Artist Spotlight - Craig Thornton
Meet our May Artist Spotlight, Craig Thornton! Craig’s journey to becoming a successful playwright, screenwriter, and director is anything but ordinary. This Theresa native, a graduate of Indian River Central School District, took a winding path to achieve his artistic goals.
After two years at Jefferson Community College, Craig's talent earned him a spot at NYU's prestigious film school. He then furthered his education at the American Film Institute in Los Angeles. However, the Hollywood lifestyle didn't resonate with Craig, and he eventually returned to his Upstate New York roots, a decision that would significantly impact his creative direction.
A key influence on Craig's career was a film appreciation class at JCC, which ignited his passion for storytelling. This passion translated into a prolific career. He's written over 8 full-length plays, 6 short plays, and 5 screenplays, including his first television pilot.
Craig's initial pursuit of screenwriting took a different turn in LA. Disillusioned with the Hollywood experience, he rediscovered his love for playwriting. His plays have been staged in New York, Los Angeles, and across the country. One of his most acclaimed works, "The High Cost of Heating," was a runner-up for the Yale Drama Series prize and enjoyed readings in various locations, including Syracuse and Los Angeles.
Always up for a challenge, Craig ventured into television. While teaching screenwriting at Syracuse University Craig was asked to teach TV pilot writing as well. As he prepared for lessons he learned more about pilot structure and since he was unable to find a satisfying ending for a screenplay he had written, he transformed it into a pilot for a psychological drama set in a small Wisconsin town. This exploration of generational trauma even caught the attention of the Berlin International Screenwriting Festival.
Craig finds inspiration in various sources, including books, shows, and the works of other playwrights. However, character development is always his starting point. Locally, audiences were touched by "In My Shoes," a docudrama about teenagers dealing with deployed parents. This powerful play, inspired by interviews with local students, gained national recognition after being featured on CNN.
Craig is a strong believer in collaboration and actively involves actors in his creative process. He values their input as a revision tool, acknowledging the solitary nature of writing. This open approach even led him to completely rewrite the ending of "The Sweet Life" after feedback from trusted friends. As Craig says, "developing an instinct for good and bad notes" is crucial.
His artistic journey has taken an exciting new direction with a foray into musicals. During the pandemic, a newfound appreciation for musical theater led him to take a lyric writing class. Partnering with the Pulitzer Prize-nominated composer Augusta Cecconi Bates, Craig is creating "Picking Elderberries," a 1920s Vaudeville-style musical set in Cape Vincent.
Craig is brimming with creativity and expresses immense gratitude for the opportunity to continue writing. Beyond his artistic endeavors, Craig serves as the Arts and Entertainment writer for WWNY, a role that has allowed him to nurture young talent through the Arts All Star program, a program he co-developed.
Craig's story is an inspiration for aspiring writers. His advice is simple: “Be comfortable with the unknown and write, because the alternative is simply not pursuing your passion.”
