Create. Innovate. Explore. The Theatre District Campaign reached an important milestone this past year with the completion of two key campaign priorities. Funds in the amount of $6,685,933 were raised to complete the construction at 551 Main Street and fully activate The Hanover Theatre Conservatory for the Performing Arts. In addition, administrative offices and two function rooms have been in operation since August 2016. The campaign began to focus on raising the funds needed to complete remaining priorities, which include district enhancement, the redesign of Francis R. Carroll Plaza, and district programming in partnership with other cultural organizations to create an 18-hour-a-day destination. Several events were held in March to inform business partners and leadership donors about the goals of the campaign. Special guest speakers for those events, Congressman James McGovern and City Manager Ed Augustus, expressed full support of the campaign’s vision for revitalization of downtown Worcester.
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he Hanover Theatre’s staff and volunteers have been instrumental in helping the Carroll Plaza design team understand the operational needs of the theatre and its neighbors, and their participation in the design process will help achieve the goals of remaking Carroll Plaza into a public space that will be interesting, inviting and actively used. Stephen S. Rolle, Assistant Chief Development Officer, City of Worcester
From a community perspective, the theatre continued to play a leadership role in the Theatre District Alliance, in partnership with Worcester Business Development Corporation, bringing district stakeholders to the table to address mutual areas of concern such as safety, cleanliness and connectivity. A Theatre District branding campaign was launched and there was enhanced coordination for special events among alliance members. In addition, the Alliance’s advocacy committee began to lay the groundwork for the creation of a Business Improvement District.
The Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts and Conservatory • 2017 Report to the Community • 9
