Craig Slaight
Encyclopedia
Craig Slaight is an American director and author. He is currently the director of the Young Conservatory at A.C.T. (American Conservatory Theater
) in San Francisco, California
. In 1989 he created the "New Plays" program to develop new stage plays that showed the world through the voice of the young. Mr. Slaight's feeling was that there was a shortage and a need for contemporary work by professional renowned playwrights that spoke to and about the young actor. He sought out work class playwrights and commissioned them to create new work. The playwrights would develop these plays at A.C.T. and the students would be part of the shaping process. As of 2006 there have been dozens of plays and four anthologies published and available to young actors worldwide. In 1999 Craig commissioned playwright Timothy Mason to write "Time on Fire" which was the first production by a young American company to ever play the National Theatre in London. In 1994 Craig received the President's Award from the Educational Theater Association for outstanding contributions to youth theater.
In addition to the New Plays series, Craig has published, along with Jack Sharrar, ten acting and play anthologies for young actors through Smith and Kraus one of the nation's leading play services.
Craig graduated from Central Michigan University
and taught high school at Morley-Stanwood High School for several years before moving out to Los Angeles, California
with his actor brother Brad Slaight
. While in Los Angeles
, Craig worked at the prestigious Mark Taper Forum
, the Los Angeles Actor's Theatre, and Theater 40 in Beverly Hills. He won critical praise and acclaim for his many directing projects. He directed such notable actors as Linda Purl
, Betty Garrett
, Harold Gould
, and Robert Foxworth
. He accepted his current position at A.C. T. in 1988 and now resides in San Francisco.
his brother's website
San Francisco Publication
Book Publisher
American Conservatory Theater
American Conservatory Theater is a large non-profit theater company in San Francisco, California, that offers both classical and contemporary theater productions. A.C.T. was founded in 1965 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in conjunction with the Pittsburgh Playhouse and Carnegie Tech by theatre and...
) in San Francisco, California
San Francisco, California
San Francisco , officially the City and County of San Francisco, is the financial, cultural, and transportation center of the San Francisco Bay Area, a region of 7.15 million people which includes San Jose and Oakland...
. In 1989 he created the "New Plays" program to develop new stage plays that showed the world through the voice of the young. Mr. Slaight's feeling was that there was a shortage and a need for contemporary work by professional renowned playwrights that spoke to and about the young actor. He sought out work class playwrights and commissioned them to create new work. The playwrights would develop these plays at A.C.T. and the students would be part of the shaping process. As of 2006 there have been dozens of plays and four anthologies published and available to young actors worldwide. In 1999 Craig commissioned playwright Timothy Mason to write "Time on Fire" which was the first production by a young American company to ever play the National Theatre in London. In 1994 Craig received the President's Award from the Educational Theater Association for outstanding contributions to youth theater.
In addition to the New Plays series, Craig has published, along with Jack Sharrar, ten acting and play anthologies for young actors through Smith and Kraus one of the nation's leading play services.
Craig graduated from Central Michigan University
Central Michigan University
Central Michigan University is a public research university located in Mount Pleasant in the U.S. state of Michigan...
and taught high school at Morley-Stanwood High School for several years before moving out to Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
with his actor brother Brad Slaight
Brad Slaight
Brad Slaight is an American actor, standup comedian and writer. According to his website he has appeared on many television shows and films including a starring role on The Young and the Restless Some of his other credits from the IMDB are That's Funny, Love Chronicles,Second Cousin, Once...
. While in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, Craig worked at the prestigious Mark Taper Forum
Mark Taper Forum
The Mark Taper Forum is a 739 seat thrust stage at the Los Angeles Music Center built by Welton Becket and Associates on the Bunker Hill section of downtown Los Angeles...
, the Los Angeles Actor's Theatre, and Theater 40 in Beverly Hills. He won critical praise and acclaim for his many directing projects. He directed such notable actors as Linda Purl
Linda Purl
Linda Purl is an American actress and singer, perhaps best known for portraying Ben Matlock's daughter Charlene Matlock in season one of Matlock.-Early life and education abroad:...
, Betty Garrett
Betty Garrett
Betty Garrett was an American actress, comedienne, singer and dancer who originally performed on Broadway before being signed to a film contract with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer...
, Harold Gould
Harold Gould
Harold V. Goldstein , best known by his stage name Harold Gould, was an American actor best known for playing Martin Morgenstern in the 1970s sitcoms Rhoda and The Mary Tyler Moore Show and as Miles Webber in The Golden Girls...
, and Robert Foxworth
Robert Foxworth
Robert Heath Foxworth is an American film, stage and television actor.-Early life and career:Foxworth was born in Houston, Texas, the son of Erna Beth , a writer, and John Howard Foxworth, a roofing contractor...
. He accepted his current position at A.C. T. in 1988 and now resides in San Francisco.
Trivia
- Grew up in Cedar Springs, MichiganCedar Springs, MichiganCedar Springs is a city in Kent County in the U.S. state of Michigan, 20 minutes north of Grand Rapids. Known as "Red Flannel Town", the city is home to an annual Red Flannel Festival...
and while on summer break from college he created the Cedar Springs Community Players, which is still in existence today.
- Left teaching and drove out to CaliforniaCaliforniaCalifornia is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
with his brother, Brad SlaightBrad SlaightBrad Slaight is an American actor, standup comedian and writer. According to his website he has appeared on many television shows and films including a starring role on The Young and the Restless Some of his other credits from the IMDB are That's Funny, Love Chronicles,Second Cousin, Once...
, who also left his teaching position, to pursue a career in professional show business.
- Was on the faculty at The Los Angeles School for the Arts
- Middle name is Richard, after his father Richard Slaight.
- Makes frequent trips to Europe and has formed a professional relationship with several European schools for young actors.
Sources
American Conservatory Theaterhis brother's website
San Francisco Publication
Book Publisher