21 Quick Questions with Rockette Natalie Reid

Natalie Reid’s precise technique and bubbly personality have earned her veteran status with the Radio City Rockettes—this is her eighth season! A Seattle, WA, native, Reid attended Chapman University, majoring in public relations and advertising. While in school, she also trained with Mandy Moore and at Edge Performing Arts Center. She’s danced with companies including Justin Giles’ SoulEscape, Anaheim Ballet, and Odyssey Dance Theatre, and she joined the Rockettes in 2011. Catch her on the Radio City stage this season—and read on for The Dirt! —Courtney Bowers

What’s your favorite Broadway show?

Wicked
—I love all the songs and I cry every time I see it.

If you were a superhero, what would your special power be?

Flying!

What are your pet peeves?

Being in crowded places, which is funny since I live in Manhattan!

What performer would you drop everything to go see?

Beyoncé. I’ve never seen her live.

If you could work with any choreographer, who would it be?

Crystal Pite. I absolutely love her work and storytelling.

Do you have any hidden talents?

Snowboarding. I love the mountains and tend to take four to five big skiing/snowboarding trips a year.

What’s your favorite workout?

I love to run! A few other Rockettes and I recently completed our first marathon in Berlin.

What did you want to be when you were a kid?

A new broadcaster. My best friend and I used to make my parents watch us give a fake broadcast in the living room. We even set up a news desk and had fake microphones.

Do you have any guilty pleasures?

Dark chocolate

What’s your favorite book?

“The Traveler’s Gift”

What’s your most-watched TV show?

“Game of Thrones”—I can’t believe it’s almost the last season!

What’s the strangest thing in your dance bag?

Peppermint Foot Spray. It’s essential.

What’s the most-played song on your playlist?

Alicia Keys “Empire State of Mind.” During my first year as a Radio City Rockette, I listened to it every day on the way to rehearsal to remind myself how lucky I am to be on this incredible journey in this amazing city.

What’s your advice for young dancers?

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?

South America. It’s been on my list of places to visit. My fiancé and I are thinking about it as a honeymoon trip, so hopefully we’ll check it off soon!

What’s your go-to stress reliever?

A good vinyasa yoga class. Being in a calming yoga studio after navigating the busy streets of NYC is the best way to take a moment for myself and ease my mind and body.

Who would play you in a movie?

Jessica Chastain—since we’re both redheads!

What’s one food you can’t live without?

Greek salad. I could eat it for every meal.

Who can always make you laugh?

The Rockettes I share a dressing room with at Radio City. They’re the best!

What’s something no one knows about you?

I did karate, gymnastics, softball, soccer, rode horses, and played competitive piano as a kid.

Where do you feel happiest?

At the lake back home in Seattle, WA. I absolutely love being on the water, and the backdrop of Mount Rainier and the Seattle skyline is so incredibly special.

A version of this story appeared in the December 2018 issue of
Dance Spirit with the title “The Dirt with Natalie Reid.”