Creighton Fraker, former Webster University Conservatory student, won a place among the top 24 contestants on “American Idol” during the show’s Feb. 22 episode.
“We gotta pick our top 24. Everybody’s different. Everybody has something special to offer. It just comes down to who we feel has been the most consistent, who we feel has that special something (that’s) going to touch America,” “American Idol” judge Jennifer Lopez said on the Feb. 22 episode.
Fraker attended Webster’s Conservatory in 2001 for musical theater. After two years, Fraker was cut from the Conservatory and he moved to New York.
“It (New York) seems to be the place to be when you’re a musical theater actor,” Fraker said.
Before informing Fraker he had made it to the top 24, Lopez asked him how he was feeling.
”More nervous right now than I have been before any of my songs,” Fraker said.
After hearing of his placement in the top 24, Fraker jumped up from his chair and covered his face with his hands. Fraker thanked the judges and went backstage where his family was waiting. His birth father, whom he met three years ago, was among his family backstage.
“This just got so real. They want me to be on the show,” Fraker said to his family on the Feb. 22 episode.
Fraker started singing when he was three years old. He said he always knew singing would be a large part of his life. Fraker, who was adopted, was encouraged to audition for “American Idol” by his birth father, a former member of the heavy metal band Flotsam and Jetsam.
Fraker has worked with the Friends in Theater Company in New York for approximately five years. After production costs, Friends in Theater donates 100 percent of their proceeds to charity. Fraker said he and some friends, whom he met in New York, wanted to do projects and act instead of constantly auditioning. Because Friends in Theater is a non-profit, Fraker said they were more easily able to obtain funding from business.
“It’s worked out well that way and we’ve also been able to give back to the community at the same time. It’s been a nice way to approach being creative in the city,” Fraker said.
Fraker was initially nervous about auditioning in front of the “American Idol” judges.
“I was really nervous before I went into the room (with the judges),” Fraker said. “For some reason when I went in there I had a calm come over me and I just felt very comfortable in front of them. And I sunk into it a little bit. It felt easier than I thought it would.”
Gary Glasgow, Webster Conservatory of Theatre Arts professor, has been watching Fraker on “American Idol” online.
“I largely remember him as very enthusiastic and energetic, the same way he appears on TV,” Glasgow said. “I have downloaded the YouTube videos of his performances and enjoyed watching them.”
“American Idol” will make more cuts and announce finalists on Thursday, March 1st.
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