Stratford, Ont. wigmaker nominated for Emmy
If you’ve been to the Stratford Festival during the last 20 seasons or so, you’ve likely seen Erica Croft’s work on stage.
The Stratford, Ont. wigmaker and hairstylist is a master of her craft.
Now her first gig in television has earned her a nomination in the first-ever Children’s and Family Emmy Awards.
“I got a text from the costume designer and she said ‘congratulations we’ve been nominated for an Emmy and I was kind of in shock,” Croft said. “I thought it was a joke.”
While the theatre has always been her home, when the pandemic halted productions, Croft started looking for other opportunities. At the same time, television and film industries were picking up with everyone at home streaming content.
“I thought 'I'm just going to make some phone calls and see what I can land.' And the first job I got out of COVID was Odd Squad,” Croft said.
Croft says she's worked on over 100 shows at the Stratford Festival. (Spencer Turcotte/CTV Kitchener)
Her work on the children’s educational television show has now earned her an Emmy nomination – and the success keeps coming.
She recently landed another big gig in show biz.
Croft said she “almost threw up” when she got a call from Oprah Winfrey herself.
“You know what she says to me? ‘Erica where have you been?’ And I thought, my goodness, I’ve been at the Stratford Festival, loving my life.”
By the end of the phone call, Croft had secured a role working on The Kings of Napa on the Oprah Winfrey Network.
“One of the characters, Rose, was in a faded look,” Croft explained. “And trying to keep a shaved fade on a lady was a challenge because we were shooting her sometimes three months ahead, and then cutting it back.”
Croft's current project is Peter’s Final Flight at Toronto’s Elgin Theatre. (Spencer Turcotte/CTV Kitchener)
For now, Croft is turning off the television and drawing back the curtain as she returns to the world of theatre.
Her current project is creating wigs for the musical Peter’s Final Flight at Toronto’s Elgin Theatre.
But an on-screen encore isn’t out of the question, hinting she may have her eyes set on the Oscars next.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Deadly six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 sparked by road rage incident
One person was killed in a six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 in Innisfil Friday evening.
'Of course, yes': Poland latest European country with interest in Canadian LNG
The President of Poland says his country would 'of course' be interested in purchasing Canadian liquefied natural gas if it were available, while the Canadian federal government has said it is 'not interested' in subsidizing future projects.
Dozens in Italy give a fascist salute on the anniversary of Mussolini's execution
Dozens of people raised their arms in the fascist salute and shouted a fascist chant during ceremonies Sunday to honor Italian dictator Benito Mussolini on the 79th anniversary of his execution.
Invasive and toxic hammerhead worms make themselves at home in Ontario
Ontario is now home to an invasive and toxic worm species that can grow up to three feet long and can be dangerous to small animals and pets.
Britney Spears settles long-running legal dispute with estranged father, finally bringing ultimate end to conservatorship
Britney Spears has reached a settlement with her estranged father more than two years after the court-ordered termination of a conservatorship that had given him control of her life, their attorneys said.
Here's where Canadians are living abroad: report
A recent report sheds light on Canadians living abroad--estimated at around four million people in 2016—and the public policies that impact them.
What is a 'halal mortgage'? Does it make housing more accessible?
The 2024 federal budget announced on April 16 included plans to introduce “halal mortgages” as a way to increase access to home ownership.
Chants of 'shame on you' greet guests arriving for the annual White House correspondents' dinner
An election-year roast of U.S. President Joe Biden before journalists, celebrities and politicians at the annual White House correspondents' dinner Saturday.
Health minister 'deeply appreciative' of doctors but capital gains changes here to stay
Health Minister Mark Holland says while he is 'deeply appreciative' of the work doctors in Canada do, the federal government has no plans to scrap the proposed capital gains tax changes outlined in the latest budget, despite opposition from the Canadian Medical Association.