ANNUAL REPORT 2020
OUR MISSION SpeakEasy Stage Company produces intimate, entertaining plays and musicals that are new to Boston and compel thoughtful conversation. We champion new talent and future arts leaders, alongside a diverse community of experienced local theatre professionals who share our devotion to excellence. We treat our artists, audiences, and supporters as collaborators, working with us to make Boston a city that is sustainable for artists. 2
FROM THE PRODUCING ARTISTIC DIRECTOR I am pleased to present to you our Annual Report for Season 29, which covers the period from July 1, 2019 – June 30, 2020. Indeed, this was a year like no other. The incredible success of our first three shows – Choir Boy, Admissions, and Pass Over – was eclipsed by the public health crisis that shut down The Children and canceled the rest of our season. Since the doors have been temporarily closed on the performing arts, we have really missed the energy of the artistic process and producing theatre. But in some ways I am grateful for this time of “intermission” to look internally, tackle big strategic projects, and strengthen our organization from the inside out. In addition to the COVID-19 pandemic, the national movement against systemic racism and oppression has also had a tremendous impact on all of us. Equity and justice have always been among our core values, but this summer, the staff and board embarked on an intentional and comprehensive journey towards becoming a more fully anti-racist organization. Understanding that this is an ongoing and long-term commitment, we are developing an Equity and Anti-Racism Action Plan to guide our efforts, which we will share with you in the coming months. We echo those who have long called for social reform and racial justice, and unequivocally state: Black lives matter. Looking back on this season, I am incredibly proud of the work we were able to produce. From the energetic and inspiring voices of Choir Boy, to the provocative questions of Admissions; from the powerful and much-too-timely reality of Pass Over, to the uncertain morality of The Children, we presented stories that connected us to the full spectrum of our common humanity, showing all of its darkness, all of its beauty, and everything in between. I hope that these stories resonated as deeply with you as they did with me. I want to thank you, SpeakEasy’s generous community of donors, subscribers, artists, and volunteers, for your belief in our mission. Your participation and support have made our work possible and sustained us through this difficult time. I look forward to the day when we can gather again at the theater. What a celebration that will be! With gratitude,
Paul Daigneault Producing Artistic Director 3
CHOIR BOY SEPTEMBER 13 - OCTOBER 19, 2019 Written by Tarell Alvin McCraney Directed by Maurice Emmanuel Parent Music Direction by David Freeman Coleman Choreography by Yewande Odetoyinbo and Ruka White
“What you fight for? What you fight for, sir? You fight when you believe what you doing, what you are, is right.” - Pharus Young Tarell Alvin McCraney’s Tony-nominated play Choir Boy invigorated audiences and won hearts and minds through its showstopping dance numbers and soaring gospel harmonies. This play gave us a window into the lives of young black men at the elite Charles R. Drew Prep School. It follows student Pharus Young’s struggle to maintain leadership of the school’s legendary gospel choir, while staying true to his identity in the face of oppression. Powerful and moving, Choir Boy inspired audience members to find the courage to embrace their true selves. It quickly became the best-selling season opener in SpeakEasy history, prompting a two-week show extension. Thanks to the support of Berkshire Bank Foundation and the Office of MassHousing, more than 500 students from Boston Public Schools and beyond were able to experience this production through our Student Matinee Series. In addition, two of the play’s actors served as Teaching Artists, visiting three schools to discuss the play’s approach to sexuality, masculinity and race, and the lasting impact bullying can have on our individual identities. In addition, in collaboration with the Front Porch Arts Collective, SpeakEasy hosted the city’s first-ever #BlackOutBoston — a special performance reserved entirely for a Black-identifying audience (pictured right). 4
“…I was stunned by the energy in the theater that night, taken in by the warmth with which attendees sparked conversation and greeted each other.... It felt like a jubilant, family reunion....” -Arielle Gray, WBUR, on Choir Boy’s #BlackOutBoston performance
“White people, hold on to your hats. I think mine may have just blown off, buoyed by the torrential, abrasive wind of Joshua Harmon’s Admissions, which is being given a crackling yet rueful area premiere by SpeakEasy Stage Company.” - Carolyn Clay, WBUR
ADMISSIONS OCTOBER 25 - NOVEMBER 30, 2019 Written by Joshua Harmon Directed by Paul Daigneault
“If there are going to be new voices at the table, someone has to stand up and offer someone else his seat.” - Charlie Luther Mason After the success of our productions of Significant Other (2016) and Bad Jews (2014), it was no surprise that our third collaboration with playwright Joshua Harmon also resonated with critics and audiences alike. Following Sherri RosenMason and her husband Bill in their attempts to diversify their small New England prep school, Admissions pits the couple’s progressive values against personal ambition when their son Charlie’s Ivy-League dreams are on the line. Young actor Nathan Malin’s exceptional performance as Charlie won him an Elliot Norton Award nomination for Outstanding Actor, joining a long list of emerging artists who found their breakthrough roles at SpeakEasy. Mr. Malin was also recognized for his extraordinary talent with SpeakEasy’s Thomas Derrah Emerging Artist Award. Inspired by the characters’ dynamic, unfiltered discussions on building equity in institutions, we presented the panel “Diversity, Inclusion, and White Fragility” to hear from college admissions experts and a Diversity and Inclusion consultant, all of whom have dedicated their careers to tackling the very issues presented in the play. That said, Admissions’ true triumph was in its positioning of diversity and equity not as questions to be answered, but as ongoing conversations that we must all incorporate into our everyday lives. 7
PASS OVER JANUARY 3 - FEBRUARY 2, 2020 Written by Antoinette Nwandu Co-produced by Front Porch Arts Collective Directed by Monica White Ndounou
“Thus sayeth my God / STOP KILLING US.” - Moses SpeakEasy’s production of Antoinette Nwandu’s Pass Over sparked many new and important conversations for our company. This groundbreaking mash-up of Waiting for Godot and the Exodus saga centered on the lives of Moses and Kitch, two young Black men seeking a way out of the cycle of systemic racism and police brutality. Crafting everyday profanity into poetic and humorous riffs, the friends share their dreams of deliverance, until an ominous stranger changes their world forever. Kadahj Bennett, who played the role of Moses, won the Elliot Norton Award for Outstanding Actor. The guidance and partnership of The Front Porch Arts Collective was crucial to the success of this production. Due to the play’s subject matter and depictions of violence, we collaborated with Front Porch to offer post-show healing circles for audience members who have experienced the effects of police violence in their own lives. We also sought to take the conversation beyond the stage and into our community, hosting a Restorative Justice panel at Roxbury’s historic Hibernian Hall, sending the actors to lead a workshop at a local Youth Detention Center, and presenting “2020: Black & Male in America,” a panel of community leaders in the Boston area. Above all, Pass Over’s unflinching depictions of racism challenged audiences to face our country’s most pressing issues head-on and make real change in the world.
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“Thank you for producing Pass Over - a timely, unsettling piece of art that was thought-provoking, emotionally engaging, and is still vibrating in my body. I’m so glad I had the opportunity to encounter these phenomenal actors and this production.� - Kristen Moriarty, audience member
“What do we owe to the generations that follow us....[T]hat question underlies The Children, Lucy Kirkwood’s skillfully probing, quietly shattering drama of personal culpability, second chances, and, yes, generational responsibility...now at SpeakEasy Stage Company in a first-rate production directed by Bryn Boice...” - Don Aucoin, The Boston Globe
THE CHILDREN FEBRUARY 28 - MARCH 12, 2020* Written by Lucy Kirkwood Directed by Bryn Boice
“This is not the end of our lives but a new and exciting chapter.” - Hazel When we selected Lucy Kirkwood’s The Children in 2019 for its themes of redemption, reparation, and shared responsibility for the world, we could not have known how the COVID-19 pandemic would so drastically change our own world today. Set in a cottage on the British coast, The Children brought together three retired physicists — Hazel, Robin, and Rose — who must come to terms with their shared culpability in the wake of a devastating environmental accident. Unfortunately, on March 12, 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, SpeakEasy made the difficult decision to cancel all remaining performances of The Children— three weeks before its scheduled end date. Though its run was short, Lucy Kirkwood’s masterful storytelling and the striking set design by Cristina Todesco ensured that this would be a play to remember. Paula Plum won the Elliot Norton Award for Outstanding Actress for her powerful performance as the character Hazel (Karen MacDonald, as Rose, was also nominated for the same award). A striking environmental drama that asked audiences to consider their own impact on the future of our planet and on humanity, The Children turned out to be more timely than anyone could have imagined. *Show originally scheduled to close March 28, 2020.
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An Expanded Commitment to Community Programs Thanks in part to generous funding from the Barr Klarman Massachusetts Arts Initiative, SpeakEasy made a substantial commitment to community engagement and expanded its staff to add a Community Programs Manager in the summer of 2019. The additional resources invested in this work allowed us to extend our reach into the community and form strategic partnerships with local organizations that would provide opportunities for meaningful engagement with new patrons. Here are some examples.
Working with academic leaders and community experts, we curated several panel discussions to help audiences contextualize the conversations in each play and deepen their understanding of the issues: “Growing Up Black, Queer, and Spiritual” during our production of Choir Boy, “Diversity, Inclusion, and White Fragility” during Admissions and “2020: Black & Male in America” during Pass Over. 12
In partnership with Hibernian Hall in Roxbury, we hosted a panel on Restorative Justice to coincide with our production of Pass Over. Dramaturg Pascale Florestal led a conversation between mothers who lost children to gun violence and community leaders who use art to heal. Following the discussion, over 70 community members convened for a reception to continue the discussion.
In alignment with our commitment to develop emerging artists, we officially formed an artistic and academic alliance with the Boston Conservatory at Berklee in September 2019. Through this partnership, we collaborate with the faculty to provide hands-on educational and professional experience for the next generation of theatre artists.
“This show showed me that no matter what people think of you, you should always be yourself…”
- Mirian, from New Mission High School after a student matinee
A Focus on Providing Access to Theatre We believe fervently in the power of the theatre to make an impact on people’s lives. When we see ourselves reflected on the stage or connect with the journey of a character, we develop empathy, compassion, and a better understanding of the world in which we live. At SpeakEasy, we believe that everyone deserves this opportunity, and we are grateful to our donors for providing the support that allows us to offer greater access to our programs. During this season, SpeakEasy provided over 1,000 underwritten and discounted tickets to more than two dozen community organizations, schools, and youth groups. Examples include: Opening Doors for the Arts, Pelham Learning Center, Urban College of Boston, My Brother’s Keeper, African American & Latino Student Scholars Program at Brookline High, Boston Living Center/Victory Programs, and First Parish Dorchester Youth Program. We are committed to developing the capacity to add accessibility services for patrons with disabilities. We had planned to offer both audio-described and sensory-friendly performances of Bright Star, before the show was postponed due to the pandemic. 13
A Transition from Live Theatre to the Virtual World On March 13, 2020, the SpeakEasy staff packed up the essentials, set up remote technology, and closed the office for what we thought would be a mere few weeks. Out of an abundance of caution, we canceled the Spring Gala set for April 3, closed The Children, and held our breath for Bright Star which was set to open May 1st. The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly altered the theatre landscape for some time to come. Here’s what we had planned for the spring and how we changed course.
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Our last show of the season, Bright Star (with music by Steve Martin and lyrics by Edie Brickell), was postponed from May 2020 to the 20-21 season. Set during the 1920s and ‘40s, Bright Star is a sweeping tale of love and redemption set in the American South that explores the promises we make and the courage we need to follow our dreams.
We had three staged readings planned for The Boston Project in June, which are postponed until further notice. This includes two plays in their first year of development: Museum Piece by John J. King and Viejitxs by J. Sebastian Alberdi. Our third play - The Usual Unusual by MJ Halberstadt - was developed into an audioplay that was released in August.
With just three weeks to go before our scheduled April 3rd gala, the staff quickly pivoted to a “HomeStyle” Gala – producing entertaining videos and photos that would inspire online giving, including a virtual performance from the cast of Choir Boy, a photo album of the staff’s #HomestyleGalaLooks (see page 19), and a video featuring our honorees: Keith MacDonald (philanthropist and former Chair of the Board of Directors) and The Front Porch Arts Collective (for extraordinary community impact). We look forward to presenting these deserving honorees with their awards at a future live event.
We launched a new Play Discussion Club on April 13 with a four-week series – “Queer Stories on SpeakEasy’s Stage.” The moderated discussions often include directors, actors, and even, playwrights! (Pictured: discussing Fun Home with creators Jeanine Tesori and Lisa Kron) Series Two, “Celebrating Contemporary Female Playwrights,” launched in May. The program garners 30-50 participants each week and has become a continuing program.
OUR COMMUNITY EXPECTATIONS
INSTITUTIONAL SUPPORT
At the beginning of the season, we distributed a statement of Community Expectations to all of our patrons to make our space feel more welcoming and inclusive to everyone. This written statement, and a video version recorded by the staff, is available on our website at www.speakeasystage.com.
