Access to the Arts

Access to the performing arts for our youth is now more important than ever. We partner with the Worcester Public Schools to collaborate with school administrators and teachers on a curriculum-based arts integration program to help expose thousands of students to their first live theatrical performance. Over a period of three weeks, students from two high schools participate in lessons within every subject that incorporate a Broadway musical’s themes, historical and sociological elements, artistic aspects and musical score. The entire student body then attends the show together for free and interacts with the cast in a multitude of ways before, during and after the production. This program is funded in part by the National Endowment for the Arts, The McDonough Foundation, Greater Worcester Community Foundation, Lamoureux Pagano Associates and The 200 Foundation.

Learn more about our Adopt-A-School Program.

Providing access to the arts means more than exposing our youth to the performing arts through attending a performance: it also includes giving them the opportunity to pursue arts education. The Hanover Theatre Conservatory awards over $50,000 in scholarships each year for conservatory classes and youth summer programs. Scholarship awards are application-based and determined by financial need.

Learn more about our Scholarships.

There’s no age too young to introduce our community to the enrichment of the performing arts.  Each year, we provide a lecture and workshop series for gifted and talented middle schoolers at Sullivan Middle School.  Annually, each 6th, 7th and 8th grade group attends a workshop and event at the theatre.

We partner with Worcester Public Schools and the Worcester Education Development Foundation to bring two entire grades (11th and 12th) to the theatre for performances. Both events are tied directly to core curriculum, and in-school workshops are offered by Hanover Theatre Conservatory teaching artists in order to prepare students for the experience. This program is funded in part by the Worcester Education Development Foundation, Worcester Public Schools, Worcester Cultural Coalition, George I. Alden Trust and The Stoddard Charitable Trust.

The performing arts do more than entertain, they ignite creativity and encourage inspiration: two things that students benefit from when infused into their regular schooling. This annual event with Worcester Technical High School allows the entire school population to attend an engaging motivational speaker presentation intended to motivate and focus students during their spring standardized testing season. This program is funded in part by The Hermann Foundation.

Annually, over 16,000 students experience live theatre through subsidized tickets at our student matinees. Each year, we work to provide options for all students, grades K-12. In addition to the live performance, schools are typically offered educational resource guides and additional pre- and post-show experiences to enrich their experience. We also work with Title I schools in the area to ensure all students receive access to the performing arts, regardless of their ability to pay.

Learn more about our student matinees.

In 2017, the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington D.C. selected The Hanover Theatre and Conservatory to participate in the prestigious Partners in Education Program alongside Worcester Public Schools. In 2019, under the Kennedy Center’s guidance, the theatre started facilitating professional development workshops for Worcester Public Schools teachers, providing hands-on training for arts-integrated learning. The Hanover Theatre and Conservatory is the only organization in Massachusetts chosen to participate in this program.

The WYSH (Worcester Youth Speak Honestly) Project is a year-long program that includes creating an original piece of theatre based on their life experiences, a tour of the show to Worcester Public High Schools, a scholarship to take classes in the conservatory and regular meet-ups throughout the year to see Broadway and others show at The Hanover Theatre. This program is designed to give participants a public platform where they get a chance to speak their truths. WYSH is designed to offer young people a transformative experience that fosters leadership, creative agency, an experience of community and belonging through the arts, and an understanding that there is a place for their stories and their unique voices.

This program is funded in part by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency, the Greater Worcester Community Foundation and the Worcester Arts Council, a local agency.

The joy and impact of the performing arts are for everyone: which is why we are pleased to offer ASL interpretation at a select number of performances, generously sponsored by FLEXcon. A limited number of audio-described performances are also offered. In addition, The Hanover Theatre hosts a relaxed, sensory-friendly performance of A Christmas Carol every other year for individuals and families impacted by autism.

Learn more about our commitment to accessibility.

The Hanover Theatre is proud to provide opportunities for community and educational enrichment through our Community Fundraising Assistance Program, which supports the efforts of nonprofit organizations by donating a limited number of tickets to performances at our theatre. Requests that meet our guidelines and are granted will receive two tickets to a performance based on availability.

If you would like your organization to be considered for a ticket donation, please visit us on Donation Match. No phone calls, please.

An exciting new project started in 2019 is a dance collaboration with the Seven Hills Foundation Aspire Program in Worcester. The Aspire program was developed to better support individuals with disabilities and other significant life challenges. Our Creative Movement class provides three groups with weekly one-hour classes that are fun and interactive, introduce dance movements and rhythm to increase physical awareness and activity and enhance a supportive environment that increases self-esteem. The groups consist of an all-female class, all-male class and coed class of individuals with extensive mobility impairments. This program is funded in part by the Greater Worcester Community Foundation.