On Wednesday, October 30, Peyton Womock and friends shook the Buskirk-Chumley Theater with proclamations of love, wonder and truth. The Experience (“not a show!” Womock proclaimed) includes a blend of multiple artistic expressions, such as live song, dance, spoken word poetry, choreography and live painting.
The Experience showcases multiple artistic disciplines and navigates a wide array of emotions and feelings throughout diverse performances. Each member of Womock’s entourage has their solo act, ranging from bright vocal performances full of love and joy to spoken word showcasing navigating feelings of self-doubt and hopelessness. Each performance builds onto the last, with all the performers working together to tell one shared story of self-love and compassion.
“The common denominator between everybody is that we love what we’re doing, and we’re all committed to bringing Peyton's vision to life,” said Kimèon “Pinko” Sumler, drummer for The Experience.
“I learned so much from them by simply watching, by making mistakes, being a sponge, enjoying their crafts and building my own. Each person poured knowledge and reassurance into the next,” N.E.L., rap artist for The Experience, explained.
Through each performance, viewers are taken through the harrowing multitudes of human emotion, serving as a vibrant microcosm of the human experience. “The overarching theme of The Experience is self-love,” Womock explained. “While self-love is sometimes misunderstood as narcissistic, I believe that when practiced in a healthy way, it’s anything but. Loving yourself is essential—it’s what empowers you to turn your dreams and goals into realities.”
To further immerse the audience in The Experience’s musical journey, Womock and friends include viewers in the performances, considering the audience an extension of the stage. “Art should transcend the traditional boundaries, breaking the fourth wall so the audience becomes more than spectators—they become active participants,” Womock said. “When art reaches that level of connectivity it creates moments that inspire, evoke emotions and leave people with something to believe in.”
During one performance, Womock had the audience shouting, “I love myself!” to themselves, reminding viewers to practice radical self-love no matter the circumstances. During one dance performance, the audience was tasked with dancing along to their best ability (and willingness). The theater was filled with couples, families and friends crafting bespoke dance routines.
Every dollar from each ticket purchased was donated to Camp S.O.U.L., a pre-college summer camp hosted at IU that immerses students in African American musical artistry while helping them form connections with music professionals, faculty members, and professors.
“Camp S.O.U.L was one of the first programs to believe in me and give me a chance to grow,” Womock explained. “I’ll never be able to fully repay the African American Arts Institute for the impact it has had on me and my artistic career. I still remember through my youth, feeling so inspired after participating in the program. It showed me that my goals—both in music and beyond—weren’t just distant dreams but achievable realities waiting for me to claim them.”
“Peyton is awesome to work with,” said Mike Needler, guitarist for The Experience. “We've talked a lot about what it takes to succeed, and he's doing it before our eyes. He's got a vision and nothing and no one will stand in his way!”
Ultimately, Womock hopes The Experience can unite others in the name of art and music. “In a time when the world feels more divided than ever, creating a space that fosters unity across genres, art forms and individuals feels essential. It’s not just about showcasing talent; it’s about bringing people together through shared creativity and connection.
Sumler said it best, “We laughed, we loved, we cried, we created.”