ST SEBASTIAN’S

couple of plays. at experience has given me a whole new
appreciation for what Mr. Rogers does every day.
keefe has taken advantage of every opportunity he has been
given to perform over his years at St. Sebastian’s. He says that unlike
other methods of expressing himself, he specifically mentions
writing and song recording as examples, acting on stage gives him
the ability to see the reaction of the crowd.
“I like the idea that anything can happen on stage,” he noted.
“You get to see a different reaction from every audience when you’re
up there. It’s a cool dynamic.”
It’s also a lot of work. Preparing for a play requires weeks of
rehearsals, where a significant amount of time is spent memorizing
lines and learning cues. All along the way, tight friendships and
bonds are formed between the actors as they work with the director
to pull the show together.
keefe found his director, Mr. Rogers, to be very supportive of his
endeavors both in and out of St. Sebastian’s, and he has enjoyed the
feedback and advice Mr. Rogers has offered him.
“Mr. Rogers is truly encouraging as a director,” stated keefe.
“He has allowed me to develop my characters the way I see fit. He
gives me the flexibility to interpret the parts, and he’s always there to
guide me if my portrayal is too far off base. He’s never negative and
he’s very humble and modest.”
Mr. Rogers, conversely, is grateful to have had a student like
keefe in the drama Program. He found his dedication and
commitment to be contagious, and he enjoyed the opportunity to
work with such a talented student. He stated:
“e other day it occurred to me that
Tom wore the same costume in his first show
at St. Sebastian’s (H.M.S. Pinafore) as he did
recently for his last (e Court Martial of
Billy Budd) - bookends for an impressive
array of roles played during his time at St.
Sebastian’s. Over the past several years Tom
has been thrust into the lead role for Arsenic
and Old Lace as a ninth grader, where he did
a great job; was a very funny “Sneaky Fitch”
and won an acting award at the High School
drama Festival; and had a major role in
Ibsen’s drama An Enemy of the People. But
it’s in musicals where Tom really shines. He
is the whole package - he can act, sing, and
dance.”
Outside of St. Sebastian’s, keefe has
participated in a number of theatrical
performances. Most notably, he played the
role of Adam in Children of Eden during the
summer of 2010 and the role of Benjamin in
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor
dreamcoat this past January.
“Last summer I performed with the
Weston drama Workshop, which is a group
for students in grade 9 up to age 23,” he
stated. “I auditioned completely on a whim. ere were a lot of
talented people and I didn’t think I was going to get the part. But I
was called back and, aer a long day of auditions, earned my part in
Children of Eden. at was really cool. en in January I was given
the part in Joseph at the Woodland Company. I was the only high
school student in that production. Both shows were incredible
experiences. I met a ton of people. Many St. Sebastian’s teachers
and students came out to support me. I really appreciated that.”
Our Harvard-bound, multi-talented dynamo thinks that all
students should participate in the arts, whether they act in plays, sing
in a choir, or play in a band. He cites the energy of the audience and
the friendships made as prime reasons to get involved. Realizing
that athletics can offer those same two benefits, he attempts to make
his case in another way.
He noted, “ere are so many opportunities that can come from
the theater and music. Sports are good, and I think everyone should
play sports, but I also think the arts should be given a try. unlike
sports where a person fights to get a position and fights to keep it,
there is no hierarchy in a theatrical production. You’re part of one
big group and each person has a role – a part he can call his own.”
He concluded, “Plus, with sports your window of opportunity to
play can be short due to your skill level, athletic ability, and health.
Your ability to act, sing, or play an instrument, however, can last
your entire life.” n
Tom Keefe as J. Pierrepont Finch in How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying.
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