Hubbry Logo
Travis PayneTravis PayneMain
Open search
Travis Payne
Community hub
Travis Payne
logo
7 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Travis Payne
Travis Payne
from Wikipedia

Travis Payne (born July 5, 1971) is an American choreographer, director, and producer. He was the choreographer for Michael Jackson's This Is It until Jackson's death. Payne also served as the associate producer for This Is It and along with the director, Kenny Ortega, was extensively and intimately involved in the making of the film. To date, This Is It worldwide gross revenue totaled $261.3 million during its theatrical run, making it the highest-grossing documentary or concert movie of all time.[1][2][3]

Key Information

Travis Payne is the youngest inductee into the Gallery of Greats and the recipient of numerous nominations and awards. He has received the MTV Video Music Award for Best Choreography four times for his work with En Vogue, Salt-N-Pepa, as well as Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson on the music video and short film "Scream," which was listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the most expensive music video ever made. He also received three American Choreography Awards, including honors for his work on "Scream" and Michael Jackson's Ghosts. Payne was nominated for an Emmy Award for his choreography work with Michael Jackson on the "Dangerous" performance for the 1995 MTV Video Music Awards opening segment. He was again nominated for an Emmy Award in 2006 for his work on Disney's The Suite Life of Zack & Cody. He is also a two-time recipient of the Music Video Producers Association Award for Outstanding Achievement in Choreography for his work with the Brian Setzer Orchestra and Ally McBeal. In December 2009, Payne was featured with a write-up in the Michael Jackson Opus and recognized for his choreography and contribution to his work with the King of Pop.[4][5] He also appeared in a 1993 episode of the TV series Martin.

On January 26, 2011, Travis Payne received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 12th anniversary show of The Carnival: Choreographer's Ball.[6]

Early life and education

[edit]
Travis Payne at This Is It launch in HMV London, 2010.

Travis Payne was born in Atlanta in 1971. He began dancing at age 4 and began formal training five years later with Norma B. Mitchell and her daughter, Djana Bell. In 1984, Payne went to Northside School of the Arts, where he studied with William G. Densmore and performed in Atlanta's Showbiz Kids. He later joined the Harrison Dance Company before moving to Los Angeles.

Career

[edit]

At 19, Payne was selected for his first professional role, joining Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814 World Tour. He subsequently appeared with Prince, Debbie Allen, En Vogue, TLC, and Michael Jackson on his Dangerous World Tour.[citation needed] As a result of his work with Jackson, Payne was exposed to the entire creative process and began to choreograph for various other stars. In 2008, Payne choreographed a tribute segment to Michael Jackson, which included Omarion on the television series Dancing with the Stars.

In May 2009, Payne started to work with Michael Jackson and Kenny Ortega on This Is It which was a sold-out series of fifty concerts by Jackson to be held at the O2 Arena in London. These were Jackson's first significant concert events since the HIStory World Tour in 1997 and had been cited as one of the year's most important musical events, with over one million people attending in total. Unfortunately, the concert series was canceled due to Jackson's untimely death. On July 7, 2009, Payne helped choreograph the Michael Jackson memorial service at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, which was broadcast live around the world, from the U.S. to Slovakia to parts of Asia, with an estimated one billion viewers. Following Jackson's passing, Payne worked very closely with Ortega to piece together rehearsal footage from Michael Jackson's This Is It which was put together from rough footage recorded at the Los Angeles Forum and the Staples Center. Subsequently, the film was released worldwide with a limited two-week theatrical run from October 28 to November 12, 2009. Tickets went on sale a month early, on September 27, 2009, to satisfy a high anticipated demand; to date, the film has broken numerous records via tickets, both pre-sale and sales worldwide.

