Thomas S. Perakos ’69 to Speak at 175th Commencement Exercises

Perakos fell in love with theatre and the arts from childhood. He began acting and singing with the Connecticut Repertory Theater before arriving as a student at Gunn, where he was president of the Glee Club, sang in Vesper Choir, and co-starred in the musical, “Brigadoon.” As a sophomore, he received the Edward Fuller Barnes Memorial Award for embodying the qualities of cheerfulness, courtesy, and friendliness. As a senior, he was awarded the English Speaking Union International SchoolBoy Fellowship. He graduated from Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut, and soon thereafter became CEO of the Circle Showcase Theater Corporation in Washington, D.C., the largest mid-Atlantic movie theatre circuit.

In 1986, he started his own business, Theatrical Entertainment Services (TES). By 2001, TES became the largest international motion picture trailer tracking and research services company, with exclusive contracts with most of the major global film distribution companies.

Subsequent to this, Perakos became a theatrical producer in London. His first theatrical co-production was Elton John’s musical, “Billy Elliot.” He went on to serve as a co-producer of “A Moon for Misbegotten,” which opened in London’s West End before its successful Broadway run in 2007. Since then, Perakos has been involved in more than 50 theatrical productions worldwide, including the Tony and Olivier Award-winner for Best Play, “War Horse,” the Gloria Estefan musical — “On Your Feet,” “Tina — The Musical,” “Something Rotten,” and the revival of “Dreamgirls.” 

Perakos co-produced the revival of “Carousel,” which was nominated in 2018 for 11 Tony Awards, including Best Revival of a Musical. At that same 2018 Tony Awards ceremony, Perakos accepted his first Tony — as co-producer of “The Band’s Visit” — wearing a Gunn alumni pin on the lapel of his tuxedo as he stepped on stage. “The Band’s Visit” won 10 of its 11 nominations in all, including Best Musical. One day earlier, during what he told the Hartford Courant was his “miracle” weekend, Perakos was in Washington, Connecticut, to celebrate the groundbreaking of the new arts building that would bear his name, and accept his nomination into the Arts and Letters Hall of Fame at Gunn.

Perakos is the namesake donor of the 32,000-square-foot, LEED-certified Thomas S. Perakos Arts and Community Center (TPACC). It houses the 415-seat state-of-the-art Tisch Family Auditorium. In addition, it houses classrooms, rehearsal, and community spaces as well as the Perakos Family Cares Art Gallery. The gallery was dedicated by Perakos, his family, and the Class of 1969 in celebration of their 50th reunion and to honor beloved teacher and coach Wallace H. Rowe III H’57 P’77 ’79. 

In addition to housing the school’s vibrant visual and performing arts programs, TPACC — the gift that keeps on giving — has played host over the past five years to an impressive range of regional arts events, including the renowned Litchfield Jazz Festival, celebrating its 30th anniversary this year; a retrospective exhibition featuring the work of American Abstract expressionist painter Cleve Gray; and Pilobolus Ball Weekend, which was part of the Emmy Award-winning dance company's 50th anniversary celebration in 2022. It is also where “Common Ground with Jane Whitney,” a nationally syndicated PBS public affairs program, is filmed, bringing expert panelists representing a variety of viewpoints to Gunn to discuss some of the country’s most critical issues and ideas. Perakos’ vision and dream from 2009 are now a reality. Since the opening of TPACC, the school has experienced more than 70% growth in applications, allowing for consecutive years of record enrollment performance.

Among his philanthropic endeavors, Perakos has supported the Sun Valley Music Festival, located near his home in Idaho. In 2018, he proudly produced its “Salute to America the Beautiful,” a three-day event that concluded with a fireworks display and full orchestra concert, starring Tony Award-winners Sutton Foster and Brian Stokes Mitchell. Proceeds benefited the Sun Valley Music Festival’s educational outreach programs to students and scholarship funding, with additional donations to Sun Valley charities and New York’s Entertainment Community Fund. The Perakos Family Cares Foundation supports innovative programs that promote wellness, goodness, and kindness to others, with a focus on arts and culture, animal welfare, and the health and safety of children and young adults.

Gunn’s 175th Commencement
The Frederick Gunn School will graduate 104 students, representing 16 states and 11 countries, in the Class of 2025. This year marks the 175th anniversary of the school’s founding in 1850 by Frederick Gunn, a pioneering educator, courageous abolitionist, and rugged outdoorsman, who is recognized by the American Camp Association as the founder of recreational camping in the United States.

Commencement Exercises will begin promptly at 10 a.m. on campus. The ceremony is open to students, faculty, family members, and invited guests only, as seating is limited. All families are asked to check in with a staff member upon arrival to be directed to their seats. Parking is available on campus for families and invited guests, and attendants will be available on-site to assist visitors and direct traffic. For those who are unable to attend in person, the event will be live streamed. Please refer to the 2025 Commencement page of our website on May 25 for the live stream link.

Head of School Emily Raudenbush Gum will welcome guests and present the school’s three top prizes: The Gunn Cup, the Brinsmade Prize, and the Head of School’s Prize. Prior to the granting of diplomas by Associate Head of School Seth Low P’26 ’28, the Prefect Addresses will be delivered by Gordon Bennett ’25, Head Prefect, and Martha Ewing ’26, Head Prefect-Elect.

Additional prizes will be presented during the Prize Night ceremony on May 24, 2025. The Prize Night ceremony is open to students, faculty, family members, and invited guests only.

About The Frederick Gunn School
The Frederick Gunn School, founded in 1850, is a co-ed boarding and day school for 330 students in grades 9-12 and post-graduate, located in Washington, Connecticut. Now in its 175th year, the school cultivates independent, critical thinkers who are empowered to Be a Force for Good. Today’s Highlanders are educated to be ambitious citizens, who are courageous in character and always learning, like our founders Frederick and Abigail Gunn.

Media Inquiries
Please direct all media inquiries in advance to Jennifer Clement, Associate Director of Strategic Communication and Marketing, at 860-350-0177 or clementj@frederickgunn.org.