Choreographer Travis Payne ‘reimagines’ MJ’s work in Cirque tour

14th February 2012   ·   0 Comments

By Nayita Wilson
Contributing Writer

World traveled and widely respected turbo cash loan choreographer, director and producer Travis Payne is one of 10 choreographers with creative leadership roles in Cirque du Soleil’s Michael Jackson THE IMMORTAL World Tour. Payne, 40, brings an intimate perspective to the show, having been a friend and co-choreographer to the late Michael Jackson for 15 years. In 2009, Payne worked very closely with Jackson to prepare for This Is It—a series of concerts that were to take place in London, but were cut short due to Jackson’s unexpected death in June 2009. Out of respect to Michael and the art he produced, Payne took on the associate producer role for the documentary film Michael Jackson’s This Is It, which chronicles those final rehearsals and days of Jackson’s life.

Now on one of the most imaginative platforms to date, Payne says he and his colleagues have been able to pay homage to Michael through the Cirque du Soleil tour, which will unfold inside the New Orleans Arena this week, February 15 – 16. The Louisiana Weekly recently spoke with Payne to discuss the tour and his ties to New Orleans.

Travis, how did the cash advance loveland colorado Cirque Du Soleil collaboration materialize?

Cirque du Soleil has always been a company that I aspired to work with, but every young dancer wants to work with Michael Jackson. I began my career as a dancer with Janet Jackson’s Rhythm Nation 1814 world tour and then began working with Michael. Cut to This Is It, and I was entrusted to train the new dancers. It was also a mentoring process with Michael. I was left with those tasks after his passing. Later, Jamie King who is the writer and producer for this tour, asked me to join him on the project. This was a wonderful way for me to turn the page and fulfill a dream that I’d already had.

How does this tour compare to other projects?

Of course it’s different because we’re now interpreting Michael’s work as opposed to working Michael’s vision. It’s a huge emotional undertaking. But we’ve been able to reimagine the art and the music and will be able to continue to reimagine them to pay homage to Michael for decades.

sainsburys unsecured loan What do you hope to accomplish with the tour?

I hope to be able to pass on the information in a way that Michael will be proud. I also hope to pass it on to a new generation of Michael Jackson fans in a way that they will appreciate. We try to keep Mic­hael’s sensibility in every aspect of the show. We have tried to keep Michel in the room.

Having said, that how do you move forward knowing that Michael isn’t in the room?

We’re all human. It can be very emotional, but you just remember that you are left with a responsibility, and you’re one of the few people in the room who have to do it. Even though Michael was taken away from us quickly, his work lives on. His art lives on. I think that would make him very happy.

What have been some of the challenges and successes of this project?

Creating one of the biggest moments in either brand’s history at an accelerated pace has been the greatest challenge. But bringing the show to payday loans musselburgh the stage on opening night remains the highlight of this experience.

What can the New Orleans audience anticipate?

I think they can expect a singularly unique experience. Everybody loves and respects Michael. The show will touch everyone in a different way. It will be an emotional experience. Hopefully, the audience will feel the permission to celebrate and party.

Tell us about your ties to New Orleans.

My mother, Irene Reddo Payne, is a New Orleans native. I was raised in Atlanta, but have many childhood memories of New Orleans. My mom and I were there about three months ago for a family reunion. But she’s in New Orleans all the time and has plans to visit this Mardi Gras.

If he was here, what would Michael say about the opportunity to work with Cirque Du Soleil?

He would say, “Turn the music up,” He would want everything louder.

This article was originally published in the February 13, 2012 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper