Queerying Craig of DC Cowboys !!!

Founded by Kevin Platte in 1994, the DC Cowboys dance company is an 18-member, all-male, all-volunteer, performing arts organization for gay men in the Washington, DC–metropolitan area. Metro Weekly magazine has described the Cowboys’ style as a “trademark combo of Broadway-caliber verve, sizzling sex appeal, and rugged good looks.”
Internationally acclaimed, the Cowboys specialize in high-energy, professional dance numbers which span all musical genres from sexy club mixes to musical theater to contemporary country. The company also provides free entertainment to HIV/AIDS charitable service organizations. After their triumphant debut in Washington, DC at the 1994 Atlantic Stampede, the critical acclaim and extraordinary bookings have been continuous.
Combining a little traditional country-western with jazz, musical theater, cabaret dance, and a masculine sex appeal which sets them apart from other dance groups, the DC Cowboys’ high-energy choreography thrills crowds wherever they entertain—around the Washington DC metropolitan area, across the US and in Canada. As a grant recipient from the D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities and the National Endowment for the Arts, the DC Cowboys have been honored for their valued contribution to the Washington, DC arts community.
Organizations the DC Cowboys have worked with include:
Washington, DC AIDS Ride
Washington, DC AIDS Walk
Chase Brexton Clinic of Baltimore, MD
Northern Virginia AIDS Ministry
Whitman Walker Clinic of Washington, DC
Food and Friends of Washington, DC
Mautner Project
Gay Latino Benefits in Metro DC
Harford County AIDS/Cancer Benefit, MD
Community Outreach
In addition to providing entertainment for HIV/AIDS organizations, the DC Cowboys have supported community-based companies through other monetary donations raised at the monthly DC Cowboy party and through charitable efforts (such as the 2007 Calendar and DVD project).
These organizations include:
Whitman Walker Clinic of Washington
Lazarus House in New Orleans (after Hurricane Katrina)
The DC Cowboys also promote the message of safe sex. At its monthly fundraiser, the DC Cowboys hand out safe-sex packets which include condoms and information about HIV and AIDS.

Craig-
A native of Baltimore, MD, but now residing in DC, Craig has been dancing since the age of fourteen. Although relatively new to the world of “country” dancing, he is trained in ballet, tap and jazz. He has an extensive background in theatre, having performed in theatres all over the east coast. He has toured with productions of “A Chorus Line” and “42nd Street,” in addition to many regional, summer stock and dinner theatre credits. Craig has also worked as a director and choreographer for many theatres and serves as one of the DC Cowboys choreographers. His hobbies include drawing, painting, reading and working out. By day, he works as a Contract Administrator for The American Federation of Television and Radio Artists and the Screen Actors Guild (AFTRA-SAG), two unions that represent professional performers. He plans to pursue a Masters in Arts Management.
Birth Sign: Aries
Height: 5′ 11″
Weight: 170
Boot Size: 10
Fantasy Man: Hugh Jackman
Life Philosophy: Live life with no regrets
What Makes You Click?: Confidence, humor, a muscular body
Craig, thank you for doing this interview. Wow, talk about dark and smoldering-good looks! You put the YEE in the HAW! How long you been with the group and how did you get your start?

Craig: Thanks for the compliments. I’ve been with the group for 5 years now. I actually started dancing when I was 14 in a local community theatre production of GUYS AND DOLLS, and things just kind of grew from there. I was introduced to the group by another member whom I’d done some shows with. He mentioned that the group was looking for new members and that I should come down and audition. I did, and the rest is history.

You mentioned in your profile a bloody-back flip event…lol Tell us about it?

Well, we were learning a new number (not one that I choreographed, by the way) and we were supposed to stand back-to-back and link arms with our partner. The one partner would then bend forward and flip the other person over their back. Well, my partner had never done this before, so I don’t think he knew exactly how far to bend over and when to let go of me. So, basically he flipped me over his head and threw me on the floor! Not intentionally, of course, but that’s pretty much what happened. Even worse is that 2 other guys in the group were spotting us – obviously they weren’t doing a very good job!

The T-shirts in your nightstand with the condoms and lube? Would that be for clean up?..lol The contents of a nightstand tell so much don’t you think?

Craig: Yeah, kind of like finding out what a woman carries in her purse! The night stand is really a mini-dresser, so I have lots of different T-shirts in there. My workout shirts, undershirts, tight- fitting t-shirts for going out…you get the picture. The condoms and lube are just there for convenience.

What is the sexiest part of a man for you? Why?

Craig: Well, actually what draws me most to a man is more how he presents himself than a specific body part. I can be attracted to different types of guys if they have a quality about them that I respond to. If two hot guys walk in the room, I will probably be more drawn to the one who shows me personality and charm rather than just being what I call a “poser”. But if you want me to pick a body part, I love a nice ass! God, I love men’s butts. They’re just so sexy to me. I love to watch men walk, you know what I mean?

Finish this sentence. Growing up, Craig was…

Craig: SHY! I was painfully shy as a kid, even as a teenager. I’m
not as shy as I used to be, but even to this day, many people
describe me as quiet.

The most traumatic events in your life have been what? Why?

Craig: Just about anything from High School. Middle School as well. As I mentioned, I was extremely shy, but add on top of that the fact that I was skinny, had bad acne, braces and glasses. I was also kind of a geek and I SUCKED at sports. I was alwaysgetting picked last in gym class. And struggling with being gaydidn’t help things either. I was picked on alot, shoved into lockers, called names…the usual. But hey, those guys are all bald and fat now, and I’m not!

The most joyous times in your life have been?

Craig: Now – my 30’s. I feel like I came into my own in my 30’s. I’ve been much happier. I found a career doing something I like. I’ve had the chance to work with some great people and travel to some cool cities and experience things I didn’t think I’d ever get to do. I’m happier, healthier and in better shape than I’ve ever been.

If a teenager came up to you and asked how he could become as good as you dancing one day, what advice would you give him?

Craig: Practice, practice, practice! If you want to be a good dancer, you have to get training. Obviously you have to have some natural ability, ’cause if you have no talent, it doesn’t matter how many classes you take, you aren’t gonna be a dancer. But, ifyou have the ability, get out there and start taking classes. But look around first – you want to find a good studio with good teachers. Ask around. Take a trial class. But definitely, get the training. There are so many people out there that think just because they have rhythm and can go out to a club and dance, that hat makes them a dancer. All you have to do is watch shows like “So You Think You Can Dance?” and watch the open call audition to see how many untrained dancers are out there.

If you could change something in the world for GLBT youth what would it be?

Craig: I would make the world more accepting of people. We all have different opinions and different points of view, and we’re all never gonna agree on things. So we have to learn how to be accepting and tolerant of others. To just accept the fact that people are different and that’s OK, so long as we all get along. As long as you’re not hurting anyone, live and let live. There is some progress being made. I see different countries allowing gay marriages, so the ball is rolling. But then I open a newspaper and I am sadly reminded of just how much hatred and ignorance there is out there.

How do you like those QC T’s?

Craig: They’re great! How do I look in them?

You Look Amazing!!
QC will be featuring more of these studs over the next couple months. Enjoy…Ride A Horse, Now A Cowboy!!!!
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