Biography

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.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. 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. 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.