EP 97: Jordan Craig - International Opera & Musical Theatre Performer on You Booked It podcast!
EP 97: Jordan Craig (autogenerated)
[00:00:00] Dane Reis: [00:00:00] you booked it, episode 97.
[00:00:04] All right. Let’s get started. I am excited to introduce my guest today. Jordan Craig. Are you ready for this Jordan?
[00:00:13]Jordan Craig: [00:00:13] I am ready, Dane. Let’s do
[00:00:15] Dane Reis: [00:00:15] All right. Jordan isn’t international performer of opera and musical theater living in New York city. Most recently he started as raw wool in the Broadway tour of the Phantom of the opera. a native of Houston, Texas Jordan got his start performing at the world, renowned Houston, grand opera in such productions as Tosca, Billy Budd and Carmen.
[00:00:39] He has also performed at the Alliance theater in Atlanta, Georgia, the Jeep, a theater center in Rochester, New York, and many others. Jordan. That is a quick intro of who you are and what you’ve done. But why don’t you tell us a little bit more about yourself, feeling the gaps, who you are, and a little bit more about what you do as a professional in the entertainment industry.
[00:01:03]Jordan Craig: [00:01:03] Well, Well, that’s about it. Dana, let’s wrap it up. No, I’m just kidding. Um, it is a.
[00:01:08] , uh, you know, uh, I’m a native of Houston, Texas. Born and raised there. Um, and, uh, you know, I, I I’ve been acting professionally since I was a child, uh, Houston grand opera, the, uh, uh, Tony award winning alley theater. And. A few others and ended up, uh, going to the university of the South in Suwanee, Tennessee, where I got a degree in English and theater moved to Atlanta, Georgia.
[00:01:29]Uh, that’s where I started working as a professional adult. I got my equity card there at the, uh, at the Alliance theatre. Uh, one of the, one of the great theaters of the South and one of the great theaters in the country and, um, ended up moving to New York after that. And I’ve been working here ever since, since.
[00:01:44]Oh 2014, I think. So I’ve been living here ever since then. Uh, of course a large chunk of that time. Actually, I wasn’t living here. I was on the road with the Phantom of the opera. Uh, playing Raul Vicom to Shawnee. And we finished that right before the craziness of the pandemic in February. So we actually, we were at one of those tours that ended sort of organically.
[00:02:10] Before a lot of people got, you know, CA you. A lot of tours got canned, you know, like right after that. So a lot of things had to slow down, but we actually ended organically. We were lucky enough to do that. Um, right before the pandemic hit.
[00:02:21]Dane Reis: [00:02:21] Right on.
[00:02:22]Jordan Craig: [00:02:22] I mean, I mean, that was so lucky in that it literally takes you right up to the present day. So there you go.
[00:02:26]Dane Reis: [00:02:26] all right. And let’s move on to this next section here in Jordan. Look, I am a sucker for a good quote. What is your favorite quote? You’d like to share with everyone?
[00:02:37]Jordan Craig: [00:02:37] it’s one of those quotes that I think I saw, like on.
[00:02:41]My teacher, like one of those posters in your classroom when you’re in third grade that like sticks with you.
[00:02:46] And it was like, it had like a basketball goal and it’s one of those super cliche quotes. Okay. And it’s you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take, right?
[00:02:55] And that. Okay.
[00:02:57] So like
[00:02:58] Dane Reis: [00:02:58] Gretzky, Wayne Gretzky.
[00:02:59]I don’t know, it’s one of the two.
[00:03:00] Jordan Craig: [00:03:00] One of the guys, they all, you know, they were all shot takers. Okay. like, you know, They both apply there. , but, you know, it’s, so it’s funny. It’s like you get those auditions sometimes that come to you. Uh, like in the worst times, right? You’re like doing something with your family. You’re like off on a vacation or you’re doing something your agent’s like, like, Hey, I know you’re doing something, but you’ve got an audition for a movie ending, need it. Like tomorrow.
[00:03:25] And you, you like, . No, I don’t want to do that. I really don’t , why don’t you give me those when I’m, you know, , in New York, ready to go, ready to audition, but you know, it always happens when, you know, when you least expect it or when there’s a whole bunch of things going on it. And I think there’s a lot of temptation to not.
[00:03:39] To just like, kind of like, kind of blow off a lot of opportunities, at least for me. You know, maybe there are some actors that are like, so gung ho that they’re just like, all right. right. Yeah. You know, my wife’s giving, you know, she’s in labor right now, but I got to read the self-tape. Uh, but like for me, it’s like, you know, I, I kinda.