$100,000+
Barr-Klarman Massachusetts Arts Initiative
$50,000 - $99,999
Boston Center for the Arts*
$20,000 - $49,999
Bank of America Massachusetts Cultural Council The Shubert Foundation The Harold & Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust
At SpeakEasy, we present works that tackle contemporary and sometimes controversial subject matters. The only way we can facilitate effective and constructive conversations created by this work is by treating all people with respect. As such, we are committed to providing an inclusive, brave, and accessible environment where everyone is treated with dignity. We expect our patrons, artists, board members, and staff to comply with this community conduct, including but not limited to: • Respecting all cultural backgrounds and identities. • Understanding each individual’s right to be at the theater and enjoy it in their own way while being mindful of those around them. • Showing appreciation for the facility and those working within it. If you have experienced any behavior that has negatively impacted your ability to fully participate in or appreciate the art we create, we encourage you to reach out to our team directly so that we can take appropriate action and continue to grow and improve as a community. We extend our deepest gratitude to all those who join us in our efforts to create a better community at SpeakEasy and beyond.
$10,000 - $19,999
National Endowment for the Arts George & Alice Rich Charitable Foundation
$5,000 - $9,999
Berkshire Bank Bove & Langa, P.C.
Carrie Nation Cocktail Club* Office of MassHousing
Bootleg Special* Boston Veterinary Clinic
$2,500 - $4,999
Madison Food Corp.
$1,000 - $2,499
Barbershop Deluxe Eastern Bank Charitable Foundation JJ Bodner Insurance Agency Cathy Marotta, Sotheby’s Real Estate MIDA* Roberta Orlandino, Coldwell Banker East Boston Savings Bank
John Ranco, Coldwell Banker Global Luxury RE Glenn Rigoff’s Rentals John Snow, Inc. St. Paul’s Episcopal Church Seligman Dental Designs Wilson Butler Architects
$500 - 999
Yip Harburg Lyrics Foundation *In-kind donation
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PRODUCERS CIRCLE
We are deeply grateful to these leadership donors for their extraordinary contributions to our Annual Fund and special events throughout the year. Their gifts make it possible for us to continue pursuing our mission, and we sincerely appreciate this generous community. $50,000+
Fulton Charitable Trust Nancy & Edward Roberts
$2,500-$4,999
Susan Black & Richard O’Neal Paul Daigneault & Jeffrey Mello Mary E. Darmstaetter $20,000-49,999 Richard Davies & Keith MacDonald & Tom Webber Alexander Albregts Paul & Jennifer Walsh Danné Davis Anonymous Jeff & Erica Drazen $10,000-19,999 Betty Goldstein Alex Baker & Butch Chilton Lindsay & Garth Greimann The Gregory E. Bulger Foundation/ Wendy Bailey Hamilton Gregory Bulger & Richard Dix Peter Hornstra Nick Scandalios Susan & Mark Irvings Somerled Charitable/ Melissa Langa & Jeff Wulfson Macdonald CGF Jeanne Leszczynski & Diane Dicarlo Sam Yin Randi & Paul Levine $5,000-9,999 Malcolm MacDonald Catherine & Harvey Cotton Kathy McGirr & Keith Carlson Carol Deane Bill & Barbara Melone Kerry A. Dowling Joan & Paul Nunes Jonathan Dyer & Thomas Foran Ross Ozer & Scott Gortikov Lucia & Bruce Field Faith & Glenn Parker Andrew Fullem Bob & Jackie Pascucci The Helen & Herman Gimbel Charity Joey Riddle & Paul Miller Fund, Inc. Dawn & Doug Saglio David S. Godkin & Pamela Haran Jim Stiles & Randy Bird David Halstead Ann Teixeira Ken Hirschkind Hal Tepfer & Stacie Simon Will Korman & The Puppies Peter & Christine Palladino Barnet & Sandra Weinstein Erik & Ranesh Ramanathan Hannah Weisman & Mike Peluse Tom Weisend & Daniel Faucher Clea & Neal Winneg Julianne Yazbek & JD Paul
