MSG Varsity Debuts THE ROCKETTE SUMMER INTENSIVE, 3/15

MSG Varsity, Cablevision's 24/7 network devoted to all things high school, announces "The Rockette Summer Intensive" television series -- an up-close and personal look into Radio City's annual Rockette Summer Intensive program. Marking its tenth season as part of the Rockette Dance Education program, the Summer Intensive is a training program that offers aspiring dancers the extraordinary opportunity to study under Rockette Director/Choreographers and legendary Radio City Rockettes. The first episode of "The Rockette Summer Intensive" three-part series will air Tuesday, March 15 at 7:00 p.m. on MSG Varsity, channel 14 on Cablevision's iO TV.

In the premiere episode, seven tri-state area high school students will compete with more than 600 dancers from nine different cities spanning New York to San Francisco, for one of the coveted spots in the program. This first episode will follow the trials and tribulations of the young women as they participate in the Summer Intensive audition process and, hopefully, dance their way into the judges' hearts.

The seven local students profiled in the premiere episode include:
· Aimee Lane Allentown HS (Clarksburg, NJ)
· Eleni Gavalas Manhasset HS (Manhasset, NY)
· Fabiana Buontempo St John Vianney HS (Holmdel, NJ)
· Kaitlyn Bornkamp Plainedge HS (North Massapequa, NY)
· Kristen Smith Sacred Heart Academy (Hempstead, NY)
· Lianna Hosein-Sarro Bellport HS (Bellport, NY)
· Mariam Giorgadze Matawan Regional HS (Matawan, NJ)

Throughout this three-part series, Rockette hopefuls will share their energy and emotions beginning with their physical preparations for such a unique opportunity, to the moment they learn the results of the audition, to their extraordinary experience of training alongside the iconic Radio City Rockettes. Viewers will get to experience the drive and determination of this next generation of dancers with never before seen behind-the-scenes footage, featuring one-on-one interviews with students and also the creative visionaries behind The Rockettes including: Director and Choreographer of the Radio City Rockettes and the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, Linda Haberman; Rockettes Director and Choreographer, Eileen Grace; Rockette Dance Captain, Karen Keeler; Senior Vice President and General Manager of Theater and Rockette Operations, Richard Claffey; and VP of Touring Productions for the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, Jeff Capitola.

Acceptance into the Rockette Summer Intensive is a crucial stepping stone for Rockette hopefuls who aspire to one day dance with the legendary company. Since the inception of the Summer Intensive, 47 dancers who have gone through the program have "made the line" to become world-famous Radio City Rockettes!

"The world-famous Radio City Rockettes have thrilled millions with their incomparable precision dance technique for 85 years," said Michael Lardner,Senior Vice President and Executive Producer, MSG Varsity. "We are excited to present this inside look at the intense preparation necessary to become a Rockette through the eyes of promising young dancers who continue to be inspired by this legendary dance company."

"The Rockette Summer Intensive is a pivotal program for serious dancers who want to gain the training and technique of The Rockettes' precision dance style," said Eileen Grace, Rockettes Director and Choreographer. "Our dance education programs are invaluable for dancers and one of the best training tools for these talented Rockette hopefuls who strive to become part of the legendary line."

For more information on MSG Varsity's "The Rockette Summer Intensive" including future episode airdates and pictures from the auditions, please go to www.msgvarsity.com or www.rockettes.com.

About MSG Varsity
MSG Varsity is a multi-platform suite of services comprised of: a 24/7 HD television network, a comprehensive online destination, and a groundbreaking interactive service, all dedicated to high school sports, academics and activities happening throughout the tri-state area. Content for these services includes MSG Varsity's professionally produced programming as well as content created by the high schools themselves. Working in partnership with MSG Varsity, students and faculty are given extraordinary access to curriculum and training in multimedia creation and distribution, empowering them to become active participants in telling their school's stories. MSG Varsity is a Cablevision exclusive service not available to satellite or phone company TV subscribers and reaches three million households throughout the New York market. For more information, please visit www.msgvarsity.com http://www.msgvarsity.com/.

About MSG Entertainment
MSG Entertainment (MSGE), the live entertainment arm of Madison Square Garden, Inc. (Nasdaq: MSG), is a Worldwide Entertainment company recognized for its signature combination of event production and entertainment marketing. In addition to the nearly 900 entertainment concerts and events that take place each year at Radio City Music Hall, Madison Square Garden, The Theater at Madison Square Garden, The Beacon Theatre and The Chicago Theatre, MSGE has an exclusive co-booking agreement with Boston's Citi Performing Arts Center/ Wang Theatre. MSG Entertainment's live events include the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, which has played to more than 70 million people in 88 different cities across North America. More than five million people attend MSG Entertainment branded events annually including concerts, special events, and family attractions.

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