Travis Wall, Nick Lazzarini, and Kyle Robinson are Back!
We’ve collected dance tips from around the web from all three!
Shaping Sound’s 2015 show filled our theatre with screaming fans – dancers of almost all ages who couldn’t wait to see one of the most famous choreographers of today on stage with his company. Here’s a clip from last year’s show: it’s a portion of the audience favourite, Shaping Sound’s “Bohemian Rhapsody,” that was performed last year on The Ellen Show.

This year’s show, After the Curtain, tells the story of a man fighting to find his creative voice after the death of his one true love. Cast information will be coming shortly, but you’ll for sure get to see three of the four Shaping Sound co-founders: Travis Wall, Nick Lazzarini, and Kyle Robinson.
Technique
Nick told Dance Spirit that technique is still important. He advised that you definitely need a solid background in jazz and ballet for contemporary.
In addition, learn as many styles as you can. “The more well-versed you are in all the different styles,” he says in Austin Entertainment Weekly, “the better chance you will have of becoming a professional dancer. Don’t pigeon hole yourself into being one kind of dancer.”
It’s also easy to become comfortable in your home dance school. Break out of that. Nick credits attending workshops and master classes with helping him navigate the professional world.
Technique performed like a robot is boring to watch. (Unless, of course, you’re Virgil and Hailee from Season 12 of SYTYCD.) You need to be fully present, Travis wrote in one of his Inside Dance columns. “It has to be applying yourself – staying present. I feel like there should never be just ‘acting.’ You have to draw from experience, connect with the piece and then allow yourself to express the emotion,” he says.
But also be realistic. A career as a performing artist is tough. In an interview with Stage Buddy, Kyle talked about the sacrifices you need to take if you’re going to be on the road a lot. “Sacrifices do happen, even if you don’t intend for them to. It’s tough and it’s tough being a traveling artist especially. Maybe that’s why people decide to pursue other things and more consistent pay checks.”
The reason Travis turned to choreography so early, he wrote in Inside Dance, was because he sustained a huge injury at age 12 or 14. He knew he had a talent for choreography, and since the length of his dance career was limited, he began choreographing at a younger age than many.
Whether you’re a dancer yourself or you’ve got one in the family or you just love to watch it, Shaping Sound is a must-see. Their last show at the Centre sold out . Get your tickets now before they’re gone.