PAYTON

Payton McCarty began dancing at the age of 3, training extensively at the Atlanta Jazz Theatre with a focus on tap, jazz, ballet, and musical theatre. While attending the University of Georgia, she continued her dance training with the UGA Tap Dawgs, UGA Dance Department, and Dancefx, Inc. She graduated in 2010 with a degree in Child and Family Development. Throughout her career, she has performed, directed, and taught at various churches, schools, and community organizations both overseas and in the Athens and Atlanta areas.

Notably, Payton served as the Managing Director for Dancefx Atlanta for 8 years, directed the Xtensity Performance Company and Soundfx Musical Theatre Company, and also choreographed numerous school musical productions. She is passionate about using dance as a form of storytelling and loves helping people find joy in self-expression through dance.

Beyond the dance studio, Payton is an assistant director of a live production team that trains and equips individuals in lighting design, live audio, and live video broadcast. She also works to merge her dance and live production experience to tell the stories of those affected by injustice.