Bohemian Blazers

"If you want to be an actor, then think again." Senior Luke Allen never forgot hearing renowned Shakespearean actor Derek Jacobi say these words. "But if you need to be an actor," Jacobi continued, addressing an audience of young actors, "then good luck."

Allen, who presently acts, sings, plays several instruments, composes for his band as well as for himself and writes prose, takes Jacobi's words to heart.

"I can't see being alive and not making art," Allen says. Currently more interested in acting than in singing, Allen has participated in Blair theatrical productions every year since he was in the ninth grade, taking on the roles of Gavroche in "Les Miserables," Rudy in "Hello Dolly," the Marquis St. Evre Monde in "A Tale of Two Cities," Bottom in "A Midsummer Night's Dream" and Sipos in the upcoming musical "She Loves Me."

This year, Allen performed in the English Speaking Union Shakespeare Monologue Competition. He finished as a finalist for the D.C.-Metro area.

Allen, who will attend New York University's Tisch School of Film, is undecided about a career. But he doesn't let his uncertainty bother him. "In some sense it doesn't really matter what I do when I grow up," he says. "No matter what, I will still make art."

Allen plays guitar, piano, and drums, and he also sings and writes songs. He uses much of this talent with the two-year-old Blair band Contraband. Allen says he writes close to 80 percent of the band's material, which is a mix of rock and roll and funk.

Contraband bass player senior Libby Hemming says she respects Allen as an all-around artist. "He has a style in everything he does that's really natural and very distinct," she says.

Allen says he performs to share with the community. "Art itself is something I'm big about," he says. Allen believes the impulse to share art "is inside everybody, but some people are more excited about using it." He says, "I'm very excited about using it."