Franklin Opera House, Inc.

Over a century of community connection

Soldiers Memorial Hall was designed by the architect William M. Butterfield of Manchester. Like many other town halls of the era, its design included a community gathering place, known as The Opera House. The construction began the summer of 1892 with construction finalized and the dedication ceremony held on September 5, 1893.

The Opera House had many uses throughout its long history such as hosting balls, conventions, graduations, sports events, dances, film showings, musicals, plays, operas, and speeches, until the 1960’s when the city partitioned off sections of the stage and the auditorium to provide additional space for city services.

In 1997, when the police department and court moved to their own homes on the other side of Central Street, the Franklin Opera House Restoration Committee was formed and reopened the Opera House.

Currently our facility is closed for major renovations. The City of Franklin, which owns Soldiers Memorial Hall and its Opera House, cannot cover all the costs of required renovations to the facilily. So we are picking up the slack. You can contribute directly to our Renovation Fund by clicking HERE, or check out our Support Us page to see other ways you can help.

Check out Fritz Wetherbee's brief but enlightening story about our building!

Fritz Wetherbee's New Hampshire: Franklin Opera House

Community Arts

Franklin Opera House is the home for community-based performing groups, including Franklin Footlight Theatre, the FHS Players, FMS Players, Districtwide Musical, and Franklin Area Children's Theatre. We are dedicated to enriching the lives of all community members, whether performers or audience members.

Created before the Opera House reopened in 2001, Franklin Footlight Theatre is a community theatre group that works closely with the Franklin Opera House and the Franklin School District to bring high-quality performance and education opportunities to Franklin and our surrounding communities. A separate 501(3)(c) organization, Footlight Theatre is a vital component of arts programming at the Opera House. Click the image above for more information.

FACT is an offspring of the Franklin Opera House, Franklin Footlight Theatre and the FHS Players. The program covers basics in theater training and performance art, and culminates in a group production at the end of each camp. FACT provides a positive experience for hundreds of children in grades one through eight. It’s also an incredible educational experience for the teenage interns who are hired to work for the program. Working under the guidance of the Artistic Director they learn how to teach children to perform. They take what they learn, plus their own theater experience and work with groups of children. The result is amazing!

School Drama Programs

Franklin Opera House serves as auditorium space for the drama programs of Franklin schools... High School, Middle School, and Elementary.

Through their award-winning shows and associated Arts Integration activities, up to half of all school students are affected by these programs.

Franklin Opera House, Inc.

As a non-profit organization dependent on the generosity of public support, it is the mission of Franklin Opera House, Inc. to provide wholesome community entertainment, foster expansion of arts awareness in all ages, and create a cultural hub and center for social interaction in an historic and attractive setting.

We recently completed a 5-year Strategic Business Plan.

Check it out HERE .

As a non-profit volunteer organization committed to fostering the performing arts, we benefit greatly from the dedication and sacrifice of many people, including our Board of Directors. Members of our Board serve 3-year terms and are elected on a rotating basis each year at our Annual Meeting.

See our By-Laws HERE.

We are always seeking engaged citizens who have interest or expertise in any aspect of running the organization and fulfilling our mission. If you would like to be a member our the Board, contact us or attend our next Annual Meeting which occurs the second Thursday of June.

Current Board of Directors and Terms

Jule Finley - term ending 2029
Chris Seufert- term ending 2027

Alicia Humphrey- term ending 2029

Allison Cross- term ending 2029
Ernie Smith- term ending 2028
Chip Ach- term ending 2028

Sue Bitetto- term ending 2027

Community Engagement Board
Maureen Aube - Volunteer Recruitment / Mgmt

Jeff Perkins - Fundraising, Community Relations
Debbie Vasko - Fundraising, Community Relations
Linda Holstein Stronge - Membership Development
Carol Hodgdon - Fundraising
Christine Dzujna - Membership Development
Valerie Perkins - Fundraising, Volunteer Mgmt

Alicia Humphrey - Fundraising Events, BOD Liaison

Lilly Machos - Fundraising Events

Annette Andreozzi - Fundraising Events

Volunteers Help Us Thrive

We cannot exist without amazing volunteers. There are many ways to help: be an usher at an event, prepare or sell concessions, learn and offer technical assistance, help with fundraising, provide office or box office tasks. Many roles allow you to see a show for free!

Contact Volunteer coordinator
Maureen Aube,
ret.warriorlibrarian@gmail.com
or (603) 520-2523.
Or contact Dan Darling,
Executive Director.

Members are the Foundation

There are several ways you can be a member of our organization, and you'll have the satisfaction of knowing YOU are part of our ongoing mission.

GENERAL MEMBERSHIP

at various levels entitles you to elect the Board of Directors at our annual meeting, and other benefits.

BUSINESS AND
ORGANIZATION SUPPORT

includes advertising in our annual program guides, which helps defray the cost of marketing. Please patronize our business members and tell them you saw their ad!

CORPORATE PARTNERS

demonstrate outstanding support by underwriting the cost of events and general operations. Please take a moment to thank them when you have the opportunity.

Our Management Team

Executive Director
Dan Darling

Technical / Stage Manager
TBA

Office / Marketing Assistant
Lilly Machos