Theatre to be named for Tom and Barbara Evans; Board to solicit construction bids, continue fundraising efforts
The Hanover College Board of Trustees announced that the future theatre in Parker Auditorium will be named for Professor Emeritus of Theatre Tom Evans and his wife, Barbara Farrar Evans ’69. The designation was endorsed in conjunction with the Board’s approval of a motion to accept construction bids for the continued renovation of the iconic building.
Parker Auditorium was designed in the mid-1940s by renowned American architect J. Frederick Larson, who created the structure as a “commanding presence at the eastern terminus” of Hanover’s campus quadrangle. Completed in 1947, the 21,350-square-foot structure was named to honor Albert G. Parker in 1954 to celebrate his 25th anniversary as the College’s president.
While anchoring Hanover’s quadrangle for more than seven decades, Parker Auditorium exposed thousands of Hanover students and spectators to the joys of the performing arts. The auditorium hosted a wide range of events, including theatrical and musical performances, commencement ceremonies, chapel services, lecturers and much more. Due to necessary modernization, the facility was removed from service more than 10 years ago.
Parker Auditorium’s revitalization took its first major step with the 2025 completion of the Hanover Business and Entrepreneur Center on the lower level. The 8,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility includes experience-specific classrooms, modeled after board rooms, modular workstations and conference rooms. Dedicated areas are also available for graphic design, social media and audio-visual recording.
Completion of the upper level – highlighted by what will be called the “Dr. Tom and Barbara Evans Theatre in Parker Auditorium” – remains as the featured project for Hanover’s $110 million Bicentennial Campaign. Construction of the 400-seat theatre, rehearsal and classroom space, and faculty offices is estimated to cost more than $14 million. Of this total, $12.6 million has been raised. An additional $2.5 million is anticipated to be needed to complete the physical renovation and interior design.
Tom Evans inspired generations of Hanover students while leading the College’s theatre department from 1967-99. He directed more than 200 productions in college, community and professional venues. During his first two decades at Hanover, he managed many aspects of the theatre program, teaching courses while also designing and directing most productions.
Evans’ first Hanover production was “The Crucible” in 1967. He returned for his final campus production in 2015, a performance of “You Can’t Take It With You” that featured Hanoverian cast members spanning five decades.
Under Evans’ leadership, Hanover’s theatre program gained national recognition through the American College Theatre Festival at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., earning four finalist selections with productions of “Peer Gynt” (1970), “A Man’s a Man” (1973), “And They Dance Real Slow in Jackson” (1979) and “The Diviners” (1980).
Barbara Evans has been an active member of the theatre community for more than 50 years. She has worked as an actress, director, acting coach and administrator. She has performed in live theatre for decades and, in 1996, served as a Broadway stand-in for Estelle Parsons (playing opposite Lucie Arnaz) in the two-character play “Grace and Glorie.”
A ceremonial ribbon-cutting for the Dr. Tom and Barbara Evans Theatre in Parker Auditorium is expected in October 2027. Full construction will continue into 2028, when the theatre will be able to be used for performances.
Fundraising for completion of Parker Auditorium continues with distinctive naming opportunities available. The most visible naming opportunities include dedicated rooms, offices, lobbies, windows, balconies, curtains and equipment. Recognition levels begin at $25,000 for these items.
Donors may also honor their connection to Parker Auditorium with a named seat in the performance space. While commitments of $3,500 have secured all front-row seats, seats in the remaining rows are available for $2,500. Seat-naming opportunities are limited and names will be placed as commitments are received.
