Contributor

Craig Stewart

SO MUCH TO SAY Podcast Host & Author of Words Never Spoken

Craig Stewart, an artistic virtuoso with a passion for literature, music and theater, is bringing his love for storytelling to the arts scene. He showcased his skills and ambition with his debut stage production, A Day in the Life. It finished a successful run in Atlanta and established Stewart as one of the nation’s up-and-coming artists. The first in his immediate family to graduate from college, Stewart attended Hampton University, where he received a degree in liberal arts. Originally a native of Baltimore, Stewart moved to Atlanta over a decade ago with dreams of making it in the music industry. Despite his passion and several opportunities to work with established artists and producers, Stewart eventually realized that his future was not just in music. He turned his attention to writing, and in 2002 his first play, A Day in the Life, opened at Atlanta’s 14th Street Playhouse. The show’s original run was cut short by a lack of funding and Stewart’s personal battles with depression. In 2004 Stewart founded his own greeting card company, Say It in a Card, LLC. It was through Say It in a Card that he eventually met a backer to sponsor a second run of A Day in the Life. The new production opened in 2007 to a sold-out crowd at the Balzer Theater and was quickly hailed as a powerful artistic statement regarding the emotional and societal pressures experienced by gay African-American men. Born out of Stewart’s own personal struggles to find love and a sense of self-understanding as a gay man, A Day in the Life touched the hearts and minds of audience members and rapidly won Stewart praise from critics and publications like Southern Voice and DAVID magazine. Riding the momentum of the play's success in Atlanta, Stewart is currently poised to take the show on a national tour in hopes of spreading awareness about the plight of gay African-American men and those infected with HIV. He also hopes to empower others while he dispels myths about the homosexual community and educate audiences to help prevent the spread of HIV and AIDS. In addition to his success as a playwright, Stewart has written for the Atlanta-based theater company Youth Ensemble of Atlanta (YEA), an organization supported and funded by actress Jane Fonda. His greeting card business has been very successful, and his talents have won him the prestigious honor of writing personalized cards for such high-profile clients as Darius Miles of the Portland Trailblazers and award-winning recording artist Brandy. Stewart has also co-produced a number of reality show projects in partnership with Kenny Leon Productions, and with noted television personality and world-renowned fashion expert Dwight Eubanks. But, Stewart’s passion and efforts reach beyond his artistic career. He is also an active volunteer, serving his community through numerous projects. Stewart has facilitated workshops designed to educate gay African-American men regarding sex and the facts about HIV. Additionally he has consistently worked with Project Open Hand, an organization devoted to preparing and delivering meals to terminally ill individuals. Not content to bask in the glory of his past successes, Stewart hosts a weekly podcast called SO MUCH TO SAY. For more, visit http://www.CraigTheWriterStewart.com