SUMMER DAYS AND SNACK SHACKS: HOW CONOR SHERRY BECAME THE HEART OF A HOMETOWN STORY

BY IRVIN RIVERA

PHOTOGRAPHER: IRVIN RIVERA, FASHION STYLING: STEPHANIE GUTIERREZ
Blazer: D.RT, Shirt: MADEWELL, Shorts: LEVI’S

Conor Sherry steps into the nostalgic and authentic world of "Snack Shack," finding himself deeply connected to his character, AJ, in the quaint streets of Nebraska City—the evocative setting of this coming-of-age film. He describes his immersion into the community that inspired director Adam Rehmeier as a pivotal aspect of his preparation. "From the moment I arrived, everything felt right and clicked," Sherry shares, highlighting how this real-world connection not only enriched his portrayal but also enhanced the film's essence, which is steeped in personal growth and the poignancy of teenage life.

The on-screen chemistry is undeniable, yet it’s Conor's off-screen relationship with co-star Gabriel LaBelle that truly enriches their performance. Prior to filming, Sherry and LaBelle spent weeks engaging with the local community—working at the actual pool snack shack and interacting with locals—which helped foster a genuine friendship. "It felt like summer camp in the best way," Sherry recalls, reflecting the central themes of friendship and community that resonate through the film. As this exclusive interview unfolds, it reveals how Sherry’s unique journey from self-taped auditions during illness to thoughtful reflections on personal and cinematic growth, and his approach to reviving the spirit of a 1990s teenager, converge to mark "Snack Shack" as a defining moment in his burgeoning career.

Necklace: STYLIST ARCHIVES, Shirt: WHEAT, Pant: SCOTCH & SODA, Loafers: VAGABOND

“Use whatever you’ve got in the moment and go with it.”

— -Conor Sherry

Conor, diving into "Snack Shack," can you share the moment you felt you truly became AJ, and how did this role challenge you compared to your previous roles?

Honestly, from the moment I arrived in Nebraska City, everything really felt right and clicked. Shooting in the director's hometown and immersing myself in the space and community that inspired the story was invaluable for my preparation.

The chemistry between you and Gabriel LaBelle is central to the film. How did your off-screen bonding in Nebraska City contribute to that authentic on-screen friendship?

Gabe and I got to spend two weeks hanging out in Nebraska City before filming began. Our time running around the town, working at the real pool snack shack, and hanging out with the locals allowed us the freedom to foster a genuine friendship and dynamic that carried us through the summer. It felt like summer camp in the best way.

Adam Rehmeier’s film is described as a semi-autobiographical, coming-of-age tale. How did knowing this influence your approach to bringing AJ to life?

Adam, our director, was pretty clear from the start that he didn’t want us to do impressions of the real-life people we were portraying; instead, he encouraged us to find our character's voice within ourselves. Drawing from my own experiences growing up and walking the same streets Adam lived on at age 15 helped me to find the rhythm and step into AJs shoes.

Jacket: BLVCK, Shirt: WHEAT

Your path to landing the role in "Snack Shack" is quite unique, with a self-tape audition while battling COVID-19. Could you share more about that experience and what it taught you about resilience in the industry?

To this day, I wonder if having COVID-19 actually helped me book the role. The scene for my audition was when AJ was having an allergy attack, so maybe my tired, dopey look helped. I think this reinforced a lesson one of my mentors taught me: to use whatever you’ve got in the moment and go with it. I was super sick… so I used it the best I could and went with it.

Given your love for YA books and interest in producing content based on them, are there any specific themes or stories you’re eager to explore in future projects?

I think the most exciting thing about reading YA books and developing them for Film/TV is how limitless the possibilities are. I read a lot, so that part came easily. In terms of finding good Young Adult material and stories, well, I’m a young adult, and I am drawn to character-driven stories with unique voices. I have a couple of really cool projects in development in the YA space, each one unique from the others.

Your graduation from UCLA with a degree in sociology is an interesting choice. How do you think your academic background has informed your acting and perspective on storytelling?

I’d say the actual academic work from college impacts my acting very little, but objectively, college has made me a more well-rounded individual, which absolutely informs my work. Since I’ve been a kid, for better or for worse, I've been a total people watcher; Being able to live in LA surrounded by industry people and then go to UCLA with all types of people from all over the world is so insightful. I often learn the most about the human experience from my friends who are not actors or in the industry. UCLA gave me a multitude of authentic real-life experiences and relationships to pull from.

Jacket: BLVCK, Shirt: WHEAT, Pants: D.RT, Loafers: VAGABOND

The film is set in 1991, a time significantly different from today, especially for teenagers. How did you immerse yourself in that era, and what aspects of teenage life then do you wish were still prevalent today?

Luckily for us, Nebraska City NE hasn’t aged much since the 90s. Well, it has technology-wise, but the town looks the same! That, combined with our director's 4.5-hour-long, brilliantly curated playlist of 90s music, was all I really needed to submerge myself into the 90s… and wearing the jorts, I can’t forget the jorts. I do miss the simplicity of teenage life before the age of smartphones.

