Newcomer loves life on national tour of Stomp, stopping in Wichita on Wednesday

When Khalil Louigene and the rest of the company of Stomp steps onto the stage at Century II on Wednesday night, it comes after two years of training.

That started with an intense, bootcamp-style orientation.

“It was about five weeks of us, nonstop, learning the show, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday,” Louigene recalled from a tour stop in New Bedford, Mass. “It definitely felt like boot camp, but also like regular camp. We came together and fellowshipped and became close with the cast that was teaching us.

“We were all worn out too, but it was an awesome experience, and it created a family,” he added.

The history of the 3 ½-decade old performance phenomenon is impressed upon the new recruits as much as the performance.

“Trainees were talking about their past groups and how each generation brings something different,” Louigene said. “There’s a whole, long legacy that’s brought up, especially when Luke (Cresswell), our creator, comes in and talks about all the things that have changed about the show till it moves into what it is now.”

Stomp was created by Cresswell and Steve McNicholas in 1991, using everyday objects to create rhythm and movement. It premiered in London and ran on Broadway from 1994 to 2022.

The performances have evolved in 35 years, Louigene said.

“At first Luke Cresswell and Steve McNicholas were just playing around. It was a lot more reminiscent of bucket drumming and how it started and there was a lot of room for improv. And it still is — actually, that’s what makes this show so amazing and fun to perform every single time we do it,” he said.

Louigene auditioned for Stomp not long after earning his theater degree from Montclair State University in his native New Jersey.

A friend knew that Louigene had been a performance stepper in high school and encouraged him to audition for Stomp with him. They were both cast.

He remembers seeing ads for Stomp on TV as a kid, but didn’t think he could do it until his friend’s urging.

“I had heard of Stomp and never thought much to do it, but here I am, and I’m very grateful and excited to be here,” he said. “I did my research and I fell in love.”

The company travels with a dozen performers, eight of whom are on stage at a time.

There’s an international company, which was in Italy at the time of the Eagle interview, and an American company, which Louigene began touring with in November.

Louigene said likes life on tour.

“I feel very blessed to be in this business, especially just coming out of college,” he said. “It’s an awesome life. I feel like I’ve grown to have such an amazing family here with the cast and the crew.”

STOMP, BY BROADWAY IN WICHITA

When: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 4

Where: Century II concert hall, 225 W. Douglas

Tickets: $61-$114, from century2.com, the Century II box office or 316-755-7328