Name: Keenan Buckley
Hometown: Summit, NJ
Year: Freshman
Major: Musical Theatre
Class, eat, shower, homework, rehearsal, more homework…sound like fun yet? I got to sit down and talk about the life of a Musical Theatre major with Keenan Buckley, a freshman in the program at IC. His first and most recent role was Charles the wrestler in As You Like It, a character he described as a pompous sadist (in the beginning of the show…we don’t want to spoil the end!). Now, if you’ve ever met Keenan, you’d probably be wondering how a guy as down-to-earth as him could ever portray a character like that—acting, my friends. Read on to know how he does it all!
HC Ithaca: What was your first production at IC like?
Keenan Buckley: It was incredible. I mean we put up a Shakespeare in three and a half weeks. I wasn’t used to everyone working in such a professional manner and everybody just coming in and bringing their a-game. I feel like that’s what this show is really about. Catherine, our incredible director, came in and she had a vision. Everybody just came in and brought their a-game and gave it their all. I think that’s why we were able to put this up so quickly and so well.
HCIC: What’s the most challenging part of acting?
KB: I think definitely the most challenging part is when you’re in a long run. Recreating a story every night and keeping it fresh. Letting the show have a natural evolution to it.
HCIC: What’s the most rewarding aspect of being in a show?
KB: I think when you go out there and you perform, it’s definitely very rewarding to see the payoff of all of the work that you did. It’s very rewarding to see the final product of this whole process that a whole lot of blood, sweat and tears went into. And to see the end result is very rewarding.
HCIC: What’s the day in the life of a musical theatre major like?
KB: Um…stressful—we have a lot of classes and there’s a lot of pressure. I feel like we’re kind of like a family. We spend so much time together. We all help each other get through the stresses of the day and the struggles that we have to go through as such busy students. There’s a lot of work that we have to put in, but it’s very rewarding.
HCIC: When did you become interested in performing and decide to major in musical theatre?
KB: It’s sort of the family business. My mom was a union actress and opera singer…I guess I really became interested when I was about nine, and when I was about 10 or 11, I decided that this is what I want to do with the rest of my life. But I sort of always had the option because it’s what my family does and I decided to pursue it very young.
HCIC: I’ve heard a lot of people compare IC’s productions to that of Broadway and professional theatre. Did you see a big difference between past high school/community productions that you’ve done and As You Like It?
KB: Oh, a hundred percent. I mean just the level of professionalism that you have when you walk in the door is completely different than say, a community theatre production. Especially because Ithaca is a very renowned school for this and its very competitive to get in. While you’re here you really need to pull your weight. Everybody comes in ready to work. There’s no lollygagging or side conversations interrupting rehearsal. Everyone’s here to work. They want to do their job and get it done.
HCIC: What do you like to do in your free time at IC?
KB: I follow politics pretty closely and current events. I love history and I like to go hiking. In the summers, when I get the chance I like to surf and just hang out with my friends and family.
HCIC: Do you have any advice for anyone who’s interested in pursuing a career in theatre?
KB: Just work hard, everyday.