Worcester Business Journal

wbjournal.com | Book of Lists 2021 | Worcester Business Journal 9 A D V E R T I S E M E N T T he life and death and rebirth of The Hanover Theatre is very symbolic of what's happened to our city…The theatre has become not only a great cultural magnet drawing people from all over central Massachusetts, but also a catalyst for a whole lot of conversations about what's possible in the city and downtown." - Joseph C. O'Brien, former Mayor of Worcester, 2011 A decade later, The Hanover Theatre and Conservatory for the Performing Arts continues to energize Worcester's downtown cultural scene and has emerged from the pandemic poised for even greater success. For the last fourteen years, The Hanover Theatre has served as a dynamic downtown destination where all are welcome to experience the transformative power of the performing arts. But 2020 brought in-person performances, classes and lessons to a halt. Faced with an existential threat, President and CEO Troy Siebels and his team assessed their options. "We decided to focus on what we could do, not what we couldn't do," said Siebels. "The arts are a lifeline in times of crisis. We are so fortunate to be part of a community that is incredibly supportive of its cultural organizations, and we felt a responsibility to be there for that community in any way possible." Siebels and his staff quickly assessed their operations and, with a combination of artistic ingenuity and 21st-century technology, devised safe and creative alternatives to in-person events. Conservatory classes and lessons went online and later in the pandemic, were supplemented with hybrid online and in-person socially distant instruction. The conservatory's Youth Acting Program staged a Zoom production of Shakespeare's Julius Caesar. The student matinee program went virtual and, in the process, expanded its reach as far as Milwaukee, WI and Houston, TX. THT Rep, the theatre's new in-house company, devised socially distant productions (Edgar Allen Poe Double Header) and created A Christmas Carol Reimagined, an innovative virtual production of THT's annual holiday tradition in the pared down setting of the BrickBox at the JMAC. Still to come is Shakespeare's Julius Caesar on Worcester Common, a series of free, fully staged performances that is THT's gift to the community, in partnership with the city and the Downtown Worcester BID. As they prepare to welcome live audiences for the first time since March 2020, Siebels and his team are focused on lessons learned and challenges that are still ahead. "Like cultural organizations everywhere, we experienced catastrophic revenue losses. We made some difficult decisions but also made the choice to invest in the staff we needed to help us emerge from the pandemic stronger than before. 2020 was a year of growth and reevaluation." One priority that emerged was an organization-wide commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging. THT's board and staff believed that the organization could and should do a better job of welcoming and reflecting the diverse community they serve, and that doing so was a critical investment in the theatre's long-term sustainability. Lisa K. Condit, vice president of communications, noted that the hard work, patience, persistence and planning of all the theatre's staff has culminated in a strategy to reopen safely while continuing to provide an exceptional patron experience. She anticipates a strong return to live programs, productions and concerts as the theatre community begins a full reopening. "We believe strongly in the need for arts and culture in today's world, and we are full of optimism for the years ahead," Siebels said. n Raising the Curtain Again Street Address: 2 Southbridge Street, Worcester, MA 01608 Phone Number: 877.571.SHOW (7469) Website: TheHanoverTheatre.org Product or Service Description: Performing Arts Center and Conservatory Number of Employees: 27 Head of Company and Title: Troy Siebels, President and CEO Year Founded: 2007 THE HANOVER THEATRE AND CONSERVATORY FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS P H O T O S / T H E H A N O V E R T H E A T R E F O R T H E P E R F O R M I N G A R T S " Stills of Steve Gagliastro, Taavon Gamble, Mark Linehan, Annie Kerins, Keisha Gilles, Michael O. Afriyie & Clara Cochran from A Christmas Carol Reimagined, December 2020.

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