By Ellie Smith
Features Editor

Ever since she can remember, Renee Craig recalls singing and dancing around her house to songs from her favorite movies including the Sound of Music and The Little Mermaid.

“I’ve always loved performing. I’ve been singing ever since I can remember,” said Craig. “It’s always been something that I enjoy doing, but I didn’t really think of it as a career until my freshman year when I was in my first play here.”

Now, as a senior at WA, Craig has evolved from the young girl dancing around her house to an actress performing on stage.

Before high school, Craig did various acting camps over the summer but never became truly involved in theater until her freshman year.

The first production Craig participated in during her freshman year was Children’s Letters to God, the only musical to ever be performed in the black box.

Other shows that she has performed in include Brilliant Traces, Five Women Wearing the Same Dress, Oleanna,  Evita, Steel Magnolias, and Les Miserables.

Most recently, Craig performed in WATA’s production of My Name is Asher Lev, playing the role of the women. The play was performed at multiple competitions and was named winner at the Massachusetts Educational Theater Guild State Finals. Individually, Craig received an award at the festival for excellence in acting for her role.

One of her favorite shows she has been in is Brilliant Traces during her freshman year, as it was her first real acting experience, other than the musical in the black box.

“It was my first real show, so it holds a special place in my heart because it’s the reason I really fell in love with acting,” said Craig.

Over the four years Craig has participated in WATA, Michael Towers has seen her grow and mature as an actress. He feels she has always had an exceptional gift and has excelled because of her hard work and determination.

“The first time I saw Renee perform, I knew that she was special. I knew she was someone with a remarkable gift,” said Towers. “There is also a tremendous work ethic and willingness involved [in acting] and she has that.”

Craig participated in German club during her freshman year. However, due to the demanding schedule of WATA, she decided to focus her extra time solely on theater arts.

After auditioning for multiple schools including Boston University, New York University, Emerson College, Fordham University and others, Craig has committed to Rutgers University majoring in acting at the Mason Gross School of the Arts.

After initially auditioning at Rutgers, Craig received a callback. She spent the weekend at the university auditioning multiple times and taking classes while being observed by the staff. She later received the news that she was accepted into the Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) program and decided to go there because of her love of the campus and program.

“Out of all the schools I auditioned for, I liked Rutgers the most. I really just fell in love with it,” said Craig. “I feel really lucky that I found a place that I feel at home where I can go and do the thing that I love for four more years and I’m very excited.”

During her last year in the BFA program at Rutgers, Craig will participate in a showcase where she will be observed by various agents. After college, Craig hopes to move to New York and act for as long as she can.

Friend and fellow actress Ali Luther has known Craig for many years and recognizes her strong passion for acting.

“Renee is a character. She eats, sleeps, breathes acting. It’s her passion,” said Luther. “She fully involves her mind and body to truly become the character on stage and in real life.”