[00:03:53] I’m like, you know, if I’m off doing something and I just booked a movie because I took some time and I just was like, okay guys, I gotta separate. And I got to do this self tape real quick. Um, and I was in California and, you know, families at the beach and we, we ended up doing a self tape and I booked the movie and I wouldn’t have booked it, you know? you know? So it’s like, and I know for sure, obviously I wouldn’t have booked it if I hadn’t taken the time. So it’s one of those cliche quotes, but I think as an actor, like.
[00:04:17] For me, it, it certainly impacts my life because every time , you know, you do, um, you do reap the rewards for the work you put into this business. For sure.
[00:04:24] Dane Reis: [00:04:24] Hundred percent. . And you’re right. I don’t think you’re abnormal and thinking, Hey, I’m on vacation. I don’t want to do that right now. And I’ve just been sitting at home, not really auditioning for a week. So why couldn’t have I done that? Then.
[00:04:39]Jordan Craig: [00:04:39] right. Like, why can’t you just know when I’m not doing anything and just give me the audition then?
[00:04:43] Dane Reis: [00:04:43] Just be in tuned with my life, please.
[00:04:46] Jordan Craig: [00:04:46] But it’s, it’s like one of those that it’s like, it’s such a cliche, but then I, you know, I think, you know, That little piece of advice has gotten me further in life. Uh, I think than any other, for
[00:04:56] Dane Reis: [00:04:56] Absolutely. Absolutely. And you, you gotta do it cause you never know what’s gonna happen. Right. You have to put yourself out there all the
[00:05:01] Jordan Craig: [00:05:01] It’s so true. Yup.
[00:05:03] Dane Reis: [00:05:03] Beautiful. Well, let’s move on to this section and Jordan, of course you are an entertainer. I am an entertainer. And I think that you would agree that this industry can be one of the most brutally honest, subjective, personally, emotional industries in existence. And you know, you know, as well as I, that in order to create and have a successful career in this industry, like you’re having now takes a lot of dedication and hard work. And while yeah, there is an Adjusts
[00:05:33] amount of fun and excitement doing what we do being on stage. There are also our fair share of obstacles, challenges, and failures. We are going to experience and we’re going to have to move forward through. So tell us, what is one key challenge, obstacle or failure you’ve experienced in your career and how did you come out the other side better because of it.
[00:05:55]Jordan Craig: [00:05:55] for me, my, my biggest obstacle is, uh, and it was for many, many years was auditioning anxiety. And I think it’s something we don’t talk about enough. Um, You know, it’s such a, it’s such a toxic force and, um, uh, it’s uh, I’ll tell you a story. I had. This is, uh, this is, I’m not going to name any names cause I don’t want to get anybody in trouble, but, uh, , um,
[00:06:17] Uh, I was fresh off the boat from Atlanta. Okay. I’d moved to New York from Atlanta, Georgia. I was in my first audition. I can’t even, I can’t even say the show because it gives away who was in the room, so, . I was auditioning for a Broadway show. My first Broadway audition. And I, uh, in Atlanta, the audition scene is a little bit difference. Very, it’s not that new York’s audition scene. Isn’t friendly, but it’s a little more, you know, you know, there’s a distance there between you and the casting team. Usually at first.
[00:06:48] You don’t really like. Necessarily shake hands until further along in the process. Whereas in the South, it’s a very sort of, Hey, how you doing kind of thing right from the get go and a lot of the audition rooms. So I walked into this Broadway audition. I walked right up to the table where everybody was sitting.
[00:07:04] And I was like, hi, how you doing? I’m I’m Jordan Craig. It’s nice to meet you. And the casting director looked right up at me in front of everyone. It’s like like do not approach the table. And I literally felt like I was like punched in the gut. I was like, what? She was like, do not approach the table. And I said,
[00:07:24]Okay, but I’m like, I’m thinking like, but I’m here. My hand is outstretched in a gesture of friendship to you. Can we please exchange pleasantries so that I don’t look like a complete, you know, buffoon and, um, no, no, um, no, no, no. There was no outstretched hand returned. I then had to about face in front of the room and walk.
[00:07:46] Back to my place where I turned and began to sing something that I can’t even remember because my whole world was shattered. So, and after that I had a crippling. Auditioning anxiety for years after that. Until, uh, very recently, um, I was in a, um, I went to another Broadway audition and it was the first time I’ve seen this casting director in a long time and I was nervous about it.
[00:08:12]And I killed the audition and she wrote my agent and told me how, um, how impressed she was. And I felt so vindicated, but it took a lot of. Mental preparation to go into that room again, because it was like I’m facing, I’m facing a monster like this. You know what I mean? Facing the dragon , um, , uh, but it ended up being one of those things, you know, you know, we grow is artists that we can learn and, um, and, , you know,
[00:08:37] I think it could’ve just as easily been, you know, me being so unused to the New York way of, of how people deal. They’re very matter of fact, no P. People in New York had this like, Um, there’s a misconception that they’re rude and they’re not, you know what I mean? Do you get that? It’s like, they’re just very matter of fact. And like everything’s on a time schedule, everything’s on a schedule. So if you just like, sort of like like, sort of like get with that, like.
[00:09:00] Everyone’s really cool with you, but if you’re, if you throw a wrench into the whole thing, then people are like, what? Uh, I don’t know what’s happening. And then you can have incidents like where they’re like, please step away from the table. Um, so, you know, um, but anyway, I had an audition anxiety for a long, long, long, long, long, long, long time.
[00:09:15] And, um, , uh, I think a lot of people do for various reasons, but, you know, I think one of the, one of the biggest keys that people need to realize is that they are enough. Everything inside of them, that they have is wonderful and is worth sharing. And, um, to just keep, just keep, just keep going, because someone’s going to see that in you eventually.
[00:09:34]Dane Reis: [00:09:34] Yeah, absolutely. That is so true. And. That is a terrifying, but looking back on it now, I’m sure kind of comical experience. And. But. You’re right. And there’s so much to be said about knowing your market. And sometimes you just don’t know until you give it a go. And hopefully a podcast like this can give a little bit insight for people that are, you know, stepping into New York city for the first time coming from some other market. But yeah, every, every city, every market has its own quirks. It’s own expectation at an audition. And.
[00:10:08] Trying to get , a little heads up of what that is is can be invaluable in your career.
[00:10:13]Jordan Craig: [00:10:13] I think you nailed that. Yes. 100%.
[00:10:16]Dane Reis: [00:10:16] Great. And let’s move on to a time that I like to call your. Spotlight moment. That one moment in time you realized, yes, I am going to be an entertainer for living or maybe it was, yes. This is what I need to be doing as an entertainer. Tell us about that.
[00:10:39]Jordan Craig: [00:10:39] Oh man. There’s, kind of two answers. I I’m one of those people, I’ve always known that this is what I wanted to do. Dane. I’ve always known it ever since I was, I mean, my, my parents tell me that I even, you know, at five years old, this is what I wanted to do and I’ve never looked back and I’ve always tried to move forward and enjoy this wonderful profession in every way that I can. And, you know, but, but interestingly,
[00:11:05]This is, this is gonna go go into old things. But, um, I, you know, I feel like, um, you know, people are drawn to theater. For a very sort of spiritual reason to connect with, the human condition to connect with people and to realize that they’re not alone. I think they, need to be made to, to, to be made, to feel that they are, that they’re not alone in their circumstances?
[00:11:31] And it’s a very spiritual thing. And when you trace the roots of theater back, it’s very interesting, uh, all the way back to the festival of Dionysus, the ancient Greeks. It’s always it theater at its very roots. Um, was it a religious experience and a spiritual experience and it continues to be, so I would argue to this day, I mean, um, you know, people, people come here to be touched, um, to the soul.
[00:11:54] And, uh, and, and to be a part of that for somebody, uh, is such a, an incredible, um, uh, it’s, it’s an incredible responsibility. Uh, and, and, uh, I think after should, should always try to honor that and, and understand that the gravity of what they’re doing when they’re on stage, because it’s not just about.
[00:12:12]Surface, you know, You know, getting people to laugh or, you know, getting a few laughs or whatever it is, you know, you’re, you’re trying to help somebody realize, are trying to convey whatever, you know, it is. The story is trying to convey, you know, help people realize something. Deep about the human condition. And that’s a very, um, that’s a very, almost a priestly endeavor. Um, and I, and I think it’s, you know, it’s, it’s, it’s unique in that sense and I, and that’s why I love it because it, you.
[00:12:37] know, It helps. It helps us, you know, All to realize. how similar we really are.
[00:12:42]Dane Reis: [00:12:42] Yeah, absolutely. And I love that you said that you had said how similar we all are. And this is what I love about theater, about what theater has given me or the performing arts has given me personally, is that. It’s allowed me to travel and see the world and meet so many different cultures and it’s exactly right. You realize we’re all part of this human condition and we all.
[00:13:07] When it comes down to it, what the exact same things. And we’re all striving for the exact same kinds of fulfillments in our life. And it’s, it’s amazing too. Be in a profession and very, very grateful for it to be in a profession where this is, what we get to do for a living is connect with people.
[00:13:23]Jordan Craig: [00:13:23] Yes. Yeah, I’m dead on, I mean, it’s, it’s, uh, it’s one of the most, um, you know, it speaks to our very basic needs of connection and to be heard, to be understood. And, and I think that’s what theater really is about. It at its essence is to let people know, you know, your herd you’re understood. There are others like you, and we’re ready to listen.
[00:13:44]Dane Reis: [00:13:44] Absolutely. And I want to piggyback on that real quick. And let’s talk about your number one, book. That moment. Walk us through that day, the auditions and call backs. If they happen to be a part of it, what was going on in your life? And what about that moment? Makes it your favorite? book? That moment.
[00:14:06]Jordan Craig: [00:14:06] Okay. So my, my book that moment was, um, um, I was. Going to give up being an actor forever. And, uh, , um, right. I used to live right next to the Apollo theater. Uh, in Harlem and I loved it, loved it there. but I was not achieving what I wanted to achieve in my career. Um, I had, uh, uh, my girlfriend now, my wife, uh, but at, at the time I, I knew I wanted to ask my, my girlfriend to marry me. Uh, and I didn’t have anywhere close to the, to the money to buy a ring. I had no idea how that was going to happen. I, and I had, I had just finished a couple, you know, smaller theater jobs that I was grateful for. But at the same time, I felt like, man, this really isn’t. Ah, this, this there’s something about this that isn’t fulfilling, you know? I haven’t been able to achieve that sort of artistic fulfillment that I’m really looking for. And, uh, I got an audition and I was, I was, I was, you know, I had, I got two jobs. Right. And I was, I was ready to turn it. You’re up to have the conversation with my agent. How are you now, now, now, uh, that I was no longer going to be doing this business anymore. And, uh, I had gotten two jobs. I was working at a gym and I was working in a restaurant. And I. Was on, um, I was going to get a third job. I was going to do Postmates in, but like as a courier, like in between the time when I could find, you know, in between my other two jobs, And, um, . I got an audition for the Phantom of the opera a day before I was supposed to go in. So I scheduled a coaching with my voice coach and, you know, I had never seen the show and I had never seen Phantom. And I went in and, uh, the, the entire casting team was there and. you know, I memorized all I ask of you because that was the role I was auditioning for. And, and, and I. I went into the audition room and I started singing and, and, you know, honestly, I hadn’t put much thought into it. Cause I said, you know, Phantom of the opera, I’m never going to get this. It’s never going to happen. This is the biggest show, you know, cause Hamilton really hadn’t come out, you know? So I’m thinking, you know, Phantom of the opera. It’s the biggest show in the world. Like I’m not gonna. And it’s just not gonna happen for me. I don’t do shows like this. And, uh, I went in and I, and I saying all I ask of you and they, and they stopped me right in the middle of it. And I was like, Oh, they’re, they’re done with me. And they, and the casting director looked at me and she said, Jordan, you’ve never seen the show before, have you in front of the whole team creative team. And I was like, Um, No. I haven’t actually. I haven’t and she was like, cause you don’t look like, you know what you’re singing about at all. And I was like, okay, all right, cool. Are you sending me home now? Because now I’m really embarrassed. And she’s like, she’s like, like, let me tell you what’s going on in the song. So she explained to me what’s happening in all I ask of you. OK. Like, like this is how, like, I just, I just never seen it. You know, You know, Is there some shows you just don’t see. And so you’re like, you don’t have the frame of reference. You’ve seen lots of other shows. We haven’t seen, you know, some of the more famous ones sometimes. So anyway, I’m like, okay. So I took the notes and I, and I, and I sang it again and they were like, alright, hang around for a little bit. And I was like, Oh, okay. And then they asked me to come to a dance call and, and, uh, and the rest of the audition, you know, it seemed okay. And I, and I went home and I didn’t hear anything. And I was like, you know what? I guess I’m going to get back on this Postmates job at was, it was, you know, got my hopes up for a second, but, but that’s it. So I was on the bus. I was, I was over in, on, on the East side