Tifton native director presents “The Play That Goes Wrong” at Tift Theatre this weekend
TIFTON, Ga. – The Tift Theatre will present “The Play That Goes Wrong” this Friday and Saturday.
Before opening night, we had the opportunity to speak with the production’s director, Mr. Craig Wells, who shared insight into his career.
“Well, I was born, raised and educated right here in Tifton, Georgia, went through this Tift County School System. I went to ABAC and Georgia State University where I got my degree in journalism. Somebody suggested, well, you know, you like kids, you used to work at the library downtown. Why don’t you see about becoming a teacher? So, I went down to Valdosta State, got my teaching credentials and started teaching,” said Craig Wells, Director, “The Play That Goes Wrong.”
Wells has dedicated his career to the arts, incorporating poetry and theatrical performances into his teaching.
In addition to his role as an educator, he has also taken the stage as an actor. While teaching in St. Mary’s Georgia, he developed a deep passion for theater and performance.
“I was begged by one of the mothers of a child that I was teaching that, “I know you do plays Mr. Wells in your classroom, but are you an actor? Because we need a Mr. March in Little Women. Would you take over that part?” and I did. And, I caught the bug and there I was in you’re a good man, Charlie Brown. I was in the music man. I was in the odd couple. In Brunswick, I was on golden pond and the same time next year,” said Wells.
After 27 years of teaching, Craig Wells made the bold decision to move to New York City, one of the world’s premier theater hubs. Over the next seven years, he performed in off-Broadway productions, appeared in commercials, and work on television shows such as Law & Order: SVU and Blue Bloods.
However, due to unforeseen circumstances, wells eventually would return to Tifton.
“My mother was living by herself. Her caregiver quit and she said, what am I going to do? So, I thought it over and I came back to Tifton to look after her. I immediately got involved with the Baldwin Players out at ABAC again with Dr. Brian Ray. He has been my mentor as far as directing. Kezia Larry, who is the manager here at the Tift Theater, reached out to me and she sent me some scripts of some ideas and I chose the one that we are doing, “The Play That Goes Wrong,”” said Wells.
The play that goes wrong will be open to the public Friday, March 28, and Saturday, March 29, at the Tift Theatre. Stay tuned for further coverage and more details about the production.
De’Andra Jacobs reporting.
Copyright 2025 CBS 44 News South Georgia. All rights reserved.
