Keegan Downey might very well have been born into greatness when it comes to the community theater stage. He certainly comes from great stock in both parents, and has clearly learned a great deal from both to the degree that he has been selected for the honor of the Twin City Players Brian Swiger Memorial Scholarship this week.
Downey is a new graduate of Lakeshore High School and the son of award winning community theater players Bill Downey and Lisa Cripps-Downey. His $1,000 scholarship award will go toward his studies this fall at Northern Michigan University where he will study Secondary Education in Social Studies.
Keegan Downey has been active in TCP for many years, wearing a broad variety of hats both on and off the stage and literally taking on whatever project has been asked of him. Keegan is the President & Founder of both the Lakeshore and Bridgman Interact Clubs, a student organization that connects the local Rotary to students who volunteeer and conduct mission trips in the Dominican Republic.
At Lakeshore High School, Downey was also a varsity soccer player and a member of the Lakeshore Drama Club.
The Twin City Players — one of the oldest, continuously operating community theaters in the state of Michigan — established the Brian Swiger Memorial Scholarship in 1996 in memory of former member Brian Swiger. The scholarships are annually earmarked for seniors graduating from Berrien County high schools who had demonstrated a strong interest in theater-related activities during their academic careers. Winners, however, can use the award money to pursue any field of study at any accredited college, university, trade school or arts education institution.
The scholarship is awarded based upon school and community activiites, TCP involvement, grade point average of 2.0 or better and a short essay. The TCP organization was formed in 1932, and is a volunteer nonprofit organization that strives to be recognized for organizational excellence with an abundance of resources, producing irresistable, quality performances in Southwest Michigan. The TCP Playhouse is located at 600 West Glenlord Road in St. Joseph, and new members are always welcome.
For more information about TCP, call 269-429-0400 or click the link to learn more:
