goes a long way.”
Craig’s excitement for music was clearly visible even at four years of age. His enthusiasm and imagination to be part of the rhythms and melodies was always fun to watch and provided much entertainment. Lucky for Craig his home community had talented teachers in its midst and by five years old, had hooked up with two of these people. Gael Lear began the building blocks with Craig on the piano. Her patience and expertise made the piano one of Craig’s best friends and a tool that he would use over and over in the years to come. Janice Ballagh/McMichael of the McMichael Sisters, taught Craig how to set em up and put em down when it came to step dancing. Those foundations also would prove invaluable in the years to come.
Craig was instantly active in his music. He competed regularly at step dancing competitions in southwestern Ontario as a solo dancer. Craig was fortunate enough to be surrounded by a musical family. Forming a band with his dad and brother ended up being one of the best things that could have happened. It led to the beginning of it all. His first performance singing worked “Great Balls of Fire” in front of 1000 people at the age of 6 confirmed that performance was the road he would take.
Jacques Lemay, the artistic director at this point in time, of the Charlottetown Festival PEI, was looking for a young boy to play a leading role in a musical called “The Great Adventure”. Lemay had not yet found the boy he wanted for this role. Fortunately, a friend of his had just seen Craig sing at the Fergus Fall Fair. He was contacted, and before you knew it Craig was on his way to perform at the Confederation Centre of the Arts, playing one of the lead roles. Craig was 10 years old at this time. It was the summer of 92. This was the mark of his first professional experience. One that is still so vivid as if it happened yesterday. Upon returning to Ontario in the fall of 1992, Craig settled back into school. In 1993 Craig performed in “Gypsy” at The Stratford Festival Theatre and the following Christmas performed in “A Christmas Carroll” at the Grand in London.
Those years really set the stage. He worked hard and continuously at his singing, dancing and piano playing. Entering high school Craig became quickly involved with the drama program. Louanna Alexander, head of the drama department had the students stage such shows as “Guys and Dolls” and “Grease”, and various music theatre revues. Craig’s enthusiasm for music did not stop inside the school. He was constantly singing at weddings, and performing at local and charity functions. For six years he performed with “Soundsation” productions and as well acted as President of the organization for a year. Craig also formed the dance group “Rivanova” which pleased many audiences. During this time he was honored to accept a scholarship at the Kincardine Summer Jazz Week. In his last year of high school, he staged his own show “A Christmas Gift” at the Heritage Theatre in Wingham. The time at high school passed quickly and as Craig approached graduation he made the decision to pursue his music at college.
Craig auditioned and was accepted into Sheridan College’s Music Theatre Performance Program in the fall of 2000. There, Craig found the studying environment that he had only ever imagined. Craig was anxious to put some of his new skills and his hard work to use and in the spring of 2001 he staged his own show “Good Times” at the Blyth Festival Theatre. Continuing through the first year, he was fortunate to land a summer gig with Canada’s Wonderland.
The years at Sheridan continued. Having the opportunity to learn from such talented mentors was the best part. The years there seem to fly by, and all of sudden it was time to graduate. His third year show was “Crazy for You” and Craig was fortunate enough to land the role of Bobby Child. Also the recipient of the triple threat award upon graduation, he was ready to head into the real world.
Craig has worked continuously since he left: back to Charlottetown for two seasons, landing a part in Mamma Mia, singing on ships with Royal Caribbean for two years, back east to Neptune Theatre in Halifax for their productions of, “White Christmas” and, “The Producers”, to the country working for Drayton Entertainment, out west in a production of “Forever Plaid” which is a show Craig has wanted to do since he saw at the age of 9, and to the present time returning to the Charlottetown Festival for their 2010 season. A complete circle.
Music is my life, my passion. This is what I dreamed of doing from the age of 6. I’m so fortunate to do what I love.