A New Role: A Bigger Stage
Theatre Harrisburg’s Stosh Snyder talks about his new position as Executive Director
Stosh Snyder
On May 14th, Theatre Harrisburg named Stosh Snyder as its new Executive Director. Snyder, a familiar face both on Harrisburg-area stages and on your TV screen (if you remember him as the “Price Comparison” guy for a series of Wal-Mart commercials), brings a unique combination of performance and professional experience to the position.
Snyder took a few minutes to speak with Ghost Light to offer some insight into his goals and enthusiasms for the theatre, and little bit of insight into his feelings about this decidedly new role.
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GL: You’ve been involved with Theatre Harrisburg – on and off stage -- for more than half of your life. What made you want to take on a leadership position?
SS: I love theatre and the arts. I have been involved in performing since I was 7 years old and has been passion of mine ever since. This new position will allow me to be the face and voice of Theatre Harrisburg, which holds such an important place in my performing life. I’ll be promoting our mission of education and our desire to offer first-rate theatre experiences to the Harrisburg Region. I will also be driving fundraising campaigns and keep the organization in the strong financial position it’s in today.
GL: What do you think you bring to the position of Executive Director?
SS: Well, besides understanding the nuts-and-bolts of what is required to put a theatre production together, I’ve been working in sales and marketing for more than 20 years. I think that affords me the knowledge and experience we need to approach the workings of a community theatre from multiple angles and continue the success that Theatre Harrisburg has experienced for over 92 years.
My experiences -- from both a business and a theatre standpoint -- have been worth far more than any college degree or education. I understand the needs of the actors, directors, staff, and patrons so to nurture a positive, valuable experience for anyone who picks up a script or a paint brush, buys a ticket, or donates their money in support of the theatre.
I also want to say that I hope to bring a new sense of community involvement to Theatre Harrisburg. I want to people to understand that we are here to offer people in the midstate opportunities and experiences they may not have elsewhere.
GL: What do you see as your biggest challenge?
SS: I feel like my challenge is to increase our outreach to current and potential donors. We have a great donor base, but there is no question that we can do better in telling the story of how important Theatre Harrisburg is -- culturally, artistically and historically -- to this area. It’s a story worth sustaining.
GL: Do you have a favorite memory of working at Theatre Harrisburg?
SS: My favorite, goose-bump inducing memory happened at the end of one of the performances of Jesus Christ Superstar. The music had ended, and there was dead silence in the entire house. No applause, no cheering, just silence with a few sniffles from the audience. They were so moved by what they had just watched on stage. It was really a magical moment in the theatre. The audience was taken over by emotion. Even though there was dead silence, the energy in the theatre was spectacular.
GL: How about a general all-time favorite theatrical production – can you pick one?
I’m a big Gene Kelly fan. My favorite theatrical production, hands down, is Singin’ in the Rain.