and East Harlem, uh, on my way over to this audition . And, uh, I got a call from my agent. She was like, what are you doing right now? And I was like, what do you mean, what am I doing? I’m going to get my third job because my life sucks right now. Um, what are you doing? Why are you calling me? Asking me what I’m doing? And she was like, she was like, would you like to skip your, uh, job interview? And I was like, Yeah. She was like, cause you just booked the biggest show in the world. And I was like, what? Are you kidding? Me and I scrubbed screaming. I’m using all kinds of profanity on the bus. People think I’m insane. Uh, Uh, like everyone around me is like looking at me like I’m like, I’m actually insane. So I’m just yelling at my agent on the phone. And I get off. I literally shoot. I’m just like, I was like, I don’t know what to do. She’s like, like, you should just get off the bus and like like walk home. And I was like, I’m doing that. I’m going to walk home right now. So I walked across Manhattan, like just walked East West all the way across, back to West Harlem where I live and happy as a Lark, I skipped my audition, my audition, my audition, I skipped my job interview, stood them up. And, uh, started packing my bags because I was going to Miami to meet up with the tour. And, uh, and then I, I, um, uh, That, that was the day that changed my life, then the course of my career. And, and, and, um, I’ve met some of the most extraordinary people working, uh, with. Um, uh, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Cameron Mackintosh’s people and, and, um, and, , uh, meeting both of them. And, and so it’s been, it’s been a tremendous. A life altering experience for me. And that was the day. That was my book. That moment.
[00:18:46] Dane Reis: [00:18:46] Oh, that is such a good story. And you know, you know, what’s so ironic about that story that you just told is that when I was interviewing your agent a handful of days ago,
[00:18:56] She told me that other side of that story. As her booked at moment. So it’s amazing. I loved that. Cause we’ve got now the full picture of that entire day, and I’m hoping that there’s some people listening out there that now listen to both of those episodes because it’s so
[00:19:12] Jordan Craig: [00:19:12] That’s insane. She said that she told you the story. Oh man.
[00:19:17] Dane Reis: [00:19:17] I love that. That’s so great.
[00:19:20] Jordan Craig: [00:19:20] What are the odds?
[00:19:21] That’s. I did not talk to her. I did not know that she said that.
[00:19:25] Dane Reis: [00:19:25] Yeah. Yeah. 100%, 100% when her episode comes out, listen to it. You’ll hear it.
[00:19:30] Jordan Craig: [00:19:30] Okay.
[00:19:32] Dane Reis: [00:19:32] Amazing. All right. Well, let’s move on and talk about the present real quick. What projects are you working on now? What are you looking forward to? And. It’s a crazy time, right? We are amidst this global pandemic. How do you see the entertainment industry moving forward in the next couple of years?
[00:19:52]Jordan Craig: [00:19:52] Wow. That is a great question. I think I’m scratching my head a little bit as a, as everybody is. Um, uh, you know, it’s, , um, You know, I don’t want to imagine a world where Broadway theaters are half full for the rest of our lives. I think that’s, gosh, I just can’t imagine, you know, especially as a performer, you know, you know, to do a show where, you know, half the audience just, it’s just half the people and. You know, I, you know, you. for an, For an art form that thrives on, on the exchange of energy. Um, , uh, that’s going to be tough. That’s going to be really tough. I don’t know what that’s gonna look like. I’m not wise enough to know, but. personally, um, I’ve been forced to evolve. I think as many people have to sort of figure out what are we going to do to keep ourselves connected to this business, connected to our art. And, uh, the, the way I’ve chosen to evolve is I I’ve. I’m I’m launching a masterclass website called the door masterclass.com the door master class network. Is the name of the company, but the door masterclass.com is the name of the website. And the goal of the website is to connect students of musical theater, opera film, and the technical arts all over the country in the world with Grammy and Tony award winning artists here in New York. And people working in the highest levels of their industries, uh, all across the spectrum. Uh, and, uh, we have our first masterclass launching October 5th. Uh, it’s called the door. It’s our signature masterclass and I’m teaming up with some amazing people. Um, , uh, our music team is going to be headed by Jim allow who’s the music director for the lane is revival and the anything goes revival with Sutton foster. Um, and then our, uh, our other vocal code are void other voice teacher, his Grammy award winning opera singer Scott Scully. He’s, uh, he’s in his 10th year at the metropolitan opera as a full time company member. And then we have Eric, Shawn Fogel. Who’s the metropolitan opera’s choreographer. Uh, amazing international choreography is the assistant to Francesca’s and bellow. And, um, uh, one of the great, uh, she’s one of the great opera directors alive today. And, and so the four of us have teamed