Craig North
It is with great sadness that I write to tell you about the passing of my dear friend Craig North. Craig died on June 27, 2006 after battling AIDS for 11 years. Craig was a director, chor-eographer, dancer, teacher and writer who loved life and lived every moment to the fullest!
Craig knew from a very early age that he wanted to be a dancer. He studied dance, choreography and education at SUNY Geneseo. After college Craig began performing in musicals and became a member of the professional actor's union, Actors' Equity Association. He then went on to direct and choreograph at many theatres across the US and Canada starting with the Merry-Go-Round Theatre in Auburn, NY in 1978. Over the years he worked many times at Downtown Cabaret Theatre in Bridgeport, CT, Mill Mountain Theatre in Roanoke, VA, Gateway Playhouse in Bellport, NY and at the Skylight Opera Theatre in Milwaukee, WI.
He was the Artistic Director for Music Theatre North on the SUNY Potsdam College Campus in upstate NY for 10 years. While there he directed and choreographed more than 30 productions. He occasionally performed leading roles in productions there as well.
Craig taught as an adjunct faculty member at Wagner College on Staten Island for 10 years, teaching dance composition, dance history, musical theatre seminars, and all levels of dance technique. He also directed and choreographed many of the main stage productions during those 10 years. He founded the annual dance concert at Wagner College which is still being produced each year.
He received many awards for his direction and choreography including The ACT Young Artist Award, two Staten Island Register Awards, The NY Backstage Bistro Award for the Off-Broadway production of "Party of One", The Connecticut Critics Circle Award for Best Choreography for "42nd Street" and "My One and Only" at the Downtown Cabaret Theatre and The Anna Award for Best Director of a Musical for "Fiddler on the Roof" at Mill Mountain Theatre.
One of Craig's most impassioned projects was a piece that he conceived, directed and choreographed called "Gathering Stones, dances for Endangered Species." This was a piece based on Native American beliefs that expressed Craig's strong feelings about stewardship of our planet Mother Earth. Gathering Stones was performed at NY College of Technology in Brooklyn, at Mill Mountain Theatre in conjunction with the Roanoke Ballet Company as a part of the new works festival, and at the Amber Perkins School of the Arts in Norwich, NY. He wrote the following as a dedication in the program for Gathering Stones: "As you gather your stones (examining life's lessons / giving thanks for blessings) I wish you peace, and a little spontaneous ritual, to help make your days and nights on earth more magical and meaningful."
Craig loved to teach! He taught dance at many dance schools in the NY/CT area. He was invited to be a master teacher and adjudicator for several renowned dance competitions including American Dance Awards, Showstoppers International and Dance Masters of America. He traveled to major cities across the U.S. and Canada, inspiring and touching the lives of all dancers, both young and old, who were fortunate enough to be in one of his classes. ADA is now awarding their Young Choreographers Award in Craig's name each year at their National Convention.
Although the disease that was ravaging Craig's body eventually made it impossible for him to continue teaching dance physically, his mind was sharp, his passion for dance unwavering and he still had so much more that he wanted to share about dance education. Because of his great knowledge of dance, and his reputation, several dance publications asked him to continue teaching dance through his written word, in articles that were published in their magazines, giving Craig a voice to continue teaching even if his body had now betrayed him.
Craig North, an impeccable performer, dancer, choreographer. A pioneer of dance in his own right, he lived EVERY moment to the fullest, forever seeing the good in all people and all situations, never giving up, fighting to the end to hold onto this life that he loved so dearly. His spirit and his infectious smile will be missed by all that knew him.
There will be a memorial for Craig on January 25th, 2007 at 7:00PM at the Gerald W. Lynch Theatre at John Jay College located at 899 10th Avenue (between 58th & 59th Streets), NY, NY 10019. (For information contact Cindy Knight at cindynight@aol.com)
Donations to the ACTORS' FUND OF AMERICA can be made on behalf of Craig North at:
The Actors' Fund of America
729 Seventh Avenue
New York, NY 10019