Pictured: Brian Craft. Photo by: Nelson Castillo.

Theater-goers may recognize Brian Craft from his apprenticeship at Florida Studio Theatre, performing in touring shows and on the Keating Stage in productions such as Rap-punzel, or perhaps from his run in Violet for The Players, but the actor is picking up stakes next month for a brief sojourn in New York City and the glitz and glamour of Broadway, with a solo performance in this year’s Broadway Sings for Pride event on June 22.

“It’s really important to me because when I was a kid growing up not knowing who I am, I looked up to the Broadway stars a lot,” said Craft, currently also in preparation for the imminent opening of Icons at The Players. “It was something I wanted to do and I identified with them.”

Founded in 2011 by Neal Bennington and in response to mounting suicides within the LGBT community, Broadway Sings for Pride’s annual concerts bring Broadway performers, non-profit organizations and communities together in support of LGBT youth and acceptance, presenting a night of music, theater and guest speakers with proceeds going to related campaigns and non-profits.

“It’s not only raising money, but awareness, and celebrating the fact that there is help out there and a really strong community behind us,” said Craft, who has been involved for the last few years in varying capacities, first attracting Bennington’s attention with the cast of an Off-Broadway revival of Let My People Come. Striking a rapport, Craft was invited back as a host the following year and as an ensemble member in the years following. This year will be his first as a solo performer.

“So I’m doing something crazy with a puppet,” said Craft laughing. He’s selected a piece from Avenue Q, a musical starring puppets and satirizing the unrealistic expectations instilled from children’s programming, called “Purpose,” which he feels will be a good fit, puppets or no. “Because it’s about not really knowing who you are and where you’re going to end up,” said Craft. “And everyone loves puppets.”

Craft will be back in Sarasota soon though. He’s done “the whole New York thing” and left it behind, now finding himself enjoying the enthusiasm of the Suncoast’s theater scene and planning to do more in the area. But still, he’ll always make time for Broadway Sings for Pride. “It’s a night of celebration and empowerment, being who you are and being proud,” said Craft. “It’s everything I stand for and believe in.”

Pictured: Brian Craft. Photo by: Nelson Castillo.