This venue will become a beacon of creativity, a place where students can explore their passions, and audiences can experience a wide range of performances. It will foster learning, inspire artistic excellence, and draw professional organizations to engage and enrich Needham’s cultural landscape. The following includes use cases for a Pollard Auditorium.
Needham Public Schools
- Student Theater and Performances
- Pollard Middle School produces two plays each year, including one musical.
- Needham High School (NHS) stages four productions annually, with three musicals.
- Student Music and Performances
- Classes present concerts featuring Band, Strings, Ensemble, Chorus, and Music Exploration.
- Events often involve 200+ students on stage, with families invited to attend.
- Four select music ensembles include: Select Choir, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, and Town Orchestra.
- Additional Uses of the Auditorium
- School assemblies, both during and after school, many funded by groups like the Needham Education Foundation (NEF) and the Needham Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC).
- Theater opportunities such as technical direction workshops, stage management classes, and improv classes.
- Rentals by local dance studios, community groups, and non-profits to provide an income stream to the town and help fund proactive maintenance of the venue.
- Parent education events hosted by organizations such as the Parent Teacher Council (PTC), Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC), Needham Youth & Family Services (NYFS), and Needham Community Education (NCE).
- The Needham Extended Day Program (NEDP) currently cannot use the Pollard stage due to safety issues, but could if it were upgraded and available.
“A rebuilt Pollard auditorium won’t just serve middle school needs — it will also provide Needham High School with a much-needed venue for roughly four performances each year. Beyond that, it will be a valuable resource for the broader community, with the potential to generate a new revenue stream for the Town through event and performance rentals.”
—— Cathy Memory, Friends of Music Board Member, ACT Committee
DID YOU KNOW?
The Town of Needham’s 2024 Arts & Culture Action Plan is based on Needham’s public input and research conducted by the Metropolitan Area Planning Council.
Goal #2 of this plan is to improve accessibility to arts and cultural facilities for all community members and organizations.
NHS production of Mamma Mia! at Newman (Chris Tess)
NHS Orchestra performance at Needham High School (Chris Tess)
Middle School production of Pirates of Penzance Jr at Pollard (Chris Tess)
Needham Community Theater performance of “Fiddler on the Roof” at Newman (Chris Tess)
Disability film series “What is Normal Anyway?” at Newman (Meera Sunder)