up and written a six week masterclass. For high school and college students and young professionals working in the industry. Um, we’re only gonna take 20 for the first round. Because we really want to focus on the product. It’s, it’s going to be very spaces are limited and they’re filling up fast already. So, um, you should get to the door masterclass.com and check that out. That’s the door masterclass.com. It’s going to, I think be, um, A game changer as far as, uh, online masterclasses go. And the goal of the website is really to revolutionize. I think longterm is to revolutionize arts education. You know, you asked how the industry is going to change and I. You know, I I’m afraid. And I think a lot of people are afraid that, you know, when you have periods of, um, , you know, financial stress on the school industry, on the school districts and education, that arts programs are the first to get the chop. And, um, so you know, that that’s unacceptable to me and that’s an acceptable to Scott and Jim and Eric and the rest of the people that are going to be joining our, our website in the future. Uh, no matter where you live, no matter who you are, we want to bring top notch education in the arts, right into your home, right. To you, right to your family, right into your dorm room. Right Right into your apartment. And, um, and, and allow people to continue to train at the highest level, uh, no matter where you live, you know, there’s, there’s a dirty saying in show business, you know, they say it’s all about who, you know, you know, and, and that’s, well, that’s not quite true. who, you know, can really affect the trajectory of your career. It certainly has, for me, it hasn’t been everything. Uh, but it certainly has had an impact. And . we. are about cultivating those relationships. It’s not just about the training. It’s about the fact that you’ll get to say, Oh, you know, I didn’t just study with Scott Scully at the met. I know him. uh, you know, and, and so that’s, I think one of the really important aspects of what we’re trying to offer, um, and, uh, and so far it’s selling really, really well. And, and we hope more and more people come in, come to the door, masterclass.com and check it out.
[00:23:57]Dane Reis: [00:23:57] Yeah, I love what you’re doing. That is so good. And I really appreciate that you. Are also about building those relationships. Cause you’re you’re so right this while it’s not the end all and be all of. Finding success in this industry. Who, you know, you know, and the relationships that you build and the networks you have absolutely have an impact on your career. And I love that you’re so focused on also.
[00:24:25]Cultivating that in developing those relationships and like right now you said we’re taking 20 people. We’re not getting too carried away or too ahead of ourselves, but that way it also gives you an opportunity to. Properly get to know people
[00:24:37] Jordan Craig: [00:24:37] You’re right. You’re absolutely right. You know, over the six weeks, you know, uh, you know, uh, of, of our, of the masterclass, we’ve had meetings, you know,you know, where I’ve said, you know, I don’t know if we want to get bigger than that because. What we want, what we want to be able to do is provide , you know, as much individual attention as possible. And that’s, that’s one of the things I wanted to stress about the masterclass is this is a six week intensive. Um, and a lot of these intensives that I I’ve seen on the internet, it’s like, you know, you’ll come and, but you may not be singing every day. Like sometimes you just be watching and sometimes like someone else will get to sing and you will just kind of like chill. Well, we want everybody to participate every day. So everybody is going to get individual attention every day. And that’s how we start to cultivate those relationships. , because, you, you know, I don’t, I don’t know. Dana if you’ve seen these, but there’s a lot of those masterclasses out there and, and it seems like a good deal. And then you’re like, well, you’ll, you’ll be singing for like this instructor and this instructor twice. And like, then everyone else, it’s their turn to kind of like sit back and listen, and then it’ll be your turn to sit back and listen. Well, You know, I think that, um, you know, the more, the more we can get people up and singing and using their instrument and, and connecting on that artistic level, the better.
[00:25:41] Dane Reis: [00:25:41] Absolutely. And especially in this digital age, because when you do go to, there’s not, not, not to take away from more of the traditional or stereotypical, uh, masterclass model, but if you’re doing it in person, You know, you have a lot of time in break times and things like that, too. Chat with everyone. That’s your in that masterclass with, to build connections within the industry who are your peers, who are also the masterclass teachers at the same time, but you have kind of that downtime to also have those conversations. But when we take it online, Now it’s more about the work and. It’s great. Cause you kind of getting the best of both worlds. People are going to get to do more work, but they’re also going to be able to develop more relationships at the same time. I think it’s brilliant.
