As Keene State seniors are experiencing many lasts of their college careers, some have also brought firsts to the college. In late April, the Open Jar Institute awarded senior Kei Eaccarino, a graduating theatre student with a storied history in the program, with the prestigious Open Jar Music Theatre Award. The national honor gives recipients the chance to attend a week-long summer intensive in New York City, led by Broadway performers and directors, according to the Educational Theatre Foundation’s website.
Eaccarino is the first student in Keene State history to receive the national honor, which both he and Theatre and Dance Professor Kirstin O’Brien said they do not take lightly.
“I still can’t fully process it now, but it’s just been such a whirlwind of everything and I never in a million years assumed I would ever make it this far in this kind of thing,” Eaccarino said.
Eaccarino described the process leading up to receiving the award, which began at the Region 1 American College Theatre Festival (ACTF) in Albany, N.Y., as previously reported in The Equinox.
He competed for the scholarship, then got to the finals, then ultimately won Region 1, which he said came as a shock.
The ACTF cut ties with the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts back in December of 2025, citing a misalignment of values under changes brought about by President Donald Trump’s administration, according to CTX Live Theatre. As a result, the competition’s nationals were held virtually, which brought a different, yet still illuminating experience, according to Eaccarino.
“As I went through that, everybody was doing shows for tech and everything, so not a lot of people showed up to workshops. But I was able to make some really great connections, and in my brain I kind of won alone by meeting as many personalities as I could,” Eaccarino said.
Eaccarino starred in seven shows during his time at KSC, and he credited the college’s Theatre Department with getting him to where he is today.
“I’ve learned so much at this school and this department has helped me soar to such great things that I never, ever thought would be possible and it’s just been so incredible,” Eaccarino said.
O’Brien, who has served as a professor, director and mentor to Eaccarino throughout his time at KSC, spoke to his qualities as a performer and student.
“What really drew him to the place that he is in now is the number one, the drive and the instinct that are not taught,” O’Brien said. “He is always in a constant place of work and collaboration, and he wants to meet as many people as he can.”
O’Brien added that Eaccarino possesses a certain truthfulness and honesty behind each song’s storytelling, as well as a consistently high-quality vocal performance.
“He doesn’t approach every project for the win or the award and I believe that’s such a beautiful headspace to be in because he truly just embraced and appreciated every moment of the process that led him to amazingly winning this award,” O’Brien said.
Eaccarino also spoke to O’Brien’s mentorship throughout his college career.
“[O’Brien] has really been the biggest supporter and light at the end of the tunnel for all things I’ve done,” Eaccarino said. “She was the first person to take a chance on me in this department and that hasn’t obviously gone unnoticed.”
Although Eaccarino will be crossing the stage in a matter of days for Commencement, this is not the end of his involvement at the college; far from it.
“He’s agreed to come on and assistant direct the musical that we’re doing in the fall, so I’ll be able to work alongside him in that role, which will be beautiful,” O’Brien said.
Additionally, Eaccarino will be playing Charlie Brown in a summer production of “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown,” directed by O’Brien, taking place in Bellows Falls, Vt.
“It’s a little bit easier for me, personally, because I know it’s not my end-all, be-all last moment working with Kei, but when that moment does come, I’m so ready for him just to take over the world,” O’Brien said.
Nathan Hope can be contacted at
nhope@kscequinox.com
