You’d be forgiven for thinking the Rockettes—with their perma-grins and sylph-like limbs—were the dance world’s answer to Miss America: all sequined style and no substance. But you’d be wrong. In fact, the troupe’s 20 dancers work like hell, staging intricately choreographed precision routines (try executing an eye-high kick while staying put in a pinwheel formation and you’ll have some idea of what’s involved). Created by Missouri-born impresario Russell Markert, the Rockettes were a runaway hit from the first time they took the stage at Radio City Music Hall in 1933. This season, Krista Saab—a troupe member since 2003—joins her colleagues for all 84 high-octane performances (often up to four a day). As the Brampton-born 30-year-old limbers up for a morning rehearsal, she dishes about sky-high hair, costume snafus and making her mom cry.

When did you decide you wanted to be a Rockette?
At 15, my family and I toured Radio City Music Hall. I remember walking onstage—I knew then.

Tell me about the audition process.
Thousands of women were lined up around the block in New York. Rockettes have to be between 5’6” and 5’10 1” tall, and some, just shy of that, would style their hair high for a chance.

What’s it like backstage?
There are eight costume changes and sometimes we have only 90 seconds to complete them, so we run to our spots, get unzipped, change and run back out. It’s like its own little choreo­graphed routine.

Ever had a wardrobe malfunction?
In one number, we wear these little red cloth cheeks. Sometimes it gets so hot that they start sliding off our faces.

Describe the most memorable performance of your career.
My first show. You just get all this energy from the audience mixed with anxiety. My mom had to come back later for another show because she was crying so much—she was so proud.

The Rockettes take the stage at the Hummingbird Centre for the Performing Arts Nov. 14 to Dec. 31.