Radio City Rockettes Detail the 'Intense Process' Behind Their Most Famous Stunt Dating Back Almost a Century (Exclusive)

BRB, we're practicing this ourselves!

The Radio City Christmas Spectacular has evolved its show annually since it was first performed at the historic Radio City Music Hall in 1933 — however, there is one number in particular that has stood the test of time (well, sort of).

That is the iconic "Parade of the Wooden Soldiers," the intricately choreographed, illusion-centric routine precisely executed by the Radio City Rockettes. Unforgettably, it concludes the memorable stunt known as the wooden soldier fall.

In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, a pair of Rockettes — Britain Feeny and Jordan Betscher — shared exclusively the secrets behind the famed fall that continues to impress its audiences nearly one century after the trick was debuted on the Manhattan stage in New York City.

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"It's actually probably one of my favorite numbers to perform because every single Rockette who's ever been a Rockette has done that number and worn that same costume," gushes Feeny, while also referencing the outfits that have remained nearly unchanged in the 91 years since they were made.

There's a lot the 36 dancers in the routine must consider throughout the entirety of the number to ensure their lines and choreography are in-sync to effectively create the stencil-like shapes and illusions on stage, all while mimicking perfect posture like that of a toy soldier.

"We do a lot of rehearsal for all of our numbers... We rehearse six hours a day, six days a week for six weeks leading up to the show," says Feeny, though reveals they put in extra time for the Parade of the Wooden Soldiers in particular.

"Then when we get to the stage, we can add in the lighting effects and we start adding in the costumes and all of that slowly to help create the illusion," she continues. "But definitely lots of rehearsal that goes into it."

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Betscher emphasizes, "It really is rigorous and an intense process, but that's just to get us to the most perfection that we can when we get to our opening." The Wooden Soldier number, specifically, requires an added element of athleticism, too.

"We fall on top of each other," Betscher clarifies of the domino-like effect the women create upon being knocked down by a prop cannon that fires and has them leaning back on each other to end their performance with a (literal) bang. "There's a lot of mechanics that go into it."

When creating the lean-back illusion, there are several elements the dancers must consider (in addition to the 3-foot-tall hats that sit atop their heads). "The fall specifically takes a lot of core strength and strength in your legs," Betscher makes known.

"We do keep our legs straight in order to not bend the fall and make it heavy on people's knees, so lots of core strength, arm strength, carrying the person in front of you and lifting," she continues. "To be a Rockette in general requires a lot of athleticism and technique."

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Betscher also highlights the importance of executing a "safe fall," despite it looking "very easy" from the audience's perspective "when it's really not," she says. "It's really cool to see it behind the scenes before it goes to stage."

For such a historic number, there are a million reasons why the Wooden Soldier routine is a notable one for the Rockettes who get to perform it. But for Betscher in particular, it's the hard work that's put into its execution and the bond that's formed between dancers that makes it so special.

"I think that's one of the most amazing moments in the show because it truly shows our athleticism and sisterhood since we're truly holding each other's backs as we go down," she reveals. "And once we finish it and the audience knows, that's an amazing part of the show to come see."

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She adds, "So it's really cool to do that part of the number."

Feeny's love for the number echoes her fellow dancer's appreciation. "It takes a lot of practice and it also takes a lot of trust with the women beside us. We do the same steps every single time to make sure that we have a safe fall and it really is iconic," she says.

"Parade of the Wooden Soldiers has been in the show since 1933, since its inception. Every single Rockette has performed that number, has worn that costume and has done the Wooden Soldier fall," she continues. "That to me is just the most iconic thing."

Feeny concludes, "To say that I'm a part of this legacy, that I've done what every single Rockette has done is truly amazing."

Read the original article on People