In December 2009, Payne also choreographed Lady Gaga on The Monster Ball Tour as well as provided direction for her performances on the 2009 American Music Awards, The Jay Leno Show, and Ellen. He also worked with Mariah Carey on her "H.A.T.E.U." video. To round out the year, he traveled to Japan to work with SMAP and choreograph a Michael Jackson tribute that was aired on TV for the New Year's Eve special.[5]

In January 2010, Payne embarked on a peace tour and arranged a surprise visit to the Cebu province of the Philippines to work with the CPDRC Dancing Inmates of the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC), a maximum security that is also featured in the Michael Jackson Opus. Famous for their "Thriller" which received 300,000 views per day at its peak, the video has received over 37 million reported views and is considered one of the most viral videos viewed on the internet. Payne, along with This Is It dancers Daniel Celebre (a.k.a. Da FunkyMystic) and Dres Reid taught over 1500 dancing inmates to perform "The Drill" as part of the song "They Don't Care About Us" which was videotaped to coincide with the This Is It DVD and Blu-ray release on January 25, 2010. The clip went live on YouTube, Yahoo and TMZ and immediately captured more than 3 million views within a week of its release online.

In April 2010, Payne was honored by The Michael Jackson Tribute Portrait, the largest Michael Jackson tribute in the world, endorsed by the Jackson Family Foundation. The tribute is an interactive work of art by artist David Ilan, which is made from one million hand-drawn dots. Friends and family of Jackson's get a dot in their name in the area of Jackson's heart.

In October 2010, CBS announced that Payne would join Kimberly Wyatt executive producer, lead judge, and personal idol Paula Abdul on the judges panel for her new dance competition and reality show Live to Dance. CBS describes the series as broadcast television's first all-ages, all-genres dance series that is based on Sky 1's UK dance show Got to Dance. The different acts will compete for a $500,000 prize in front of the panel of judges, and viewers will eventually get to vote for their favorite dancers during the semifinal and final rounds. Live to Dance kicked off with a two-hour special on January 4, 2011 before moving to its regular hour-long slot on Wednesdays, which started on January 5.

Payne also creatively directed and choreographed for Hong Kong singer Andy Lau along with Stacy Walker for the Andy Lau Unforgettable Concert 2010 throughout the year. In addition, he also worked with Han Geng to choreograph the singer's title track for his first solo album, along with four other dancers from This Is It. When the album promotions arose, Payne performed with the singer and the dancers on various Chinese variety and talk shows as the opening.

In November 2010, Payne was seen on Michael Jackson's The Experience at Dance School.

Payne also worked with pop singer Manika. He choreographed her live shows along with directing and choreographing her debut music video, "Just Can't Let You Go," featuring Young Money's Lil Twist.[7]

In 2013, Payne started work in Japan with Johnny & Associates.

In 2022, Payne became a judge of the talent competition show Yoshiki Superstar Project X, airing on Hulu Japan and produced by Japanese musician and composer Yoshiki.[8]

Filmography

[edit]

Film

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1992 Newsies Newsies Dancer
1996 Michael Jackson's Ghosts Dancer
1997 Cinderella Dancer #3 TV movie
1999 Double Platinum Dancer

Television

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1993 Martin Dancer Episode: "Variety Show"
1994 Red Shoe Diaries Dancer Episode: "Emily's Dance"
1998 Ally McBeal Go-Go Dancer #4 Episode: "Making Spirits Bright"
2002 Lizzie McGuire Teacher Episode: "Inner Beauty"

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Travis Payne (born July 5, 1971) is an American choreographer, director, and producer best known for his extensive collaborations with Michael Jackson, including serving as associate director, producer, and choreographer for the concert film This Is It (2009), which grossed $261 million worldwide and held the Guinness World Record for the highest-grossing concert film at the time of its release. Born in Atlanta, Georgia, Payne began his creative journey at age seven and moved to Hollywood, where he joined Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814 World Tour as a dancer in 1990, marking the start of his professional career in the music industry. Over the next two decades, he worked closely with Michael Jackson starting in 1992, contributing choreography to tours such as the Dangerous World Tour (1992–1993) and HIStory World Tour (1996–1997), as well as music videos like "Scream" (1995) featuring Janet Jackson, which holds the Guinness record for the most expensive music video ever produced. Payne's portfolio extends to numerous other prominent artists, including , , , Usher, , , and , where he has directed and choreographed music videos, live performances, and stage shows. He has earned two Emmy Award nominations, three for Best , and two American Choreography Awards for his innovative contributions to visual and performance arts. In , Payne founded Travis Payne Productions to develop groundbreaking live and filmed entertainment projects that blend artistry with commercial appeal. His film choreography credits include Coyote Ugly (2000) and (2003), further solidifying his influence in both music and cinema.

