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The Highly Anticipated New Hop

Students and alumni share their excitement for the grand reopening this October.

Jun 26, 2025

2 minute read

Celeste Gigliotti

Alumni Features Arts and Culture Dartmouth Spirit

Esteemed Alumni on the Hop’s Impact

 

Hear from Shonda Rhimes, Connie Britton, Rachel Dratch, Sharon Washington, and more alumni who found their voices at the Hop.

“I wasn't a theatre major at Dartmouth, but the great thing about Dartmouth is that the arts are open. So a call sheet would go up, and you could sign up for auditions.” 

—Sharon Washington ’81

“I remember walking to the Hopkins Center to get ready for this rehearsal and thinking, ‘I'm the director of this musical.’ We're able to use a real theatre, with all the same lighting equipment, sound equipment, rigging equipment, that the same kind of effort would take on Broadway. And thinking how almost absurd that I had these resources to work with as a 20-year-old.” 

—Timothy O’Leary ’97

“One day, I passed through the backstage section of the Hop. It was on my way back to my dorm. And I saw a sign-up, and I was like, ‘I mean, I could just audition.’ And I put my name down. I was cast in the lead female role. So, that was it.” 

—Connie Britton ’89

Word on the Street with Students

We asked current students to tell us what they’re most excited for in the newly reimagined Hopkins Center.

“To be able to perform somewhere else with cool acoustics.”

”More space. My friend’s Hamlet performance was sold out and I wasn’t able to get tickets.”

“Definitely the Performance Lab. It’ll open up a lot more possibilities for what can be done.”

“I'm just excited to see more emphasis on the arts. I think it'll bring a lot more energy and people to go see shows.”