WALPOLE FOOTLIGHTERS
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  • ​Kathleen R. Hardigan Memorial Scholarship
    • 2025 Scholarship - Macy Cyr
    • 2025 Scholarship - Lauren Velasco-O'Donovan
    • 2025 Scholarship - Maggie Dornisch
    • 2025 Scholarship - Francesca Goodsell
    • 2024 Scholarship - Alexandra Richardson
    • 2023 Scholarship - Rishabh Nevatia
    • 2022 Scholarship - Sophia Goodsell
    • 2021 Scholarship - Mahoney Cyr
    • 2021 Scholarship - Brenna Hughes
    • 2021 Scholarship - Cate Lightbody
    • 2018 Scholarship - Riley Mulroy
    • 2017 Scholarship - Mia Straccia
    • 2016 Scholarship - Bridget Connell
    • 2015 Scholarship - Marc Sheehan
    • 2014 Scholarship - Michael McKeon
  • Dan Sheehan Lifetime Achievement Award
  • In Memoriam
    • Bill Bowen 1952-2024
    • Rosemary Mitchell 1944 - 2022
    • Kathleen Hardigan 1970 - 2022
    • Marge Scholz 1930 - 2021
    • Bruce Hainsworth 1923 - 2020
    • Rich Morton 1948 - 2019
    • Gene Guidi 1937 - 2019
    • Parker Chick 1932 - 2018
    • Barbara Pettis 1936 - 2017
    • Roger Pettis 1939 - 2016
    • Rita Rosano 1931 - 2016
    • Ceil Koziol 1922 - 2012
    • Joseph P. Scholz 1926 - 2008
    • Tom Svingen 1935 - 2006
    • Ed Kanter 1931 - 2004
    • Harry Harding 1904 - 2002
    • Sam Greiff 1921 - 2002
    • Sue Bennett Fielding 1928 - 2001
    • Eleanor "Soosie" Harding 1906 - 1999
    • Angelo "Beebe" DeFlaminis 1916 - 1998
    • John F. Ryan, Ph.D 1908-1982
    • John Goss 1887-1963
  • Walpole Footlighters Privacy Policy

2014 Scholarship Recipient
Michael Kieran McKeon

When I first began doing theatre, I had no idea about the impact it would have on my life. What, at first, seemed like a fun activity would prove to be the path to my maturity. The lessons I've learned through the productions I've done over the years have made me who I am today and prepared me for the world ahead.

I've learned the rejection is inevitable, but that's ok. The important thing is to not let that rejection define you. Auditions are a part of theatre and with auditions there is the unavoidable fact that there will be rejection. In sixth grade, I auditioned for Walpole Children's Theatre and was devastated to be sent home without a part. Being an immature kid, it was hard for me to understand the circumstances for this rejection. Two years later I built up the courage to audition again and was ecstatic to be cast as a ballroom guest in their production of Cinderella. In this show, I made the best friends of my life and realized something very important: I never would have met any of these people had I let my first rejection define me. As in theatre, my life will have disappointments. Theatre has taught me not to dwell on these letdowns, but rather to embrace them. As long as I move on and learn something, I have done my job as a growing adult.

Perhaps the most important thing I have learned from theatre is that I am not alone, nobody is. It's kind of funny how a cast can transform from complete strangers to a family in a span of a few months. I was recently in The Sound of Music with the Hingham Civic Musical Theatre. We had a successful first weekend of shows and were getting ready to do it all again when I unexpectedly lost my father. This was, without a doubt, the hardest thing I have ever experienced and I quickly realized that I had a second family helping me through it. Although the cast was filled with strangers just a couple of months before, I found myself surrounded by a support group helping me through this terrible time. With the cast's aid I performed in the second weekend of shows. In addition to those involved with this show, I found I was receiving support from other groups, such as Walpole Children's Theatre and WHS Drama. It was truly inspiring to me to see so many people had made an effort to support me in such a tough time and it was then that I realized my family and I were not alone. We had a huge family of theatre friends who would help us get back on our feet.

Theatre is more than a hobby; it prepares you for the future. It teaches you about character and teamwork. It shows you how the other half lives. Most importantly, it ensures that you are not alone, even in the hardest of times.

