Travis Burge: Work for it!
L.A. | The Atom
Floydada, Texas native Travis Burge has always had a love for music. He grew up with a family of "pickers and grinners" who would sit around at family gatherings with their guitars and fiddles, and sing classic country songs.
"My mom still belts Reba at the top of her lungs in the car," Burge said. "It's the best sound in the world!"
He discovered his musical talents when he moved to Lubbock with his mother at age 13. His first choir teacher was Tammy Martin at Smylie Wilson Middle School. He sang his first solo on stage during a Christmas concert in 7th grade. Burge attended Coronado High School, where he participated in varsity choir and show choir under director Brett Farr. He found his love for theatre in his senior year when he auditioned for the Musical "Fiddler on the Roof." He was hooked!
Burge auditioned for the one-act competition under the direction of Melody McDaniel. He was cast in a production of “The Beggar’s Opera” that qualified for State for the first time in 25 years. He also earned First Chair Tenor for the 2006 All-State Choir.
“I developed my passion for singing and musical theatre thanks to amazing teachers," said Burge.
After high school graduation, Burge studied vocal performance with an emphasis in musical theatre at Wayland Baptist University. There, he worked under vocal professor Jeff Kensmoe.
“Mr. Kensmoe was an incredible operatic baritone,” Burge said. “He pushed me harder than I had ever worked before as a vocalist."
As a college student, Burge performed in the children’s opera "Little Red Riding Hood" and he participated in the international choir under Dr. Scott Harrington. He got the opportunity to travel to Hong Kong and Shenzhen, where he sang with the Hong Kong Baptist University as a featured soloist.
Life took an unexpected turn when he lost a close friend to suicide. This tragic event impacted his decision to step away from his studies. Kensmoe encouraged Burge to make the most of his talents.
"I accepted the challenge." Burge said.
He auditioned for “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” with the First Methodist Church in 2009, where he saw a different approach by director, John Packard. This was the first time Burge had seen an audition take place with all of the performers in the room at the same time.
“The director explained it was done that way so we could see all the talent,” said Burge. “It was intimidating, but everyone was so supportive and became one of my best experiences in big lead role. He saw my potential and helped me grow.”
Burge continued working with Packard and earned another role in “My Fair Lady” with the First Methodist Church the following year.
He was cast in Moonlight Musicals production of “Guys and Dolls” in 2011 directed by Gerald Dolter. His role in that show gave him the chance to grow as a dancer with choreographer Amy Cox.
“She set really advanced choreography for us, and I wasn't sure I could meet the expectation," said Burge.
During that production, he met Jeff Smith, who introduced him to Ballet Lubbock. This led to a four-year scholarship and further dance instruction from Yvonne Racz-Key. Burge had onstage roles in Ballet Lubbock productions such as “Sleeping Beauty,” "Peter and the Wolf,” “The Nutcracker” and “Cinderella.”
Burge studied voice with renowned tenor John Gillas, who taught David Gaschen and many other incredible vocalists.
"I grew the most vocally under his mentorship," said Burge.
He performed with Gillas in "The Civil War" at the Cactus Theater. Burge continued his involvement with Moonlight Musicals, where he met and fell in love with a castmate named Annie. The two are now married and still frequently share a stage.
"We performed together for a cabaret where I first heard her sing, and knew I wanted her to sing to me for the rest of my life," said Burge.
Over the years, Burge has performed in musicals, plays and cabarets at a variety of Texas and New Mexico venues. Favorite roles he has played have included Enjolras in "Les Miserables," Shrek in "Shrek: The Musical," "Quasimodo in "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" and most recently, George in "Sunday in the Park with George."
“I got to understudy David Gaschen in a collaboration with Texas Tech in 2017,” Burge said. “He graciously stepped aside and gave me the opportunity of a lifetime to step into the role of the Phantom for one night. It was a dream come true!”
He worked with Moonlight Musicals for 10 years, helping to develop and lead a high school performance troupe and helped to start the Moonlight Children's Theatre Program. In 2019, he co-founded Horizon School of the Arts, producing shows in partnership with Lubbock Community Theatre and The Wallace.
“A lot of our former students have earned their degrees in theatre or are they currently working as professional artists. Many have brought their skills and talents back to Lubbock as adults,” Burge said. “That’s what led to the formation of Roundtable Theatre Troupe. We now get to work with former students and other great members of our community. We just selected our first season of shows that will open with "Artemesia" by Lauren Gunderson. We are collaborating with the Historic Baker Building on a thrilling new Halloween immersive theatre experience and doing a Christmas variety show at the First Friday Art Trail in December. Plans are also in the works for our second musical. Get ready, Lubbock!"
His advice for young artists is to be resilient.
“You have to work for it,” said Burge.
He and Annie are both returning to Santa Fe Playhouse this summer for a production of “Something Rotten" under Artistic Director Anna Hogan, which opens July 10. It is his first professional contract with an equity house.
"This is the proof that if you work for it, dreams come true,” Burge said.
Purchase tickets at https://santafeplayhouse.org/events/something_rotten/.
Learn more about upcoming Roundtable Theatre Troupe productions on Facebook and Instagram.
