Criss is best known for his portrayal of Blaine Anderson (2010–present), an openly gay high school student, on the Fox musical comedy-drama series Glee. As the lead vocalist of Glee's Dalton Academy Warblers, Criss' first number, a cover version of "Teenage Dream", became the fastest-selling Glee single, reached number eight on the Billboard Hot 100, and was certified gold in the U.S. The Warblers have sold over 1.3 million tracks, and the soundtrack album, Glee: The Music Presents the Warblers (2011), peaked at number two on the US Billboard 200.
In January 2012, Criss made his Broadway debut, starring as J. Pierrepont Finch in the revival of How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. His stint there proved to be a success: apart from Daniel Radcliffe's final week, the musical had the three most lucrative weeks of its 11-month run with Criss in the lead role, grossing more than four million dollars. In September 2012, he made his feature film debut in the comedy Girl Most Likely.
Criss is an advocate for LGBT rights, and is an active supporter of The Trevor Project, the leading national organization focused on suicide prevention efforts among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) youth. Criss is the recipient of Variety's Power of Youth Philanthropy award for his contributions to The Trevor Project.
@vagueonthehow. Darren Criss and the Dalton Academy Warblers performing on the Glee Live! In Concert! tour in June 2011
Criss is a spokesperson for the Rock the Vote organization and its Democracy Day campaign. On March 23, 2011, he helped launch Democracy Class, a "national high school civics program ... that uses pop culture, video, a classroom discussion and a mock election to teach young people the skills to navigate the elections process and engage as active citizens".
Criss recorded the Bob Dylan song "New Morning", featuring his brother Chuck Criss, for Amnesty International. It was part of the compilation album Chimes of Freedom: Songs of Bob Dylan Honoring 50 Years of Amnesty International, released on January 24, 2012.
On March 8, 2012, Criss was chosen by UNICEF Philippines to represent their organization and accept a $25,000 donation from the Hollywood Foreign Press Association for the disaster relief of Tropical Storm Washi.
On September 20, 2013, in Toronto, Canada, Criss hosted We Day, an annual "youth empowerment" event organized by the Free the Children charity.
Criss has performed at various charity benefits including American Conservatory Theater, AIDS Project Los Angeles, New Conservatory Theatre Center, Toys for Tots, City of Hope National Medical Center, Motion Picture & Television Fund, Public School Arts, MusiCares Foundation, The Old Vic, UCLA's Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, Young Storytellers Foundation, and the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation.
Source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darren_Criss
Further Readings:
Age Range: 12 and up
Grade Level: 7 and up
Hardcover: 144 pages
Publisher: Poppy (May 1, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0316123587
ISBN-13: 978-0316123587
Amazon: Glee: The Official William McKinley High School Yearbook
Straight from Lima, Ohio, The Official William McKinley High School Yearbook is a full-color, completely up-to-date book that captures all the memories of seniors like Rachel Berry, Kurt Hummel, Finn Hudson and their fellow Gleeks.
Featuring tons of glossy photos and exclusive images, the one and only OFFICIAL Glee yearbook will transport you to the halls of William McKinley High School.
Just be sure to watch out for slushies!
More LGBT History at my website: www.elisarolle.com/, My Ramblings/Persistent Voices
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