Michael McKeon (seventh from left) in ​Urinetown.
Privacy Policy
Playhouse: 2 Scout Rd, East Walpole, MA
Mail: PO Box 189, Walpole, MA 02081
Box Office: 508-668-8446
Copyright © The Walpole Footlighters
  • Home
  • Plan Your Visit
    • Snow Policy
  • About Us
    • Calendar
    • Auditions >
      • Information for Cast and Crew
      • Audition Tips
      • Children's Theatre
    • Past Productions >
      • 2024-2025 Season
      • 2023-2024 Season
      • 2022-2023 Season
      • 2021-2022 Season
      • 2020-2021 Season
      • 2019-2020 Season
      • 2018-2019 Season
      • 2017-2018 Season >
        • Savannah Slide Show
        • Radium Girls Slide Show
        • Lucky Stiff Slide Show
      • 2016-2017 Season >
        • Great American Trailer Park Slideshow
      • 2015-2016 Season >
        • Charlie Brown Slide show
      • 2014-2015 Season
      • 2013-2014 Season
      • 2012-2013 Season
      • 2011-2012 Season
      • 2010-2011 Season
      • 2009-2010 Season
      • 2008-2009 Season
      • 2007-2008 Season
      • 2006-2007 Season
      • 2005-2006 Season
      • 2004-2005 Season
      • 2003-2004 Season
    • COVID-19 Protocols
    • Harassment Policy
    • History >
      • 90th Anniversary Slide Show
    • Accessibility and Inclusion
  • Tickets
    • FAQ for Subscribers
    • Ticket Exchanges
    • Playhouse Seating Chart
    • Card to Culture
  • Members
    • Members Handbook
    • Member Mingle
    • Production Schedule Checklist
    • Program Book Checklist
    • Tax Laws
    • Board of Directors
    • Play Selection Committee
    • Board of Directors Job Descriptions >
      • President
      • Vice-President
      • Secretary
      • Treasurer
      • Public Relations Manager
      • Facilities Manager
      • Publications Manager
      • Member at Large
      • Social Media Manager
      • Play Selection Committee Chair
      • Box Office Manager
      • Subscriptions Manager
    • Walpole Footlighters Bylaws
  • Support Us
    • Backers Program >
      • Walpole Footlighters 2024-2025 Backers
      • Walpole Footlighters 2023-2024 Backers
      • Walpole Footlighters 2022-2023 Backers
      • Walpole Footlighters 2021-2022 Backers
      • Walpole Footlighters 2020-2021 Backers
      • Walpole Footlighters 2019-2020 Backers
      • Walpole Footlighters 2018-2019 Backers
      • Walpole Footlighters 2017-2018 Backers
      • Walpole Footlighters 2015-2016 Backers
    • Advertise with Us
    • Volunteer and Learn >
      • Usher Guidelines
  • ​Kathleen R. Hardigan Memorial Scholarship
    • 2025 Scholarship - Macy Cyr
    • 2025 Scholarship - Lauren Velasco-O'Donovan
    • 2025 Scholarship - Maggie Dornisch
    • 2025 Scholarship - Francesca Goodsell
    • 2024 Scholarship - Alexandra Richardson
    • 2023 Scholarship - Rishabh Nevatia
    • 2022 Scholarship - Sophia Goodsell
    • 2021 Scholarship - Mahoney Cyr
    • 2021 Scholarship - Brenna Hughes
    • 2021 Scholarship - Cate Lightbody
    • 2018 Scholarship - Riley Mulroy
    • 2017 Scholarship - Mia Straccia
    • 2016 Scholarship - Bridget Connell
    • 2015 Scholarship - Marc Sheehan
    • 2014 Scholarship - Michael McKeon
  • Dan Sheehan Lifetime Achievement Award
  • In Memoriam
    • Bill Bowen 1952-2024
    • Rosemary Mitchell 1944 - 2022
    • Kathleen Hardigan 1970 - 2022
    • Marge Scholz 1930 - 2021
    • Bruce Hainsworth 1923 - 2020
    • Rich Morton 1948 - 2019
    • Gene Guidi 1937 - 2019
    • Parker Chick 1932 - 2018
    • Barbara Pettis 1936 - 2017
    • Roger Pettis 1939 - 2016
    • Rita Rosano 1931 - 2016
    • Ceil Koziol 1922 - 2012
    • Joseph P. Scholz 1926 - 2008
    • Tom Svingen 1935 - 2006
    • Ed Kanter 1931 - 2004
    • Harry Harding 1904 - 2002
    • Sam Greiff 1921 - 2002
    • Sue Bennett Fielding 1928 - 2001
    • Eleanor "Soosie" Harding 1906 - 1999
    • Angelo "Beebe" DeFlaminis 1916 - 1998
    • John F. Ryan, Ph.D 1908-1982
    • John Goss 1887-1963
  • Walpole Footlighters Privacy Policy