You’ve described "Snack Shack" as a pivotal moment in your life. Looking back, what specific memory or day on set stands out as defining for you during the filming?

There are so many amazing memories. Being on set every day, I got to see first-hand how hard every single person has to work to make a movie come together. On the final day when we wrapped, it felt like a collective victory for the entire team and highlighted the camaraderie we had developed on set. I am so grateful I got to see day in and day out what it takes to make a film from every aspect so early on in my career.

Sweater: MADEWELL, Pants: HIROMI ASAI, Sneakers: ADIDAS SAMBA

After experiencing the movie screening in San Jose with your family and friends, what was their reaction, and how did it feel to share this accomplishment with them?

The experience in San Jose was surreal. I didn’t grow up wealthy, and most of my enriching experiences as a kid were dependent on financial aid, scholarships, or endless support from my community. The phrase “it takes a village to raise a child” encapsulates my experience growing up. I am so grateful Paramount allowed me the opportunity to thank all of the people who made up my “village” and celebrate Snack Shack.

The dynamic of playing younger characters with Gabriel LaBelle brings a unique set of challenges. How did you approach embodying a teenager while ensuring the portrayal felt genuine?

I was surprised, actually, at how easy it was to settle into the teenager mindset; hanging out and goofing off with everyone in the cast/crew helped a ton, and tapping into my own awkward teenage experiences helped me settle in. Allegedly, or so I’ve heard, my gangly physique was helpful as well– I really wish I had to “transform” to play an awkward teenage boy, but the truth is…. It didn't take much.

Reflecting on your career thus far, including roles in "The Terminal List" and "The Devil You Know," how do you feel these experiences have prepared you for the leading role in "Snack Shack"?

Well, I am incredibly grateful because the shows you mentioned feel like they happened in the perfect order. First, I got to be on a big-budget show with a smaller supporting role, which allowed me to watch Chris Pratt and others lead the project both on and off-screen. And then, shortly after, I was in the Dominican Republic shooting a starring role in the Are You Afraid of the Dark reboot for Nickelodeon, which is where I learned the most about working on camera day in and day out. Without the projects preceding Snack Shack, I am not sure if I would have felt prepared to tackle the sizable role of AJ.

Considering your experience filming on location in Nebraska City, how did the setting and community impact your performance and connection to the story?

Honestly, the welcoming community of Nebraska City and meeting locals referenced in the script grounded the story and added depth to my performance. The genuineness and excitement of the locals instantly grounded Snack Shack and made me realize this movie was much more than just AJ’s story; it was bigger than that.

As an emerging actor, what advice would you give to others about navigating the complexities of the industry, especially when it comes to selecting roles that resonate personally?

Well, I am still a bit new to all of this myself. But I guess I would say to remember that you are and will always be your own biggest advocate. Learn the industry, write down your goals and trust your gut. It’s really not enough to just love acting, you have to love it enough to sort through the mud. Surround yourself with good people and hold onto them, it’s so much fun to share success with those that helped you on your journey.

Images 1, 3: Sweater: MADEWELL, Pants: HIROMI ASAI, Sneakers: ADIDAS SAMBA, Image 2: Jacket: BLVCK, Shirt: WHEAT, Pants: D.RT, Image 4: Blazer: D.RT, Shirt: MADEWELL, Shorts: LEVI’S

The theme of friendship is a cornerstone of "Snack Shack." How has working on this film influenced your view on the importance of friendships in personal growth?

It really made me realize how impactful childhood friends are in our development into adulthood. I reconnected with my best friends from middle school over this movie, and it was surreal. If you’re reading this, it’s a sign to call up a childhood friend, I promise they will be happy to hear from you and share stories you didn’t know you remembered.

Having now been a part of a coming-of-age film that speaks to both past and present teenage experiences, what message do you hope viewers, especially young adults, take away from "Snack Shack"?

Cell phones are evil. Your parents were cooler than you think. And… you gotta risk it for the biscuit.

Blazer: D.RT, Shirt: MADEWELL, Shorts: LEVI’S

What’s a valuable lesson that you’ve learned that you always carry with you?

Never give up. It sounds cliche but in reality, I learned early on that It’s the work you do behind the scenes that matters most. Growing up I saw my Mom’s determination and work ethic to provide for me and my siblings, and she would do it with such grace never expecting any credit. Thanks, Mom!!

Lastly, if you were a book, what book would you be and why?

I hope I don't sound too pretentious saying this, but I'd choose 'The Hero with A Thousand Faces.' It's not just because it's a classic but because it highlights the universal patterns in stories, showing that we're all connected through narrative. It's something that resonates with me deeply, both in my personal life and in my career as an actor. Ultimately, I just want to keep exploring and sharing stories in all their forms.