On the Balch Arena stage, rehearsing for the Drama Department's production of The American Century, senior and Beelzebubs president Marty Keiser exudes the same energy and charisma that he does when performing in Goddard chapel as a member of the all-male a cappella group. And this is after a long day of being a student, a Bub, and now an actor.
Century is Keiser's third and final Tufts production - he has previously been seen in Jesus Christ Superstar and The Merry Wives of Windsor. But this graduate-to-be doesn't consider acting isn't his claim to fame at Tufts. "I haven't done enough for acting, I'm definitely more recognized as a Bub," he said.
Keiser's typical day begins with some yoga; he is currently enrolled in a University course, and has become involved in the daily structured meditation. Then he takes his morning shower, where he sings, warming up his vocal chords for the day.
"I'm sure anyone who lives near me can hear," he says jokingly. "I think everybody sounds best in the shower."
But some Bubs fans may be surprised to hear Keiser's shower selections. "I'm not a huge fan of a cappella music, but I do like performing it," he says. Keiser is more in favor of rock music, as reflected in many of his solos, mainly rock songs like "The Impression That I Get" by the Mighty Mighty Bosstones or his favorite, "The Letter" by Joe Cocker, which he first sang as a sophomore.
And in the future, Keiser would much rather be a rock star than a member of a professional a cappella group. If he's not acting, he'll be a rock star he says, reminiscing about the hardcore rock band that he was in during high school in Medford, NJ.
Marty grabs some breakfast on the way to class (usually late, he says) and heads off to complete his double major in drama and psychology. According to Keiser, for him drama comes first. "Acting is more of what I want to do," he says.
But although studying psychology is more of a second interest to Keiser, he does recognize a connection between the two areas of study.
"[Psychology classes are an] interesting way to understand people and help with character studies and acting," he says. Keiser plans on pursuing an acting career after college either in Philadelphia or New York.
After classes and lunch with friends, Keiser typically has work at an after school program through the Malden YMCA or a Bubs practice in Curtis Hall, depending on the day. But on this particular day, the Bubs have a concert at Boston Private Bank in the Financial District. The gig came from Bank CEO and Bubs founder himself, Tim Vaill.
At the "extravagant" downtown bank, the Bubs entertained the bank's employees with a slightly altered set from what they normally play for a college crowd.
"You have to change around sets, tailor to the audience," Keiser says. "You don't want to be screaming Linkin Park to a bunch of old people." Nevertheless, he and the Beelzebubs sang the raucous "In the End," as well as a Beatles medley.
Living a constantly hectic life, Keiser admits that there have been drawbacks to pursuing his extracurricular activities with so much energy. "I have not been the best student," he says.
But there are also the rewarding influences the Beelzebubs have had on Keiser's time at Tufts. For one, there are the changes to Keiser's voice after singing regularly for four years.
"I haven't had music lessons or voice lessons - the Bubs is a voice lesson. Singing with these guys, my range has grown immensely," Keiser says. But increasing his range has not come without significant abuse to his voice, caused by some of his trademark rock solos.
But perhaps the most significant way the Beelzebubs has shaped his entire Tufts experience is that that the singing group also doubles as a group of some of his best friends.
"We're very close friends. When you spend so much time with them you develop a strong sense of connection, they become your close, if not closest friends." Being on the road together for long periods of time, the group bonds and feels closer to the University as they compare it to the many other colleges they see on tour.
"[Being in the 'Bubs] incapacitates having a big social life on campus, but I don't think I would've done it differently," Keiser says.
At the end of his fourth year at college, after a whirlwind day that he began as a student and now finishes with his projected future as an actor, Keiser is in the Balch Arena Theater for a rehearsal that goes until 11 p.m. Yet his distinct, recognizable voice still resonates. He delivers his lines as the character Thomas Kilroy without any loss of zeal, despite his long day.
"I have a comfort level on stage," Keiser said after rehearsal. "I like to perform."
