Worcester Business Journal

wbjournal.com | April 29, 2024 | Worcester Business Journal 23 A R T S & D E S T I N A T I O N S P O W E R 1 0 0 Troy Siebels President & CEO The Hanover Theatre & Conservatory, in Worcester Employees: 53 Residence: Shrewsbury College: University of North Carolina School of the Arts For 20 years, Siebels has led Hanover eatre to be a major cultural destination, bringing high-caliber productions on par with those in Boston and other bigger cities. e theater draws around 200,000 visitors each year, providing an economic bump to area businesses. e Hanover's outreach programs benefit more than 18,000 young people annually, including from Worcester's under-resourced communities. Since 2004, Siebels has seen the project through its formation, infancy, and trans- formation to the centerpiece of the city's eatre District. e former movie theater underwent a nearly $32-million restoration and opened in 2008 as a 2,300-seat state-of-the-art performing arts center. e Hanover purchased a neighboring building in 2014 and began offering classes in dance and acting. In 2020, it launched the THT Rep, presenting its first full season in 2023 at the BrickBox eater at the Jean McDonough Arts Center. Last year, the Hanover saw $9 million in ticket sales and other event income and more than $12 million in total revenue, according to the organization's year in review report to the community. In the summer, the Francis R. Carroll Plaza in Federal Square opened outside the venue, including a performance stage for public events and performances and a public art installation of stainless steel, LED lights, and a misting feature called "Calliope" by artist Ross Miller. Programming on the plaza began last summer and will grow this year with more free performances, with Siebels leading this latest arts and culture offering in downtown Worcester. "e new plaza gives us the opportunity to better serve our community with a greater diversity of performers," Siebels said. - E.M. Henry Tessman General manager Great Wolf Lodge New England, in Fitchburg Employees: 750 Residence: Auburn College: Johnson & Wales University An indoor waterpark destination in Fitchburg may have once sounded like a far-fetched idea, but Great Wolf Lodge New England has proven the concept to be a success. e entertainment destination drew 700,000 visitors in 2023, according to stats data to the WBJ Research Department, making it the third biggest tourist attraction in Central Massachusetts. Great Wolf is a Chicago-based company operating 21 locations across the U.S. Tessman has been at the helm of the company's Fitchburg location since it opened in 2014. In that time he has guided the venue to new growth, leading the charge as it underwent energy-related upgrades and added two new retail stores in 2023. e lodge has more than 15,000 square feet of outdoor event space, 12,443 square feet of conference and meeting rooms, and 406 guest rooms. More than just a waterpark, Great Wolf features an arcade, climbing walls, rope courses, and other attractions to keep kids of all ages occupied. As with many entertainment venues, the coronavirus pandemic was extremely difficult for the lodge, and Tessman was tasked with the difficult job of informing the venue's 700+ employees the lodge would be closing for an unknown period of time. roughout this period, Tessman worked with management to find opportunities for team members at other locations able to reopen earlier. With routine communication and updates, Tessman was able to convince 70% of the lodge's original employees to return once the Fitchburg location reopened. More upgrades are in the works at the lodge, and Tessman has helped the company realize New England is a prime location for its venues, as Great Wolf is opening a location at the Foxwoods Resort in Ledyard, Connecticut. - E.C.

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