The Radio City Rockettes Reveal Their Secret to Staying Warm During Freezing Performances Outside (Exclusive)

The Radio City Rockettes know how to bring the heat!

Synonymous with the holiday season that falls during some of New York’s coldest months of the year, the dapper dancers will stop at nothing to bring the holly spirit to every performance — even if that means stepping out (ahem, kicking out) in the freezing temperatures.

In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE ahead of the opening night of the Radio City Rockettes Christmas extravaganza, the three dancers — Britain Feeny, Alexis Payton and Jordan Betscher — shared the secret to staying warm when they’re not performing at the historic venue.

A total of 84 Rockettes take the Radio City stage to perform 90-minute shows between November and January; however, there are several outdoor performances in the city. These include the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and the Rockefeller Christmas Tree.

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The Radio City Rockettes perform outside Macy’s in New York City during the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

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Not to be forgotten, the 2018 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade marked one of the coldest parades in the event’s history, with temperatures reaching a low of 19°F that morning. As thousands of spectators lined the streets, the Rockettes gathered in their iconic dresses and tights.

“A few years ago, we actually had the coldest Thanksgiving ever,” Betscher recalls of a holiday morning that looked like 10°F in retrospect. “We were performing outside so it must have been cold, but there was so much adrenaline when we were performing.”

Betcher, now in her eighth season as a Rockette, says she “didn’t even realize how cold it was out there” until she took a breath (and saw it) when the performance ended. “I thought, ‘Oh. OK, it’s 10 degrees outside,'” she says with a laugh.

Feeny, now in her third season with the cast, agrees with Betcher’s mentality when battling the cold. “I think it’s the adrenaline. It rushes into your body,” she says of what helps her, noting that she and the other Rockettes were kept in a “holding area” inside until show time.

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The Radio City Rockettes stay warm during the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade rehearsal.

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“Then when we got outside, I remember feeling cold for about five seconds and then it just went away,” Feeny recalls of her Thanksgiving Parade experience. “When I did it, it wasn’t terribly cold.”

However, the experienced dancer knows how to prepare when the temperatures are below zero. “Sometimes we can double up on leggings depending on how cold it is that time of year,” she reveals.

Betcher seconded that advice, though he explained how the physical movements of their choreographed routines also warm them up. “We might be wearing double leggings, but we’re also keeping our bodies moving. We’re dancing, so that helps with time.”

Payton, meanwhile, will make her debut in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade this season after three years as a Radio City Rockette. He notes that performing on special shows outside of Radio City simply depends on the cast assigned to them each year and their respective schedules.

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The Radio City Rockettes perform their iconic eye punches during the 90th annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City.

Eric Liebowitz/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty

Regardless of the fact that this is her first parade, she knows what to expect. “I’ve heard from a lot of other women that it’s going to be cold,” she says with a laugh, though she adds that she’s “so excited” despite the possible cold temperatures.

She also has experience with the unpredictable elements of Mother Nature, having previously performed at Today’s show outside during the winter season. “When we have those street rehearsals, we’re always packed,” she says.

Payton also mentioned the double-tights tactic, but reiterated that they “don’t stay out too long before the show.” She adds, “So it’s not so bad when we go on stage.”

Earmuffs, gloves, long sleeves and long pants are just some of the layers Payton cites for keeping them comfortable before going on stage, along with the “adrenaline” that kicks in “when the cameras are on,” she says. “When it’s time to go, we’re absolutely ready!”

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Source: HIS Education