CASEY ADAM CRAIG

CASEY is a DIRECTOR / CHOREOGRAPHER / ARTS EDUCATOR based out of Seattle, WA. He holds a BA in Dance from the University of Washington and an MFA in Theatre Arts, Musical Theatre from San Diego State University. Casey has taught, directed, choreographed and been a guest speaker for several arts organizations throughout the West Coast most recently working with San Diego State University, Village Theatre, Central Washington University, The Northwest Voice Conference, and the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival. Select direction and choreography credits include Bye Bye Birdie (Leavenworth Summer Theatre), The Little Mermaid (Bigfork Summer Playhouse), Chicago (Central Washington University) and Tarzan (Village Theatre SummerStock). 
 

As a PERFORMER, Casey has had the opportunity to work with Broadway and film legends including Ann Reinking and Ron Tassone, as well as worked on multiple new works including Michael Rupert’s Streets of America (directed by Scott Wise) - where he appears on the 2007 cast recording. Casey has also worked extensively with STILETTO Entertainment as a Lead Vocalist/Dancer in production shows created by Patti Colombo and John Charron for Holland America Cruise Lines. Select performance credits include West Side Story (Baby John, 5th Avenue Theatre - 50th anniversary production), Zanna Don't! (Zanna, Contemporary Classics), Hello Dolly (Barnaby, Village Theatre) and The Music Man (Tommy, ART). 

 

Casey’s current RESEARCH in social and emotional learning explores the normalization of emotion discussion, and mindfulness in the performing arts classroom. When applied in the classroom, social and emotional learning principles help students gain empathy skills through intentional activities that allow students to share their culture and life experience. Social and emotional learning principles also give educators tools in which to begin decolonizing the classroom - diversifying materials, supporting empowerment, involving students in curriculum creation, and finding diverse ways of assessment that recognize knowledge. In cultivating emotion-based discoveries, educators send thoughtful performers into the professional arena - performers with a deeper understanding of empathy, and strengthened coping and mindfulness skills.

Casey is currently the  Associate Director of Youth Education for VILLAGE THEATRE - a regional theatre based in Issaquah, Washington. He also serves on the board of AT THE RIDGE THEATRE (ART), which provides quality musical theatre to Kent, Wa and the surrounding community. ART is designed to function as a collaborative effort between educators, students, families, theatre supporters, local business and civic groups. ART's goal is to provide students from across geographic and socio-economic regions of the Kent School District with arts education, and exposure to musical theatre.