The Hanover Insurance Group Foundation to Introduce More Than 100 Worcester Public High School Students To The Theatre

By Amy Lynn Banek, Manager, Media Relations, The Hanover Insurance Group Foundation (www.hanover.com)

The Hanover Insurance Group Foundation, Inc. today announced that through the sponsorship of Music Worcester’s upcoming presentation of the classic American opera, Porgy and Bess, more than 100 students from the Worcester Public Schools will be exposed to the theatre. Music Worcester, one of the largest, non-profit concert presenters in Central Massachusetts, will host the production on Saturday, March 27 and Sunday, March 28 at The Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts.

As part of the The Hanover Insurance Group Foundation grant, the Sunday performance will host well over 100 eleventh graders from the Worcester Public Schools’ Advancement Via Individual Determination program and Collegiate Success Institute, both of which help prepare students for college who might not attend otherwise. In addition to enjoying the show, the students—many of whom have never experienced the theatre—will be invited to enjoy an entire afternoon program. The program will be focused on the education path to attaining various jobs within a theatre and include a luncheon, overview and tour of the theatre, and interaction with the cast and crew of Porgy & Bess.

“We are delighted at the opportunity to bring Porgy and Bess to The Hanover Theatre as part of our 150th Worcester Music Festival,” said Stasia B. Hovenesian, Executive Director of Music Worcester. “Music Worcester has a long, proud tradition of bringing the finest classical, dance, choral and jazz performances from around the world to the Greater Worcester community. Porgy and Bess offers universal appeal and a magnificent score that bridges the worlds of opera, jazz and blues.”

This production of Porgy and Bess, produced by Michael Capasso, Director of New York City’s Di Capo Opera Theatre, had its critically acclaimed debut in 1993. Since then, it has had over 1,000 performances, having been presented in 17 countries on six continents, and in 49 of the 50 United States. The cast that will appear at The Hanover Theatre have credits that include performances with the Metropolitan Opera, New York City Opera, San Francisco Opera, and others.

The event is an example of the Hanover Theatre’s “Access to the Arts,” program which provides free and subsidized tickets to students and families within the community who otherwise could not afford to attend and participate in the magic of live theatre.

"We are very proud to partner with Music Worcester and the theatre as lead sponsor for this exciting performance, supporting its outstanding efforts to enrich the cultural life of our community,” said Linda McGowan, president of The Hanover Insurance Group Foundation. “Our foundation places special emphasis on the issues of youth and education. So, we are especially pleased that our sponsorship of Porgy and Bess will enable so many high school students to visit the theatre. We hope to provide them with a wonderful learning experience that they will remember throughout their lives.”

Tickets for Porgy and Bess can be purchased by contacting The Hanover Theatre. Visit www.thehanovertheatre.org or call the box office at 877-571-7469.

About Music Worcester, Inc.
For over 150 years, Music Worcester, Inc. has played a critical leadership role in the promotion and advancement of cultural activities in the Greater Worcester area.

Music Worcester, Inc. is one of the oldest and largest, non-profit concert presenters in Central Massachusetts, serving as the distinguished host of the oldest music festival in the United States (now in its 150th Season)—Worcester Music Festival.

In addition, as a part of their continuing effort to give back to the local community, each year, Music Worcester, Inc. hosts a Young Artists Competition, awarding scholarships and performance opportunities to young, highly talented area musicians.

About Access to the Arts
Access to the Arts is supported by The Hanover Theatre Annual Fund. It was developed to provide free and subsidized tickets to students and families within the community who otherwise could not afford to attend and participate in the magic of live theatre. Aspects of the program, include 1,000 complimentary tickets to A Christmas Carol to the underserved in partnership with the United Way; subsidized student tickets to The Nutcracker; A Christmas Carol; and other school matinee performances and other complimentary tickets to Worcester Public Schools students and educators, plus much more!

About The Hanover Insurance Group Foundation
The mission of The Hanover Insurance Group Foundation, Inc. is to improve the quality of life in communities where The Hanover Insurance Group companies have a major presence, placing a special emphasis on helping to build world class public education systems and inspiring and empowering youth to achieve their full potential.

The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc., based in Worcester, Mass. is a leading provider of auto, home and business insurance in Massachusetts.

About The Hanover
The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. is the holding company for a group of insurers that includes The Hanover Insurance Company, also based in Worcester; Citizens Insurance Company of America, headquartered in Howell, Mich., and their affiliates. The Hanover offers a wide range of property and casualty products and services to individuals, families and businesses through an extensive network of independent agents, and has been meeting its obligations to its agent partners and their customers for more than 150 years. Taken as a group, The Hanover ranks among the top 30 property and casualty insurers in the United States.