Early life and education

Childhood and early dance training

Travis Payne was born on July 5, 1971, in , Georgia. Payne's initial exposure to dance came through informal influences within his family and participation in local classes in , sparking his early interest in movement and performance. He started dancing at age eight. At around nine years old, he commenced formal training at Norma's Academy of Dance under the guidance of founder Norma B. Mitchell and her daughter Djana Bell, focusing on foundational techniques in , tap, and . Throughout the and early , Payne engaged in local performances and competitions in , where Mitchell recognized his talent and personally funded his competition entries to nurture his potential as a professional r. These experiences at Norma's provided a supportive environment for honing his skills amid Atlanta's burgeoning Black community. This early phase culminated in his transition to more structured academic training at the Northside School of the Arts in 1985.

Formal education and move to Los Angeles

In 1985, building on his early childhood dance training at Norma's Academy of Fine Arts in , Travis Payne enrolled at Northside High School of Performing Arts (now ), where he focused on with an emphasis on . There, he studied under instructors William G. Densmore in musical theater and Gary Harrison in , honing his skills through rigorous classes that integrated technique, , and creative expression. During high school, Payne deepened his involvement with the Harrison Dance Company, Gary Harrison's contemporary ensemble, where he participated in group performances and began experimenting with . These experiences allowed him to collaborate on ensemble pieces that blended styles, fostering his understanding of and artistic direction while still a teenager. Payne graduated from Northside High School in 1989. He then attended before relocating to around 1990. Upon arrival, he immersed himself in the competitive environment by attending auditions and securing minor gigs as a dancer, including background roles in music videos and stage shows, all before turning 19 in July 1990.

Career

Early professional work with Janet Jackson

Travis Payne made his professional debut as a dancer at the age of 19 on Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814 World Tour in 1990, shortly after moving to to pursue his career. The tour, which supported Jackson's fourth studio album, featured highly synchronized choreography emphasizing military precision and social themes, with Payne performing alongside a ensemble of dancers across 127 shows in , , and . This experience marked his entry into the professional dance world, where he contributed to the tour's dynamic live performances that drew over 2 million attendees worldwide. Following the tour's conclusion, Payne transitioned into assistant choreographer roles on Jackson's subsequent projects, including and live performances in the early , honing his craft in high-profile pop productions. This period allowed him to build on the foundational training from his move to , applying his skills to more creative directing elements. During this time, he also began early collaborations with other R&B artists, such as choreographing En Vogue's "Free Your Mind" in 1992, which earned an Video Music Award for Best . These efforts helped establish his reputation in the pop and dance circuits, showcasing his ability to blend precise movements with artistic expression. Through these initial roles, Payne developed key skills in synchronizing large ensembles, as demonstrated in the Rhythm Nation tour's group routines involving up to a dozen dancers executing uniform formations. He also gained expertise in adapting for international tours, tailoring performances to diverse venues and audiences across continents while maintaining the production's high-energy cohesion.

Collaboration with Michael Jackson

Travis Payne's collaboration with Michael Jackson began in the early 1990s and evolved into a longstanding creative partnership that spanned tours, music videos, and posthumous projects, building on Payne's prior experience choreographing for . Payne first joined as a dancer and choreographer for the from 1992 to 1993, where he contributed to the high-energy sequences performed in stadiums across multiple continents. He continued in a similar role for the from 1996 to 1997, assisting with dancer selection, costume ideas, and choreography that emphasized 's dynamic stage presence in large-scale arena settings. Payne's work extended to visual media, including co-choreographing the music video for "Scream" in 1995, a collaboration featuring both Michael and Janet Jackson that showcased innovative, aggressive dance moves in a futuristic set. He also contributed choreography to the short film Ghosts (1996–1997), directed by Stan Winston, where Jackson played the lead role of a supernatural entertainer, incorporating elaborate group routines that blended horror elements with rhythmic precision. In 2009, Payne served as lead choreographer and associate director for rehearsals of Jackson's planned This Is It concert residency at London's , a series of 50 shows that were canceled following Jackson's death on , 2009. Payne then took on the role of associate producer and choreographer for the documentary concert film (2009), directed by , which compiled rehearsal footage and achieved a worldwide gross of $261.3 million. Additionally, Payne helped choreograph the memorial service for Jackson held on July 7, 2009, at the Staples Center in , coordinating tributes that honored the performer's legacy through dance.

