The Eras Tour has united two creative talents: choreographer Mandy Moore and producer Baz Halpin.

“We kind of just orbited around each other but just never worked together until this tour,” Moore explains via Zoom. “One day over lunch, while sitting on road cases munching on a peanut butter sandwich, he said, ‘Hey, I have a show in Vegas that needs some revamping. Would you be interested in joining us?'”

The Wynn Las Vegas show “Awakening” took a short break in early 2023 for a script rewrite and production upgrades, but they needed one thing: Moore’s unique flair.

Getting to Know Moore

Moore was raised in Breckenridge, Colorado, at the foot of the Rocky Mountains. She and her sister would create dance acts and fashion shows, entertaining their parents in the living room with their imaginative performances. Had TikTok been around in the ’80s, Moore would have dominated the social dance scene.

“My parents were incredibly patient; they watched many of my performances,” she recalls. “This was before I even started taking classes. Eventually, my mom said, ‘I need to get this kid into dance classes; she obviously has a passion for music.’

From twirling in her bedroom to gliding across the dance studio floor in her hometown, Moore explored various dance genres.

“I started with ballet and break dancing,” she shares. “The movements and structure of dance captivated me.”

Her big break occurred in 2005 on the popular show “So You Think You Can Dance?” where she began as a choreographer’s assistant in Season 1. By Season 3, she was choreographing dance numbers, and by Season 14, she became a creative producer. Moore showcased her talents across projects like “Glee,” “American Idol,” and “Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist.”

In 2016, she choreographed the Oscar-winning film “La La Land,” starring Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling. Stone introduced her to Taylor Swift, leading Moore to join the massive Eras Tour project.

As the concert evolved over its two-year run, Moore was frequently called to infuse her creativity into the approximately three-hour show. This included contributions to the latest song added to the tour finale in London — “Florida!!!”

And now, Moore’s imprint can be seen in the Vegas show.

Moore’s Awakening

Joining “Awakening” was a bold move for Moore. The show already had a narrative, performances, and choreography. She approached it with fresh perspectives, adhering to her motto: “Let’s just try.”

“I was able to dive deeper into the show, and it was such an exciting opportunity that came out of nowhere,” Moore remarks. “One of the most impressive aspects of the show is the combination of technology, visuals, artistic expression, and poetic storytelling through music.”

Moore was fortunate as many elements familiar from the Eras Tour made their way into the Vegas performance: levitating platforms, LED mesh screens forming the stage floor, abundant lighting, a captivating storyline for all ages, and a new danceable soundtrack. At one point, the stage splits into multiple levels, with dancers executing jumps and flips gracefully from heights of 10-20 feet above the ground.

“Much of my work with ‘Awakening’ revolved around grasping the essence we wanted to convey in every moment,” she explains. “I conducted extensive research, watching the performance numerous times. I analyze each song’s timing and continuously ask questions to understand Halpin’s and the team’s vision.”

Narrated by Anthony Hopkins, the “Awakening” story immerses the audience in a world where the protagonist, IO, strives to bring harmony to a realm split between darkness and light. As IO traverses vibrant, surreal landscapes, she discovers her true self. Amidst the stunning acrobatics, dance, and music, it’s clear that Moore’s signature touches are evident: compelling storytelling, unique movements, and balanced stage design.

More from Moore

Moore’s career spans Hollywood, Las Vegas, and, thanks to the Eras Tour, the world. So it’s no surprise that she has another dream destination in mind.

“Olympics! I want to choreograph the opening or closing ceremony!” she declares. “Just putting that out there.”

The Summer Games are scheduled to take place in Los Angeles in 2028.

You can experience “Awakening” at the Wynn Las Vegas. Performances are held from Friday to Tuesday.