Siebel’s vision for a pedestrian-friendly, culture-centric downtown Worcester took another step closer to reality in March when the city began the remaking of Carroll Plaza, which will create a viable outdoor space for artistic endeavors just outside the Hanover Theatre. Siebels has been at the forefront of Worcester’ cultural overhaul since he’s led the Hanover before it opened in 2008, growing the performance and education facility to attract roughly 200,000 visitors annually, with 40 employees and 280 students.
His plans for the Hanover to anchor a robust Theatre District includes another 300-seat theater and a jazz club. He’s played a leading role for the Worcester Cultural Coalition, Discover Central Massachusetts and the Downtown Worcester Business Improvement District, a special 78-acre area using a tax surcharge to make downtown friendlier to visitors that just hired a new executive director and a contractor to provide ambassadors downtown to give directions and advice to visitors.
Where is the Central Mass. community headed? Worcester’s downtown will continue to evolve and develop, and will overcome earlier negative perceptions to become a destination for culture, dining and entertainment.
The anti-Scrooge: I direct the theatre’s annual production of “A Christmas Carol,” which is based on a script I adapted from Charles Dickens’ book. We donate more than 2,000 tickets to kids and families who would otherwise be unable to attend.