Work with other artists and media projects

Travis Payne expanded his choreography expertise beyond his earlier high-profile collaborations, applying innovative blends of and pop performance to a range of artists in the 2000s and 2010s. His work emphasized dynamic, narrative-driven sequences that fused urban movement with mainstream spectacle, influencing live shows and videos for major pop figures. In the late 2000s, Payne choreographed sequences for Lady Gaga's inaugural North American leg of , incorporating theatrical elements and high-energy group dynamics to complement her aesthetic. He also directed and choreographed performances for , including contributions that highlighted precise, empowering formations blending hip-hop precision with contemporary flair. Similarly, his choreography for Usher's live shows and videos featured rhythmic street influences, such as in key promotional sequences that showcased athletic footwork and crowd engagement. Payne's collaborations extended to , where he crafted for her tours and specials, integrating bold, interpretive movements that echoed her provocative style while incorporating accessible pop-street hybrids. For , he handled the for her 2009 music video "H.A.T.E.U.," directing dancers in synchronized routines that merged sensual pop with urban edge. Although specific projects with Prince are less documented, Payne's client roster includes the artist, reflecting his versatility in adapting to funk and rock-infused performances during the . Internationally, Payne ventured into Asian markets, choreographing for Japanese acts under starting in the early 2010s, including contributions to the agency's pop groups that popularized his street-pop fusion abroad. He notably assisted in forming the group in 2012, named in his honor, and worked on sequences for established acts like , adapting his style for award shows and specials. These global projects often featured multilingual performances at events like the MTV Asia Awards, where Payne's routines emphasized cultural crossover through accessible, high-impact . In media appearances, Payne served as a on the 2022 Hulu Japan talent competition Yoshiki Superstar Project X, alongside international stars like and , evaluating aspiring performers on vocal and dance innovation. His production roles in music videos and specials during this period, such as directing hybrid street-pop sequences for various pop acts, underscored his commitment to evolving through technology and diverse influences.

Later directing and producing roles

In the , Payne transitioned into expanded directing and producing roles, co-founding Travis Payne Productions in to develop innovative projects in filmed, live, and branded entertainment that blend artistic vision with commercial appeal. He has maintained a close creative partnership with choreographer and producer Stacy Walker, who serves as co-director and key collaborator at the company, contributing to its development and production efforts across various media. This collaboration builds on their prior work together, enabling Payne to lead multidisciplinary teams in conceptualizing and executing high-profile content. Payne's directing work in the 2010s and beyond includes contributions to major productions such as du Soleil's ONE, a Las Vegas residency show launched in 2013, where he provided alongside director to capture the essence of Michael Jackson's performances through acrobatic and dance elements. The production has since become a long-running , emphasizing Payne's expertise in translating iconic to theatrical formats. Additionally, Payne assisted in the formation of the Japanese boy band in 2012 during the stage show Playzone '12 The Show Is Endless, with the group named in his honor as a nod to his influential style. More recently, Payne and Walker have hosted the Full Out with The Real Travis and Stacy, launched in the early 2020s, which features in-depth conversations on , arts, and the industry with guests ranging from established artists to emerging talents. The series highlights Payne's ongoing influence in fostering dialogue about creative processes and career paths in performance. Through representation by MSA Agency as master dance educators, Payne and Walker continue to lead education initiatives, offering workshops and training that draw on their extensive experience to mentor dancers in commercial and contemporary styles.

Filmography

Feature films

Travis Payne began his contributions to feature films as a dancer in the musical (1992), directed by , where he performed in ensemble dance sequences depicting the newsboys' strikes in turn-of-the-century New York. In 1996, Payne served as a choreographer for Michael Jackson's short film Ghosts, co-creating dynamic dance routines that blended horror elements with intricate group choreography, earning recognition from the American Choreography Awards. In Coyote Ugly (2000), Payne provided additional choreography, enhancing the film's iconic bar-top dance scenes with high-energy routines that captured the raw, improvisational spirit of the New York nightlife setting. Payne's role expanded to lead choreographer for the musical romance (2003), where he crafted vibrant beach and performance sequences for winners and , though the film received mixed reviews for its choreography. He also served as choreographer for the comedy Date Movie (2006), contributing dance sequences to the film's parody sketches.

