ECESSITIES
“[They] asked me to run around as a bear, do some head movements and follow another character around and react to them,” Snight explained. “It was a definite ‘jump in and try to swim’ moment.”
That impromptu opportunity has led some to describe him as “the best bear we’ve ever had.”
His passion for theatre started at an early age. The Washington, D.C., native attended a performing arts high school and wanted a place where he could focus on a discipline and experiment in other areas.
Snight was initially a dance education major, but switched to theatre performance.
You’d be hard-pressed to find many Winthrop Department of Theatre and Dance productions during Snight’s tenure that didn’t include him.
Associate Professor of Theatre Stephen Gundersheim worked with Snight on multiple occasions and fondly remembers his willingness to experiment and how he soaked up theatre knowledge.
In Gundersheim’s first musical production at Winthrop, he recalled Snight’s comedic timing and commitment, and he even asked the choreographer to feature Snight in the finale.
“We had him dragged off in handcuffs prior to the number beginning, and then in the middle he came dancing on with handcuffs on and would dance for a dance break and then run off when the crew came on to chase him — a brilliant change that added such pure joy to the number,” he said. “He was a joy in rehearsal and classes and was always looking for more advice and information — a sponge for knowledge.”
Since graduation, Snight has been a stage manager in the D.C. theatre community; performed Silent Shakespeare; played a principal role in ballet; choreographed musicals at all levels; and toured with a children’s theatre group.
“I’ve performed in 100-degree heat, I’ve rigged aerial silk underneath a bridge, I’ve built entire forests out of my students’ imaginations and I’ve done the same show six days a week for five months,” he said. And he has loved it all.
Snight relishes teaching the next generation of artists by day and performing for audiences by night. He credits directing/choreography classes taught by theatre and dance faculty Russell Luke and Mary Beth Young and costume shop work with faculty Janet Gray and Brenda Floyd with teaching him valuable lessons that he now passes on to his students.
Next up for Snight: The Shakespeare Theatre Company’s “The Tempest,” which will involve giant puppets and a sand stage.
“I love working with my students or fellow actors to create things beyond what is written in a script or the synopsis of a well- known story,” Snight said. “I find the joy in living outside of the normal components of theater, which is why I’m enjoying playing with physicality, pushing boundaries and hopefully inspiring some audiences."
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