There’s No Business Like Show Business: Sewanee Alum Stars in Touring Broadway Show
Featured photo courtesy of The Phantom of the Opera: North American Tour
From a very young age, Jordan Craig knew that he was destined to be on the stage the rest of his life. Craig started his acting career when he was just six years old in a community production of Peter Pan. After seeing the talent the young Craig possessed, a friend of his mother’s suggested that he audition for the Houston Children’s Chorus. The rest was history.
When Craig attended Sewanee: The University of the South, he found a place where his passion for the theater could continue flourish: Lambda Chi Alpha. Many of the members were also fellow theater majors, and Craig described it as place of support.
Though Craig has built a very impressive acting career for himself, he says being a part of the current touring production of The Phantom of the Opera has by far been the most challenging but also the most rewarding experience.
“I’ve done some amazing work over the years, the shows have been really special,” said Craig. “I’ve been part of some really cool stuff; this show [The Phantom of the Opera] in particular, being the most recognizable show on the planet, it’s been a blessing to be a part of it, to work with Andrew Lloyd Webber…and some of the biggest names in theater and to have them as your bosses.”
Craig joined the tour about two years ago, starting in the ensemble as the understudy for one of the main characters, Raoul. Now, Craig is headlining as Raoul and says he is able to work with some of the most talented people in the business. Every day at work is like Christmas, he says.
With the touring life, Craig and the rest of the cast move cities about every two weeks. Craig assures that it is an exhilarating experience, but also one that is kind of terrifying.
“When you have to uproot and travel to a new city, it’s weird that just changing your surroundings, it feels like you starting your entire life over again.
“The challenge has been to make change the new routine. It’s actually a good lesson for life: I know that every two weeks my life is going to change, so that actually becomes the routine,” said Craig.
While it might seem like a scary concept to be in a new city every few weeks, Craig says that he has really learned to embrace the positive side of the travel.
“It’s also incredibly rewarding to travel like that because what you get to see is how different people are,” said Craig. “In every corner of the country, people are so different; you get to see why people think differently.”
Throughout the many shows he has been a part of in his career, and especially The Phantom of the Opera, Craig says that one thing from his Lambda Chi Alpha experience sticks with him: personal responsibility.
“It carries over into every nook and cranny of your life, but especially in the theater where timeliness is so important, and you are the only person that does your job,” affirmed Craig.
To all brothers, Craig stresses this lesson, but also reminds them to find their passion. Once they find their passion, they’ve won.
“If you can trick someone into paying you for something you would do for free, you’ve won and no one can take that joy away from you,” stated Craig.
Craig has found his passion in the concert halls and the stages he performs on every day, and he urges all other Lambda Chis to continue searching until they find their passion as well.
And to brothers whose city the show might be passing through, Craig offers an invitation to meet him at the stage door, if only to say hello and share the bond of brotherhood.
To see where The Phantom of the Opera will be playing next, click here.
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