School Of Dance Graduate Joins Broadway Musical

Media Release
From the New Zealand School of Dance
7 February 2005

Travis Khan, a 2004 graduate of the New Zealand School of Dance (NZSD), has been offered the chance of a lifetime to dance in the award-winning Broadway musical, The Lion King.

The 24-year-old contemporary dancer and choreographer first captured the attention of the casting directors in November last year, after they watched him do a 30 minute warm-up class in preparation for his final graduation season at the New Zealand School of Dance.

Along with 30 other hopefuls (including another dancer from the NZSD) Travis attended the final call back audition in Sydney. After a gruelling day he made it to the final three and then, to his surprise he was chosen as the final one.

"I went into the audition with no expectations and couldn't believe my luck when I was the only one asked back at the end of the day, I'd already started packing my bags," he says.

Rotorua born Travis has been offered a 14 month contract starting in April. He will take up this contract in Melbourne where The Lion King opens in June after a successful season at the Capitol Theatre in Sydney.

"This is an amazing opportunity and one that I couldn't even think of turning down", Travis says. "It will be such a different experience going from contemporary dance to musical theatre but I'm really excited about it."

Before leaving New Zealand Travis will perform with five graduates of the NZSD in a new dance piece called Snapshot, at the 2005 Fringe NZ Festival. He will then spend time at the New Zealand School of Dance teaching and choreographing for the 1st year contemporary dance students.

ENDS

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