by Mark Hebert, Exhibit City News
Book Title: It’s Showtime!
Subtitle: Our Lives Behind the Scenes on Las Vegas Showroom Stages
Author: Craig L. Hayes with Kelli Draper Wolf
It’s Showtime! takes readers behind the glitz and glamour of Las Vegas to reveal the lives of the hardworking stagehands who make the entertainment magic happen. Craig Hayes, a third-generation member of the International Alliance of Theatre and Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 720, paints a vivid portrait of his family’s history in the entertainment industry. From his father to his uncles, his family helped build the infrastructure of early showbiz Las Vegas.
IATSE Local 720 has represented the men and women behind the Las Vegas entertainment industry since 1939, growing from nice founding members to over 4,000 technicians today. Hayes’ father, John, worked at The Mint, a historic venue where Craig also launched his career. Over more than 40 years, Craig worked on over 20,000 shows, serving in various roles, including stagehand, stage tech, carpenter, technical director, audio engineer, lighting designer, high rigger, scenic artist, and more. His extensive experience made him a key player in all types of productions.
A Family Legacy
At the heart of It’s Showtime! is Craig’s family story, starting with his grandfather, Leander Hayes, who moved to Boulder City, Nevada, in 1939 and then to Basic (now Henderson) in 1943. In 1944, Leander became associated with IATSE Local 720 as a union representative. He famously made a handshake deal with Ben “Bugsy” Siegel, ensuring that Local 720 would provide stagehands and technicians for Siegel’s new Flamingo Hotel, laying the foundation for the family’s long-standing role in Las Vegas entertainment.
From these beginnings, the Hayes family grew into a dynasty in the Las Vegas entertainment industry. Leander’s six sons, including Craig’s father, built careers as stagehands, lighting technicians, carpenters, and sound designers, working on some of the city’s most iconic shows. Craig recounts these stories, offering readers an intimate look at the behind-the-scenes world of Las Vegas productions.
The Price of Dedication
While It’s Showtime! highlights the triumphs of the Hayes family, it also explores the personal challenges that come with such dedication to the industry. Craig candidly shares how the demands of his career ultimately affected his personal life, leading to the breakdown of his marriage. Long hours, relentless schedules, and time away from family are recurring themes in the book, showing the real cost of success in this field.
A Unique Perspective
One of the most compelling aspects of the book is Craig’s perspective as both a participant and observer of Las Vegas history. From restoring Elvis Presley’s old stage at the Las Vegas Hilton to recalling his time running audio at a Scout Jamboree when he was just 10 years old, Craig’s stories span decades of Las Vegas showbiz.
It’s amazing how much you can learn and how fast you can learn it when the pressure valve is opened up,” said Craig of his day as a youth at the convention center.
Craig joined Local 720 at age 15, starting at The Mint Hotel and Casino, where his father had also worked.
“His favorite entertainer to operate a follow spotlight for was Frank Sinatra,” Craig said of his father. “John worked many a night at the Sands Hotel and Casino when the ‘Rat Pack’ was the must-see show in Las Vegas.”
These early experiences shaped both of their careers, which saw them contribute to some of the biggest and most complex productions in the city known as the ‘Entertainment Capitol of the World.’
Craig’s wide-ranging expertise, from technical direction to lighting design and beyond, allowed him to adapt to the evolving needs of the industry. His versatility and hands-on experience made him an indispensable part of many productions, both large and small, and he witnessed firsthand how the entertainment scene grew into the spectacle it is today.
Conclusion
It’s Showtime! is more than just a memoir; it’s a behind-the-scenes look at the technical backbone of Las Vegas entertainment. Craig Hayes’ dedication to his craft and his family’s legacy in the industry shines through in every chapter. The book is an insightful read for anyone interested in the technical side of show business or the history of Las Vegas. For those considering a career in the entertainment industry, it offers both inspiration and a candid look at the challenges that come with the job.
“It has been said, ‘If you find a career you love, you will never work another day in your life.’ I am fortunate enough to have found such a career,” Craig said.
