The snap of a jump rope and the shuffle of dancers’ steps reverberated through Tang Theatre during Grasshopper, Andover’s annual talent show. Families and students leaned forward in their seats, calling out to friends on stage before quieting again as the music changed. Stage lights shifted from one color to the next, catching on sequins and instruments.
This year’s theme, “Through the Decades,” traced a line through time, blending nostalgia and innovation. During the four showtimes and an open dress rehearsal for seniors and faculty, Grasshopper dazzled the audience with diverse acts, offering a chance for performers to share their hard work and skill with the community. Producer Bruce Ru ’28 explained the thought process behind the chosen theme.
“Choosing the theme is an art. It’s about balancing inclusiveness and focus. If there’s no theme at all, the show feels disconnected. But if the theme is too specific, it limits creativity. We chose ‘Through the Decades’ because it gave the show structure while still allowing flexibility. It had a clear chronological idea that helped the acts fit together naturally. The result was a cohesive performance that still felt diverse and creative, which was exactly what we wanted,” said Ru.
Among the stand-out acts included Hannah Jung ’28’s jump-roping routine, which reflected what often defines Grasshopper each year: students bringing something practiced and personal into a supportive space.
“This year for Family Weekend, my grandfather came, and I really wanted to do my best and perform well in front of him and the rest of my family. When we were waiting in the theatre classroom for our turn to go up, there was so much support going around. Every time someone finished their act and came back to the basement once again, everyone cheered. I hoped to inspire people to learn more about the sport of jump rope and maybe join it, because it’s a really new sport with a lot of potential to grow,” said Jung ’28.
A dress rehearsal open only to seniors and faculty took place on Thursday evening, giving the Class of 2026 a more personal chance to experience the show before opening night. Amina Gorman ’26, the lead singer for Goose & Moose and cohead of Keynotes reflected on the bittersweet atmosphere marking her last show.
“The Senior show was definitely my favorite because all of your peers are there. Everyone screams your name when you get on stage. I looked out and saw all my friends recording, and even when we were downstairs in the theater classroom, you could still hear people cheering. It was definitely a bittersweet moment. It felt like a passing-the-torch moment, looking at everyone who’s going to do it next year and thinking, ‘This [show] is yours now.’ I think we did really well, and it was the best final performance I could have asked for,” said Gorman.
Jonathan Oh ’27, another member of Goose & Moose, highlighted his appreciation for the high energy levels from the audience, explaining how loud reactions helped liven his own spirits on stage.
“After the Friday night show, we came off stage, rolled our instruments away, and were all just buzzing with excitement. It felt great to see all of our hard work and coordination pay off in such a rewarding way. The audience’s energy made a huge difference. The Friday 9 p.m. crowd was definitely the most energetic. They were loud, excited, and super responsive. When the crowd is that engaged, it boosts your confidence and makes you want to give even more,” said Oh.
Amidst a lineup of dance and musical routines, Tiffany Zhao ’27’s act stood out as a swords martial art performance, connected to her Chinese heritage. Zhao detailed her preparation process and her love of sparking community and inspiration with her performance.
“I had been working on this piece for the past year, choreographing on my own and practicing daily. I wanted to bring in something a little different, something from my culture, but also expressive and exciting. Even though life gets busy, I try to stay involved in school events because it helps bring people together. That’s really what I hoped this performance could do, add a bit of variety, and maybe even spark some curiosity. If someone left the show feeling a little more inspired or energized, that means a lot to me,” said Zhao.
Between acts, emcee Tina Phan ’26 kept the energy moving, balancing humor with quick improvisation. She matched the same focus and rhythm as the performers she introduced, helping the night’s pace feel continuous and alive.
“It’s my last year here, so I really just wanted to have a good time with a lot of my close friends. I remember watching past [shows] and always thinking the MCs had the coolest role because they had funny puns and really set the tone and mood for the show each year. I wanted to bring that same energy to my last [Grasshopper]. There was a closeness and determination that everyone shared to make this year’s production as energetic and soulful as possible. My voice was literally gone for days because I was screaming so hard for Fusion, Hypno, Azure, and so many others,” said Phan.
As the show wandered ‘Through the Decades,’ Grasshopper 2025 reflected the familiar energy and pulse that has defined the show for years, marking it as a celebration of student talent and campus spirit.
“Some things about Grasshopper never change, like the culture of the MCs and the diversity of acts. But this year felt different because of how it came together. There were some challenges early on, and we had less time to prepare since Family Weekend was a week earlier. Despite that, the team pulled it off. I think this year’s Grasshopper felt like a continuation of a long creative tradition. It was a lot of communication and coordination, but when everything came together, it felt almost magical,” said Ru.
