Caelan Creaser, a musical theater alumna from the class of 2019, is back at ASU — as a professional actor at Gammage Auditorium.
Creaser is part of the ensemble and understudies Elsa in the touring production of Disney's "Frozen," playing ASU Gammage Feb. 22 through March 5.
Creaser, who was part of many ASU musical productions as a student, was cast in the role while she was still a senior, weeks before graduating with a bachelor's in musical theater performance from the University.
Raised in Seattle among a family of musicians, Creaser was introduced to musical theater by her parents at the age of four. Seeing a community theatre production of "The Wizard of Oz", Creaser was moved by the actress playing Dorothy as she sang "Over The Rainbow."
At that moment in the show, Creaser turned to her mother and said: "I know I’m gonna be doing that someday."
Creaser transferred to ASU in 2016 as a sophomore from Ithaca College where, as a freshman, she was cast in a student production of Stephen Sondheim's "Into The Woods" under the music direction of Brian DeMaris. DeMaris, who currently serves as the artistic director of the Music Theatre and Opera program, was previously an associate professor at Ithaca College until 2015. When he left, Creaser chose to follow.
While DeMaris was the primary reason behind Creaser's transfer, ASU's flexibility with courses also had substantial influence on her decision.
"I had the freedom to explore different things by taking classes outside my major," Creaser said.
In 2018, Creaser played the principal role of Elle Woods in ASU's production of "Legally Blonde — The Musical."
"If there was a role I could play for the rest of my life, it would be Elle," said Creaser. "I found some of my best friends during that production, and they were all bridesmaids at my wedding."
Carole FitzPatrick, associate professor of voice at the School of Music, Dance and Theatre, taught Creaser voice for three years. Creaser and FitzPatrick collaborated on many musical theater songs as part of their one-on-one studio lessons at ASU.
"Caelan was extraordinarily talented, but also very generous as a student. Despite the weirdness around this business, she has retained that generosity and kindness." FitzPatrick said. "That is quite rare, and it really makes her stand out."
Creaser credits FitzPatrick with the technique she uses in the present. "As a performer, your voice is rarely at 100% capacity everyday, but that isn't an excuse to not perform. Carole would emphasize this a lot. She taught me about navigating the capacity of your voice around the material to sound the best."
In her senior year, Creaser performed at a showcase in New York City along with the Musical Theatre class of 2019. The song "Monster," written for the stage adaptation of Frozen, was part of her set list.
"I wanted to do something from Frozen — particularly Elsa, cause I really connected to that character." Given the juggernaut of "Let It Go," Creaser chose "Monster" instead.
At the showcase, a casting agency in the audience offered Creaser an audition: the role of Regina George in the touring production of "Mean Girls: The Musical." Creaser made it to the final callback, but ultimately did not get the role. “I flew back disappointed, but I was still proud of myself for making it this far.”
A few weeks later, Creaser received a call from the same agency, who told her that they were looking to cast an ensemble member for the touring production of "Frozen," who would also understudy the role of Elsa.
Creaser recorded material for Disney, got a callback and was cast in the role mere weeks before graduation.
The tour began performances in December 2019. At the performance after Christmas, Creaser received word that she would be stepping in as Elsa for Caroline Bowman, the principal actress.
"All I had done was trail Caroline backstage, and I was terrified." Creaser had no on-stage rehearsal before her unprecedented Elsa debut. Going on for the first time, she instinctually embraced the character. "When I had to sing 'Let It Go' I was, in one way, really letting my fears go," said Creaser.
Since then, Creaser rejoined the tour when it resumed performances after the pandemic shutdown, and has performed as Elsa multiple times; covering for Bowman on vacation, and at Disney's D23 Expo in September 2022.
At ASU Gammage, Creaser will be performing as Elsa on Feb. 28 and March 1.
Newly wed during the tour, Creaser plans to settle down with her husband and dog in Mesa.
"I have loved touring around the country, and now, I'm looking forward to relaxing in one place for a bit," Creaser said.
Creaser will play her final performance with the tour on March 18 in Las Vegas.
Creaser said that the show's number "Vuelie / Let the Sun Shine On" would feel particularly special to her in Tempe. "Being back in the Valley of the Sun, performing at this place that made me who I am, where I made some of my best friends feels surreal. It's almost like magic."
Edited by Claire van Doren, Reagan Priest and Caera Learmonth.
Reach the reporter at ssswamin@asu.edu and follow @shriiiitt on Twitter.
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