Shop Talk: Q&A with James O'Brien, Chairman of the Board at Worcester Center for the Performing Arts
Photo/Livia Gershon
James O'Brien, chairman of the Worcester Center for Performing Arts Board of Directors and partner, Mountain, Dearborn & Whiting.
James O’Brien, 61, a partner with Worcester’s Mountain, Dearborn & Whiting law firm, has been involved in the city’s community life for more than 30 years. In 1977, he helped lead the campaign to create the Worcester Civic Center, which is now the DCU Center. With his help, a referendum on the issue passed by just 45 votes. Now, O’Brien has taken another leading role in an effort to boost local entertainment options. He recently became chair of the board of directors at the Worcester Center for Performing Arts, which runs the Hanover Theatre, taking over for H. Carter Hunt, the former commander of forces at Fort Devens, who stepped down after seven years in the position.
>> You’ve served on the board of directors of the Worcester Center for Performing Arts for seven years and vice chair for the past year. Did you plan on becoming chair?
Because of my efforts on behalf of the theater over the last several years [I have said] I would be happy to be chair. I didn’t expect it to be quite as soon as it turned out to be, but it’s a wonderful operation, a great challenge.
When I would be frustrated –not with any problems we had, but just with working so hard making it successful – and think “Gee, what am I doing this for?” – I’d walk into the theater and see people smiling and say “It’s all worthwhile. This is what we’re all doing this for, to get these smiles.”
>> How has the mission of the Worcester Center for Performing Arts changed since the Hanover Theatre opened?
We went from a construction stage, also a fundraising stage, opening stage to operational stage. We’re very pleased with our first year. We had more than 140 performances, we’ve had 180,000 people come through our doors, and those projections are higher than we originally anticipated.
>> What can you tell us about plans for the theater’s future?
My goal as chair is to make sure structurally we’re where we want to be. We’re still putting together our board and our committees. I’m a big tent person in that there’s plenty of room for everybody and anybody who wants to work for the Worcester Center for Performing Arts or on one of our committees. Our next goal is to get our financial house stable. We have a good structure now I feel, a very strong financial committee, and we want to keep up our fundraising efforts, bring more people into our theater as members and as founders, and just to keep on the quality programming that we’ve initiated thus far.
>> What have you learned so far about what sorts of shows are most popular with the Worcester-area audience?
People in the Worcester area definitely like Broadway, they definitely like comedy, they definitely like doo wop and oldies. They like the opera.
>> Anything you want to steer away from in the future?
I don’t think we want to steer away from anything, really. I bring to it nothing more than the lay person’s “oh yeah, I think Bill Cosby’s funny,” but that’s been a fun part of it. It’s been diverse entertainment, and I think we’re pleased with it.
>> How’s the economic situation affecting the theater?
In this time I would have to say we’re doing very well. Somebody pointed out, historically, in the Depression people still found time to go to the movies, and I think that’s what’s really happening here. People still find time to go to quality entertainment. I think we’re doing well under the circumstances. And we try to price our shows for the market.
>> You’ve been involved a number of other local organizations, including the Worcester County Bar Association, the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Worcester Public Library Foundation, among others. What makes you want to spend your time at all these board meetings?
I was born and raised in Worcester. My father during the 50s and 60s was mayor of Worcester, so I have a longstanding commitment to this community. I’ve educated and raised three children here. And I’ve always felt that sometimes Worcester had the potential to be better than it was letting itself be.
>> What’s the best show you’ve seen at the Hanover?
Cirque Dreams.
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