Scroll down! Read about October 15 and October 18, 2026

 

October 15: Alumni and TCS Drama Club come together!

On Thursday 10/15/26, former thespians Sheryl Rakowski '83, Melanie Cole '83, Michael Kehoe '77, along with Karen Kehoe, George '77 and Gretchen VanValen, came to watch the rehearsal of the newest drama production. Directed by Hope Lewis, this evening was the first of two nights mentoring TCS students. Outreach between alumni and current students is so very important, and part of our mission.

October 18: "A Conversation About Filmmaking", Trumansburg Conservatory of Fine Arts

Award-winning filmmaker and Trumansburg HS graduate Michael Kehoe '77, returned to his hometown of Trumansburg to share stories, insights, and information on how to work in many different aspects of the film industry. The presentation was moderated by Gretchen Van Valen. There was a great turnout of alumni from the '60's, '70's and '80's classes as well as current students of TCS.

Michael’s family moved to Trumansburg, NY, and he was deeply involved in theater, producing, and directing at the age of 16. He attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts as an actor. His first job in Hollywood was as the gym assistant to Sylvester Stallone on Rocky IV (1985). Michael worked in production, and in 1994 he directed a short film titled Second Dance (1994), which became an official selection at the Sundance Film Festival & the Berlin Film Festival. Prism Pictures approached Kehoe to direct an action-adventure script he wrote titled Dominion (1995) in 1995.

Michael formed Taughannock Entertainment and has produced, written, and directed several films and developed, wrote, and directed a television show for the Food Network titled "Catering Impossible," starring Tom Cruise. Kehoe wrote and directed a short film titled "HUSH" that won 34 Awards. Kehoe wrote and directed the feature inspired by the short film that is titled "The Hatred," produced by Malek Akkad (Halloween) and distributed by Lionsgate. 

As part of the mentorship, several students are currently working on a project. Michael Kehoe and Dona Roman the current Conservatory director are also exploring a Film Festival to be held in Trumansburg.