On Sunday January 28th, people from all over the tri-state area filed into the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark to witness Emmy Award Winning Travis Wall’s newest show. For those of you who are thinking, Travis who? Here is quick bio about Travis Wall and the dance company he created known as Shaping Sound.
Travis Wall is a world renounced dancer and choreographer who is most famously recognized for his performance on Fox’s So You Think You Can Dance. Travis started as a contestant on the show, earning second place for season two. After his time as a contestant, he became a resident choreographer for the show. It was during his time as a choreography on SYTYCD that he took the world by storm with his amazing, beautiful, and emotional choreography. His pieces have been nominated for 5 Emmy’s and finally winning his first back in 2015. Travis has since created a dance company named “Shaping Sound.” The company is under the artistic direction of Travis Wall and includes many people he has shared the stage with such as, Teddy Forance and Gabby Diaz. Shaping Sound: After the Curtain is the second show the company has put together and you don’t want to miss out!
I work for a dance studio and was able to attend the show recently. We decided to take our company dancers to go see the show. Growing up I was never a dancer, I played sports my whole life. The only dancing I ever did was around my room listening to music — I mean, haven’t we all? So going to this show was going to be something new for me. While working at the dance studio, I watched many of the competitions and dance recitals and have come to appreciate dance as art. While taking my seat, I wasn’t sure what to expect. Will I understand it? Will I appreciate all the dancing even though I don’t know what they’re doing? I hoped for the best as the lights dimmed and the curtain went up. From that moment on, I was amazed.
The show was incredible. Between the storyline and the dancing, you could not look away! During intermission, I was begging for more! The show’s story line is powerful and interesting while the dancing provides emotion where words are absent. In the beginning of the show the main character, played by Travis Wall, gives insight to what it is about to unfold. The story is about a tragedy the main character has experienced. Through the telling of his story, he is hoping to find relief from his pain and suffering.
The main aspect that stuck out to me was the emotional expression of the main character. In every piece, you can see the pain and passion he felt. During the show, he performs with another dancer who represents his “demons.” The scenes with the two of them were outstanding. It was amazing to see how the art of dance was able to express an entire story through movement and music.
I would recommend this show for anyone who is interested in the arts! You may not understand dance but there is something special about experiencing a show that is uses dance as a way to express a story. It is an experience that was truly incredible and you don’t want to miss out!
Check out one of their performances from the show: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gbewSNajZ0