Educational Programs
Very often arts education comes with financial barriers for many. To help eliminate these barriers, Broadway in Worcester coordinates its concerts with free master classes, workshops, and Q&A sessions for the region’s high school and college students, along with their arts educators.
Worcester area public and private school teachers, alike, have expressed their interest in providing their students with an “authentic” master class level curriculum. Veteran Worcester teachers say this “will provide what we can’t for our students - real-world professional experience.” There is a need for students to hear from professionals in the field; and in turn, for professionals to guide the future generation in their profession.
Research supports that field education is a student-centric learning experience that enhances learning and fosters personal and social development (Larsen et al., 2017). It has also been demonstrated that students who engage in learning experiences outside the classroom report higher levels of motivation and recall, and have improved academic performance. (Takeuchi et al., 2016; Ryan and Deci, 2017). As such, field experiences early in a student’s career can be formative and can inspire students to continue in the arts. (Hutson et al., 2011).
Broadway in Worcester’s educational programs are designed to help forward the goals of Worcester’s Cultural Plan, specifically in the areas of Youth Education, Cultural, Equity, and Access, and Creativity and Innovation.
While the Broadway concert series is designed to be sustainable through event ticket sales, the free educational programming for Worcester area students is supported entirely by local philanthropy. The Hanover Theatre and Conservatory is graciously serving as Broadway in Worcester’s 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor. Past supporters of Broadway in Worcester’s educational programs include The George F. and Sybil H. Fuller Foundation, The Fletcher Foundation, UniBank, JJ Bafaro, Inc., Carr Financial Group, Jim and Nancy Coghlin, Founders of DetecTogether, Barr Foundation, Worcester Cultural Coalition/JMAC 2022 Accessibility Initiative, the Worcester Arts Council and Massachusetts Cultural Council, the Greater Worcester Community Foundation, Calliope Productions, and the College of the Holy Cross.
Educational Session Reach & Impact Results:
Master Class Faculty to Date: Tony Award winners Laura Benanti, Santino Fontana, Jessie Mueller, Kelli O’Hara and the legendary Chita Rivera.
Registration has grown to 190+ students and teachers per event.
Approximately, 75% of the registrants are students and 25% are educators
On average, 85% are high school students and 15% are college students.
30+ schools represented at each session. Participants are from both public and private schools, four year and community colleges, local nonprofit community theater education programs, local dance studios, the Hanover Theatre Conservatory etc.
“This experience gave our students something truly invaluable—one-on-one mentorship with Broadway professionals. Beyond the skill-building, the emotional impact was profound. One student, who had previously expressed deep insecurity about an aspect of their appearance was seen and celebrated by one of the performers. That single moment of affirmation changed how they see themselves. The ripple effect of being uplifted by a professional artist is something no classroom lesson could replicate.” ~ Aimee Kewley, Fine Arts Department Head, Burncoat High School, Worcester Public Schools
“I am incredibly grateful for Broadway in Worcester’s unwavering commitment to arts education. Our students have the rare and inspiring opportunity to meet, interact with, and learn from Broadway stars. The masterclasses offer more than just a glimpse into the world of professional theatre—they provide invaluable lessons in discipline and perseverance. Attending a Broadway in Worcester masterclass is the highlight of the school year for me and my students. Thank you for investing in their futures and in the transformative power of the performing arts!” ~ Nicole Lian, Theatre Educator, Notre Dame Academy
“My students have gained so much from performing in and attending the Broadway in Worcester Masterclass series. Each artist has been gracious and generous in sharing their expertise and talent with the group. Whether they are workshopping dramatic ideas or vocal technique with the singer chosen to participate or answering questions from the audience, the performers have imparted valuable lessons that have had a lasting impact on my students. Having topnotch Broadway artists visit our community and share their passion and experience is a gift. My students look forward to these events and always come away invigorated and inspired.” ~ Meaghan Deiter, Professor of Practice in Musical Theatre, College of the Holy Cross
“The stellar guest artists that Broadway in Worcester makes available to teachers and students from a wide range of institutions is a huge gift to our community. The masterclasses enrich the faculty, the student presenters and the audience. As a longtime member of the Holy Cross Department of Theatre and Dance, I have been inspired by hearing the artists critiques and suggestions for improvement of the work of the student presenters. I always leave the masterclass invigorated and ready to try new methods to help my students. The Holy Cross students who have had an opportunity to present a song for the classes is truly a once in a lifetime opportunity. Their classmates are supportive and attentive and also learn tremendously from the experience. It is a joy to see the theatre full of teachers and young aspiring performers who might not ever have the opportunity to participate in such a remarkable event. I am grateful for the funding provided to Broadway in Worcester to make this opportunity available for students and faculty alike.” ~ Lynn Kremer, Professor, Department of Theatre, College of the Holy Cross
“This was a wonderful and enriching experience for the students. Providing these kinds of opportunities for our students is amazing and we hope for many more in the future.”
“Thank you so much for making this workshop happen. Laura was incredibly generous in every sense of the word. Generous with her time, generous with her talent, and generous with her skills. She blew me away. My students felt like they had a private vocal lesson with her. They will never ever forget what was said to them. They are absolutely bubbling with joy.”
“Kelli is not just a wonderful, committed performer, but an excellent pedagogue - gracious and kind to her students, giving them real information that will serve them well.”
“What an incredible event on Friday for our young actors of Worcester County. Laura is such an amazing, humble and down to earth person. As an educator and a parent, she was the perfect person for something like this. She said everything I would hope someone like her would say to young students of the arts. Well done. What a special experience for all involved.”
“It was really impressive to see a master at her craft, the precision and skills she demonstrated gave me goosebumps, she knew directly and exactly what was wrong and how to correct it.”
“As an educator, I was so pleased to hear Ms. Rivera’s message of hard work and perseverance. Our young performers are not going to have the world handed to them. They will need to work for it.”
“Jessie is one of the kindest, most genuine people that I have met or seen live. The kindness and passion that she has is radiant, and it is people like her that help to fuel my love for the performing arts and fuel my passion to pursue it professionally. Thanks a million <3”
“Jessie is a great teacher and helped reinforce some things I say when working with actors. She was present with every singer and gave some great feedback, really appreciated her side coaching as well.”
“I learned to act through songs thought by thought, which will help lead to more natural movements and allow me to think about the characters I embody in a more complex light.”
