Grasshopper, Andover’s largest annual performing arts show, will be relocated to Snyder Center (Snyder) this year following the closure of Tang Theatre (Tang) for renovations. Along with many other logistical changes, the school will bring in an external crew called AE Event Systems to construct a stage in Snyder before the performance.
The Snyder venue will have an estimated capacity of 1,000 attendees each night, according to Kareem Lewis, Instructor in Dance and Advisor for Grasshopper. Grasshopper Tech Producer Allison Lee ’28 expressed support for Snyder as a location, but mentioned that the Tech Producers’ roles had been reduced due to this change.
“I personally thought that Snyder made sense for the location. The only other options would be the Pan [Athletics Center] or Falls Music [Center]. Both of those are just a little too small for all the groups or the audience that Grasshopper deserves. [The Cochran Chapel would be] such a pain with all the pews. So ultimately, Snyder is probably the best choice,” said Lee.
Lee continued, “They are actually going to bring in adults from the company that’s building the stage to do the technical work. So unlike previous years, we’re not actually going to be able to have students who are running lights or running spots, or sound, which is a little bit disappointing, but our responsibilities are going to be more so just about the show. I’d love to be able to bring more students in, but that’s just not going to happen this year as much as I’d hoped to.”
The location change will also mean slightly different seating arrangements for the performance. According to Lee, the audience seats will not be elevated, but the stage will be.
The Office of Physical Plant (OPP) handled much of the coordination process with AE Event Systems. Joseph Lobuono, the Director of Facilities, detailed OPP’s contributions.
“OPP’s role was to price out from three companies the stage, lights, sound for the event. It was based off the outline and needs requested from the Theater Department and Grasshopper team. I had all contractors come to campus and see the space and walked [through the] schedule. From there companies sent pricing based off [the] walk through,” wrote Lobuono in an email to The Phillipian.
Robert Lazar, Chair of the Theater and Dance Department and one of the faculty advisors for Grasshopper, noted Snyder’s large capacity as a reason for its selection.
“During the night of Grasshopper in the past, we’ve had to turn people away, and that never felt good. We want to have as many people as possible [to] have access to [Grasshopper]. We were like, ‘What’s a venue that would enable more people to come and see the show?’At one point, Snyder was suggested. We could set up a lot of chairs in here. Hopefully, a larger crowd will bring more energy and that the whole vibe will be more positive, gracious, and accepting,” said Lazar.
Students expressed mixed opinions on this move. Ashley Zhu ’29, an attendee of last year’s Grasshopper, discussed her concerns about the larger location’s effect on the atmosphere.
“I went with my parents and we sat on the balcony. Tang is a relatively small theater, but it builds up, so it feels more engaging because everyone’s close together. Normally Tang’s all dark, except the stage. Snyder is such a large building with so many windows. Especially with echo, it might be difficult [to hear],” said Zhu.
Breanna Ren ’29, Dance Producer for Grasshopper, explained that the construction of a new stage will shorten performance rehearsal time. As a result, student organizers will take on extra responsibilities.
“The stage is built the Wednesday of the week of the performance, and the performances are on Friday and Saturday. We have two days to rehearse. It’s a lot more work on our part, making sure that everything goes smoothly and nothing disastrous happens, also making sure that people feel comfortable performing in a space so impromptu,” said Ren.
Having enjoyed the backstage experience as a Grasshopper performer in the past, Hannah Jung ’28 expressed concerns about the new offstage area and how it might impact the backstage atmosphere.
“I really liked how there was a backstage area with mirrors for performers to prepare, and how each time someone finished their act, we could see them on the live television. They’d come down into the basement and we’d cheer them on. I have a feeling that that kind of energy is gonna feel very different this year because it might not exist,” said Jung.
LoBuono stated that the backstage setup in Snyder will include a greenroom with pipes and drapes for acts to wait before they perform. However, student performers and producers were not informed of this structure, according to Ana Calvo ’28, another Tech Producer for Grasshopper.
“We’re hoping that we’ll have a good backstage… It will be a shock to all the groups, and even all the producers, when we get to that stage, because we don’t know [what it looks like] beforehand. Hopefully the rehearsals in Pan [Athletic Center] and the studios will help us prepare,” said Calvo.
Despite the move’s impacts on performer and attendee experience, Lewis shared that certain aspects of the old venue will be preserved during the construction of a new stage.
“Since we have an outside company, they’re going to be responsible for providing all the materials to set up the stage… Because it’s a completely new venue, [performers will] have to adjust to the changes in Snyder. One thing that we wanted to make sure of is that [the stage] will be the same size as Tang so that it could accommodate all the dancers and musicians [like] in the past,” said Lewis.
