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Hanover Theatre & Conservancy for the Performing Arts facts for kids
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The Hanover Theatre, The Hanover Theatre and Conservatory, The Hanover Theatre Conservatory
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Hanover Theatre & Conservatory for the Performing Arts, main entrance near camera, original entrance in distance (near car)
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| Address | 2 Southbridge Street Worcester, Massachusetts United States |
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| Owner | Worcester Center for Performing Arts |
| Capacity | 2,300 |
| Current use | Touring acts |
| Construction | |
| Opened | Franklin Square Theatre 1904 The Grand 1926 |
| Rebuilt | 2008 |
| Architect | Cutting, Carleton & Cutting; Thomas W. Lamb |
| Website | |
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Poli's Palace Theater
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| Location | Worcester, MA |
| Built | 1902 |
| Architect | Cutting, Carleton & Cutting; Thomas W. Lamb |
| Architectural style | Renaissance |
| NRHP reference No. | 10001122 |
| Added to NRHP | January 10, 2011 |
The Hanover Theatre and Conservatory for the Performing Arts is a well-known theater in Worcester, Massachusetts, United States. It first opened in 1904 as the Franklin Square Theatre. Back then, it showed different kinds of stage performances and later, silent movies.
Today, it's a popular spot for live shows. You can see famous entertainers, Broadway plays, and family-friendly performances here. It also supports local artists and groups.
Contents
The Theatre's Early Days
The Franklin Square Theatre first opened its doors in 1904. It was designed in 1902 by a local architecture firm called Cutting, Carleton & Cutting. A real estate developer named Ramsom C. Taylor had it built.
By 1912, the theater started showing silent films. Soon after, a theater owner named Sylvester Poli bought it.
Becoming The Grand Theatre
After buying the theater, Sylvester Poli made many changes. He renamed it The Grand. He also hired a famous theater designer, Thomas W. Lamb, in 1926.
Lamb helped make the theater much bigger. Its seating capacity doubled to 3,500 people. The building became a grand and fancy place. It had a two-story lobby with shiny mirrored walls and beautiful marble-like columns. There was also a huge chandelier in the main hall. These changes were finished just in time for the arrival of "talkies" in 1927. Talkies were movies with sound, which was a big new thing!
Changes in Ownership and Name
In 1928, Poli sold his theaters to William Fox. Fox then changed the theater's name to the Loew's Poli.
Later, in 1967, Sumner Redstone and Redstone Theaters bought the building. They reopened it as Showcase Cinemas. It continued to be a movie theater with multiple screens until 1998. At that time, Redstone's company, National Amusements, closed the theater.
In 2002, National Amusements gave the theater to a non-profit group. This group was called the Worcester Center for the Performing Arts. It was started by Ed Madaus and Paul Demoga.
Reopening as The Hanover Theatre
The non-profit group worked hard to raise money. They also built strong support from the community. Thanks to their efforts, the theater reopened in March 2008.
It was named The Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts. This name came from one of its main sponsors, Hanover Insurance. They gave a lot of the first money needed to make the reopening happen.
The Theatre Today
Today, The Hanover Theatre can seat 2,300 people. It hosts many different kinds of shows. You can see famous performers, touring Broadway plays, and family shows. It also gives local artists and groups a place to perform.
On the second floor, there is the Franklin Square Salon Gallery. This gallery shows art exhibits organized by ArtsWorcester.
In January 2011, the theater was added to the National Register of Historic Places. It was listed under its former name, Poli's Palace Theater.
The Conservatory for Learning
In 2016, The Hanover Theatre Conservatory for the Performing Arts was added. This conservatory is a place for education and outreach. It has classrooms for acting and vocal training. Students can also learn about different parts of theater production. This includes lighting, costume design, and making sets and props. The conservatory also has special bars for ballet and movement training.
Gallery
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Main entrance of the theatre and nearby fountain
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Interior view of the theatre, viewed from the stage