Grasshopper, Andover’s largest annual performing arts showcase, will once again return to Tang Theater this Family Weekend and adopt its traditional four-show format in Tang Theatre. The Theatre & Dance administration has cancelled their plan to hold a Grasshopper show in the Chapel during All-School Meeting.
The shift back to Tang restores a familiar setup for students and faculty after months of discussion. Initially proposed to improve accessibility and explore future alternatives during Tang’s construction next year, the ASM performance for the Grasshopper aimed to give the show a wider audience during the school day.
Mr. Kareem Lewis, a dance instructor in the Theater and Dance Department, helped oversee the Grasshopper’s planning and the discussion around its new ASM format. Lewis explained the reasoning behind the switch back to hosting Grasshopper in Tang Theater.
“The challenges came down to logistics and fairness. The chapel already had programs scheduled, which meant not all acts could be included, raising concerns about equity and optics. Once those surfaced, it became clear that the classic format would better serve the students and the spirit of Grasshopper this year,” said Mr. Lewis.
Ashiq Kibria ’26, a Grasshopper theatre producer, expects the return to Tang to pose no problems. All acts that were previously excluded under past policies would still be included in the final Tang shows. Since bands and other affected performers had been part of the audition process since it began in early September, the change in venue will not affect the final lineup.
“[After learning about the change to an ASM show,] we were trying to ask students what we could do…We really wanted to make sure all groups who wanted to be in [Grasshopper] could audition first and then figured we’d find a solution,” said Kibria. “By the time we found out that there’d no longer be an ASM show, we had not cut a band yet, so there were no issues related to that [and] now everything’s good.”
For Bruce Ru ’28, another theatre producer, the decision to cancel the ASM show came as a relief. With a record of 24 acts signing up this year—compared to 17 last year—the return to Tang allowed every performer to be well-prepared under the consistent staging conditions.
“Performers who are used to the Tang configuration will now have a chance to showcase their perfected acts in a venue that’s better suited for it. Logistically, it’s going to be much easier because we now have one venue instead of two. We have extra time and space for sound checks, and we don’t have to account for the period between second-period classes. Some acts, like Photon, can’t be fully realized in the chapel, especially because of the lighting limitations,” said Ru.
Some performers expressed no strong preference between the two venues but viewed the change as a positive for the show overall. Ethan Liu ’26, a member of student-run band Goose & Moose, did not take issue with the ASM show, but was joyful that the Grasshopper would stay in Tang, echoing sentiments about familiarity and time.
“I think all the performers feel a huge sense of relief,” said Liu. “[For some students], the ASM show created a lot of pressure, it felt like we were doing five different shows in three nights, and then having to switch everything up for one night. That made us really nervous. The stage is different, the audience is different, and in the chapel it just didn’t feel the same. The energy with the crowd wasn’t as close. So yeah, we’re all just relieved.”
For Liu, the Grasshopper represents more than just a showcase of talent, but rather a moment of unity for the entire Andover community.
“Grasshopper brings everyone closer, no matter what role you play, audience member, performer, whatever. Last year, when Goose and Moose did ‘Walking on Sunshine,’ that was the song stuck in everyone’s head while they left the theater, and even for days and weeks after. Cheering for your friends, hooting and hollering from the crowd, that kind of thing really brings people together. It’s a much-needed event in the fall,” said Liu.
Since news of the change spread across campus, Kibria noted a sense of relief and joy among the whole student body, especially the seniors who would have missed the Senior and Faculty Night showing.
“A lot of people disliked the ASM show in general, and now that it’s gone I’ve heard a lot of praise,” he said. “Campus mood has been a lot lighter, especially as there’s a senior and faculty night, as now that we’re on the normal schedule we’re having a senior and faculty night because we have time for it, which really boosted campus spirits.”
Theatre and Dance Department Chair Robert Lazar explained the thought process behind the ASM show, intending to make Grasshopper accessible to all students. Lazar stressed that both the initial and subsequent updates to the show were made with the best intentions to improve the show for everyone involved.
“These decisions are not made lightly and we always look at, before any decision is made, what the objectives [are]. For example, having the ASM show, it wasn’t just, ‘let’s have an ASM show.’ We’ve heard for years that students want more access. ‘How do we get it?’ Every decision we make is predicated on ‘how do we move things forward?’ It’s super complex and there are a lot of moving parts and pieces, but I think it’s important for people to realize that we look at what’s going to be the best decision. Sometimes you nail it and sometimes you [say], ‘We missed the mark a little bit. How do we improve it for next year?’” said Lazar.
Despite all the changes and various campus reactions in the past month surrounding this year’s Grasshopper, most are simply excited to see the show that has lit up Andover every year since 1990.
“It’s important not to forget the reason we do Grasshopper, or performances in general,” added Liu. “It’s not just a chance to get on stage or audition. It’s a space to show the best version of ourselves. It’s a place where it’s all positive, no competition, just celebrating each other’s unique talents. There’s no other space quite like it.”
With the show’s return to Tang and enthusiasm building across campus, Grasshopper continues to stand as a defining moment of community at Andover.
“[Tang] is designed for performance, so it supports the work students have created at the highest level. Most importantly, it preserves Grasshopper’s identity as a full, shared celebration, a moment when the whole campus comes together around creativity and expression,” said Mr. Lewis.
