While many of us still struggle trying to discover our true calling in life, Chris Payne Dupre knew at a young age exactly what he wanted to do. He wanted to work in entertainment, and nothing would stray him from this destiny. “I believe that the script has already been written, and all I have to do is show up. In the times that I didn’t show up, the opportunity passed me by.”

This Los Angeles native has shared the stage with a range of stars, including Diana Ross, Janet Jackson, Prince, Brian McKnight, Sean “P Diddy” Combs, and Kylie Minogue, and he has performed as part of the original Broadway cast of Elton John and Tim Rice’s Aida. In touring the world and teaching various levels of dance workshops for all ages, he has trained an impressive number of dancers including dancers, choreographers, and judges of So You Think You Can Dance.  Chris chats with Mateo Magazine about his former role as Supervising Choreographer on America’s Got Talent and his undeniable attraction to the world of entertainment.

“This job is a beast. It has been completely different from any other job. It’s equally as much paperwork as it is choreography. I prepared the acts for camera which ranged from magicians, to BMX riders, to a ton of variety acts. I feel like a proud parent when I see them on stage.” In teaching the contestants camera positioning and the singers how to evoke emotion through movement, Chris creates through inspirations from life, art, and the dream world. “Sometimes [an idea] will spark from emotion, and sometimes I can see curtains blowing, and it gives me an inspiration for an arm. I don’t create it—it just happens, and then it comes through me.”

Carrying out the creative vision of the show’s consulting producer, Brian Friedman, Payne executes seamlessly. “We get them camera ready.” With the demands of a job in which associate choreographers are coming in every week, piles of paperwork and contracts are being scrutinized, and designated call times are vigorously scheduled, Chris handles it all with ease and remains incredibly grateful. “It’s a blessing,” he wholeheartedly shares. “You never know who out of those crazy casts of characters is going to take home the million.”

With a long list of credits and his eyes on the prize, Chris, like many of us, faced his own challenges and mishaps on his path to success. “I grew up with a single parent and had to become an adult really quickly. I would go to auditions and see other kids with their parents while I was there all by myself trying to figure it all out.” Despite this, Chris didn’t allow anything to distract him from what he wanted.

Not afraid to show that even the best make mistakes on their climb to the top, when asked about the one job that he wishes he could do over again, Dupre laughs and replies, “There are two that stick out in my head when I was the dancer, not the choreographer. I’ve messed up in two different pieces of choreography, and it haunts me to this day. I can’t go back and fix those two mistakes, so I try to let it go.”

“I’m a director—that’s where I tend to excel, in dreaming up a concept and making it come to life.”  Dupre is the producer, director, and choreographer for his own company True Vision Entertainment, which consists of a brilliant team.  (www.truevisionentertainment.com)

“My advice to Mateo readers is that it’s all about preparation and opportunity. Stay focused, and never give up on your dream. To give you a quote: ‘Amateurs rehearse till they get it right. Professionals rehearse till they can’t get it wrong.’”

Is there an ultimate dream job for Chris Payne Dupre?  “I don’t have a dream job anymore that I’m still trying to achieve. And if it’s already scripted…then one thing I’ll do is show up.”