Television series and specials

Travis Payne contributed choreography to several television series and specials, bringing his expertise in dynamic dance sequences to episodic formats. His work often emphasized musical and performance elements, enhancing narrative moments through movement. Payne appeared as Dancer #3 in the TV movie (1997), starring , contributing to the ensemble performances in key musical numbers like "Impossible/It's Possible." He took on choreography duties for the TV movie Double Platinum (1999), starring and Brandy, designing the dance sequences for the musical drama about a mother's rise to fame and reconciliation with her daughter. In the legal comedy-drama , Payne served as choreographer for the 1999 episode "Let's Dance," where he crafted the musical numbers featuring the show's signature fantasy dance sequences. This contribution aligned with the series' blend of courtroom drama and whimsical performances. Payne provided choreography for the episode "Willkommen" in 2006, integrating dance elements into the crime procedural's flashback storytelling to evoke period-specific atmospheres. One of his notable television achievements was choreographing sequences for The Suite Life of Zack & Cody, earning an Emmy nomination in 2006 for Outstanding . Specifically, he worked on the episode "Commercial Breaks," creating energetic routines that complemented the sitcom's youthful, comedic tone. This project highlighted his versatility in family-oriented programming. Additional credits include choreography for the reality series (2001), supporting contestant performances. These roles extended Payne's film choreography skills to scripted and unscripted television specials.

Awards and recognition

MTV Video Music Awards

Travis Payne has earned three for Best Choreography, all in the 1990s, for his work on influential R&B and videos that showcased synchronized, high-energy routines blending hip-hop, contemporary, and styles. These accolades, awarded annually since 1990, recognize outstanding movement in music videos as selected by a committee of industry professionals including choreographers, directors, and executives who review submissions from eligible releases of the prior year. His first win occurred in 1992 for En Vogue's "My Lovin' (You're Never Gonna Get It)", co-choreographed with Frank Gatson Jr. and LaVelle Smith Jr., featuring precise group formations and attitude-driven isolations that amplified the track's sassy empowerment theme. The following year, 1993, Payne secured another victory for En Vogue's "Free Your Mind", again collaborating with Gatson and Smith, where the choreography incorporated bold, socially conscious gestures like protest marches reimagined through fluid hip-hop sequences to underscore the song's message of tolerance. His third and final win came in 1995 for Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson's "Scream", co-choreographed with , , and Sean Cheesman; set aboard a stark, futuristic spacecraft, the video's innovative movements fused contemporary dance's angular extensions and floorwork with Michael Jackson's iconic precision—evoking the dramatic intensity of his earlier "Thriller" era—through aggressive, synchronized leaps and punches that visually channeled the siblings' shared frustration with media scrutiny. These consecutive victories in the competitive Best Choreography category, which honors craft over performance, solidified Payne's reputation as a versatile innovator in music video dance, bridging R&B ensembles with pop icons and influencing subsequent high-concept visuals in the genre.

Other choreography and production awards

Payne received three American Choreography Awards for his choreography work, including honors for the 1995 music video "Scream" featuring and , as well as for the 1997 short film Ghosts starring . He earned two nominations for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Choreography, first in 1996 for his contributions to the and later in 2006 for a special class - variety, music or program. In recognition of his innovative music video choreography, Payne won Awards twice: in 1997 for his work on a project alongside collaborators LaVelle Smith and , and in 1998 for the Orchestra's "Jump Jive 'n Wail," which highlighted his swing-infused style. Payne is also a two-time recipient of the Music Video Production Association (MVPA) for Outstanding Achievement in , both for his collaborations with , underscoring his versatility in blending jazz and rock elements. On January 26, 2011, Payne was presented with a at the 12th anniversary celebration of The Carnival: Choreographer's Ball, honoring his decades-long impact on and production.

References

Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.