanson from Las Vegas won the "Jump the Line" contest that gets her in first. But she still must audition.

Dancers must be at least 18 years old and between 5-feet-6-inches tall and 5-fee-10 1/2- inches tall without their heels on to be considered for the Rockettes.