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American History

Amazing Behind The Scenes Photos of Historic Broadway Shows

Dancers perform a scene from musical Oklahoma!
Rehearsal for Oklahoma, c. late 1960s. Public domain.

Down Time

Three dancers take a break on a bench
Exhausted dancers rehearse By Jupiter. NY Public Library (1942, no known restrictions).

Exhausted dancers rest in their down time during rehearsals for By Jupiter.  One woman stretches out on a bench, still wearing her tap shoes, to grab a few quiet moments.  A man smoking a cigarette looks on, embraced by a grinning woman as they recoup their energy for their next cue.  A pile of dirty ballet shoes lies under the shared bench.

While it could not have been particularly comfortable, the group would need to stay close by in case the director or choreographer calls them back onstage to run another number.  Being cast in a show is thrilling, but it is extremely physically demanding for the performers, crew members, and everyone involved in showtime.

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