Payton Primer is originally from Dallas, Texas, where she trained at Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts (BTWHSPVA). In her senior year, Payton was named a 2018 Winner in Contemporary/Modern Dance by the National YoungArts Foundation. Payton additionally worked with Dallas Black Dance Theater as an Administrative Arts Intern. While at BTWHSPVA, Payton performed works by Lar Lubovitch, Peter Chu, Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, Penny Saunders, Francisco Gella, and Takehiro Ueyama. During the summers, she studied at intensives such as b12 Workshop Festival in Berlin, Paul Taylor American Modern Dance, The Martha Graham School, The Ailey School, and Mejia Ballet International. Payton graduated summa cum laude from Fordham University/The Ailey School with three degrees: BFA in Dance, Anthropology, and International Studies with a concentration in Global Affairs. As a student at The Ailey School, Payton had the opportunity to perform works by Robert Battle, Helen Simoneau, Ethan Colangelo, Yusha-Marie Sorzano, Ray Mercer, and Thang Dao. Payton currently apprentices with Jon Lehrer Dance Company. This is Payton’s first season with Alison Cook Beatty Dance.