[00:26:24]Jordan Craig: [00:26:24] Thank you so much. We’re having such a success already with it. Um, it’s, it’s starting to take off in an amazing way. So. Um, I I’m just, I’m so grateful and we wanna, we want to extend that invitation to anyone else who wants to come check us out and join us in the fall for what I think will be probably the most life changing masterclass you’ll ever take. Um, it’s a, the syllabus is, is jam packed with amazing things. One of the things that is included in the master classes, we have a, we have a showcase with some of. New, York’s leading a musical theater and film agents at the end and, uh, and there’s a entire fo one week of focus on what I call the business of you, which is the business of self-marketing of social media. How do I make myself known, especially for women it’s tough in a saturated market. There’s so many women. How do you. How do you possibly, um, make yourselves, uh, seen and heard and known? And, uh, we have people coming in, uh, who, uh, who are experts in social media analytics and, and who are going to, um, um,
[00:27:21] Help, uh, Help, uh, all of our students give them personalized breakdowns of their social media footprint, show them how to maximize their potential. That way. It’s, it’s a, it’s a workshop unlike anything I’ve ever seen. And I’m so grateful. We got to put it together.
[00:27:33]Dane Reis: [00:27:33] Yeah, that is amazing. Very excited for that to come out. And it is time to move on to one of my favorite sections in the interview. I call it the grease lightening round. I am going to ask you a handful of questions. I want you to answer them as quickly and concisely as possible. One after another, are you ready?
[00:27:54]Jordan Craig: [00:27:54] Okay, I’m ready.
[00:27:56] Dane Reis: [00:27:56] All right. First question. What was the one thing holding you back from committing to a career as an entertainer?
[00:28:02]Jordan Craig: [00:28:02] Nothing. It’s what I’ve always wanted to do.
[00:28:04] Dane Reis: [00:28:04] Beautiful. Second question. What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?
[00:28:10]Jordan Craig: [00:28:10] You are enough.
[00:28:12]Dane Reis: [00:28:12] Yes. Third question. What is something that is working for you right now? Or if you’d like to go pre COVID, what was working for you before our industry went on? Pause.
[00:28:24]Jordan Craig: [00:28:24] I get up every day and run a mile and do a hundred pushups.
[00:28:28]Dane Reis: [00:28:28] Beautiful. Fourth question. What is your best resource, whether that is a book, a movie, a YouTube video, a podcast, maybe a piece of technology that you found is helping your career right now.
[00:28:42]Jordan Craig: [00:28:42] My iPad.
[00:28:45] Dane Reis: [00:28:45] Fifth question. If you had to start your career from scratch, but you still had all the knowledge and experience you’ve collected from your career in this industry, what would you do or not do? Would you do anything differently or would you keep it the same?
[00:28:59]Jordan Craig: [00:28:59] I would do. Everything exactly the same. I’ve enjoyed this ride.
[00:29:05]Dane Reis: [00:29:05] Beautiful. And the last question, what is the golden nugget and all his drop you’ve learned from your successful career in this industry? You’d like to leave with our listeners.
[00:29:17]Jordan Craig: [00:29:17] Oh, I think I already said it. It’s it’s. you are enough that that cannot be said enough. You are enough, you are good enough and you don’t need to try to be anything else other than exactly what you are. You’re wonderful just as you are.
[00:29:31]Dane Reis: [00:29:31] Perfect. And to overall wrap up this interview, Jordan, it is time to give yourself a plug. Where can we find you? How do our listeners connect with you? Is there anything you want to promote?
[00:29:42]Jordan Craig: [00:29:42] Well, I’ve already done that quite enough today, but I. What’s one more plug, right? You can find me on Instagram at, Hey, it’s Jordan Craig. That’s H E Y its J O R D a N C R a I G. Hey, it’s Jordan Craig. And. Check out the door masterclass network at the door. masterclass.com. It is. Going to change your life.
[00:30:08] Dane Reis: [00:30:08] Beautiful. And for everyone listening out there, I have put the links in the description of this episode to both the masterclass and his social media. Jordan. Thank you so much for joining me today. It’s been an absolute pleasure to have you on.
[00:30:21]Jordan Craig: [00:30:21] Dane. It’s been my pleasure. Thank you so, so much.
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