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$1,000-2,499
Helen & Robert Alkon Michael Appell & Guy Ronen Linda Aronson, in honor of Steven Aronson Charles Baker, Sr. Bob Band Gene Bauer & Ellen Shortell Vijay Bettada Jon & Dixie Lee Borus Gary Buseck Don & Susan Casey Joseph Castellana & Jim Seligman Stacey & Chris Constas Anne d’Avenas & Jerry Brody Sarah Delaney Zach Durant-Emmons & Willis Emmons Justine England FJN Charitable Foundation Tom Formicola & Lenny Goldstein John Foster Temple V. Gill & Christopher R. Yens Curly Glynn & Molly Kate Been Suzanne Greenberg Steve & Barbara Grossman Mark & Cynthia Haddad Dorothy Heath Mark Hickey & Jack Cornwell Roz & Herb Hill Terence Janericco Paul & Elizabeth Kastner Marion Kuntz George Labovites & Donald Woodbury
Nathan Levenson Roberta & Geoffrey Levy Marianne Lonati William & Anastasia Lyman H. Betsy Munzer Ann Noble & Valerie Grande Thomas Norris Robert Oldshue Derek Osterman & Erik Johnson Mark & Patricia Ostrem Ellen & Lou Piccioli Bruce G. Posner & Betsy Rudnick Debby Raboy Michael Roitman Steve & Susan Root Bradley Seeman Kenneth & Rise Shepsle Robert Siefert & Maureen Shea-Siefert Gerald & Susan Slavet Arthur Snyder, Jr. Nancy & Edward Stavis Martha Stearns Rick Summers & Bill Thompson Karen Suyemoto Donna & Steve Tritman Bob & Nancy Tucker Carl & Sharon Turissini Jean Walsh & Graham Davies Jerry Wheelock Angela Yarde Anonymous (2)
This list recognizes donors with gifts to our Annual Fund and event sponsorship programs from 7/1/19 - 6/30/20.
ANNUAL FUND SUPPORT
Thank you to these generous donors who have made a gift to SpeakEasy in the past year. We are inspired by their continued commitment to our mission. $500-999
James Alexander & Tom Stocker George Andreadis Annette Andruss & Jody Blakeway Jeannine Ayotte John Basile Andy & Susan Beard Kathy & Marshall Berenson Melanie Blower Edward Boesel Paul Boutin & Rich Gurney Sandra Bower Jim Bracciale & Richard Kestler Carol Carroll Bob Chabot & Glen Doerr Christine Coakley Pat & Mary Cogan Beth & Rich Compson Pam & Andy Constantine James deVeer Dana Dilworth & Joseph O’Donnell Joseph-Rocque Dion & David Bruce Wright Deborah Doktor Arthur J. Epstein & Bryna Litchman Robert Eyre Kathryn & Peter Feinmann The Fife Family Foundation Rolf Fuessler & Norman Goulet William A. Fulton Cindy & Roger Goldstein Anne Gottlieb & Robert Pemberton Shelly F. Greenfield & Allan M. Brandt Grace & Bill Gregor
Gretchen Grimshaw & Thalia Meehan J. William Harris & Terry Rockefeller Carolyn Hart Amy Horsburgh Nancy Lyle Howland Richard & Ilene Jacobs Frederic S. Johnson Joseph Misdraji Peter & Beatrice Nessen Suzanne Oesterreicher John Parisi Lowell Partridge Jill Pearson & Dan Ramirez Larry Rosenberg Leah Rugen & Andy Boral Chuck Schwager & Jan Durgin Cindy Shulak-Rome Jane & Benjamin Siegel Mark Smith & John O`Keefe Mark Staloff & Greg Bowne Jill Stauffer & Cyd Berry Crystal Tiala Steve & Pat Vinter Anonymous
Donald Bloch The Borosons Paul Sanborn Boynton Bernice Buresh Marianne Callahan John Cini & Star Lancaster Kristine Clerkin Theodore & Carolyn Colton Linzee & Beth Coolidge Jennifer Coplon & Robert Frank David Crowley & Francis Pelletier David Cucinotta & Jim Cove David Dalena & Brian Patton Susan & Tom Darnell The Daughters Fund Aliisa Dimartinis Glenn Edelson Anne-Marie Enderby Diane Fassino Harry Fatkin Glenda & Bob Fishman Michael Flier & David Trueblood Bruce Fortin Arlene S. Franklin David & Melissa Fristrom $250-499 Joseph Frusciante Lucille & Robert Azanow Rebecca Backman & Stephen Cotton Shantel Fujiwara William L Furmanski Michael & Julie Bailit Russell Garrett Laura Barooshian Karen & Geoffrey Gill Jim & Clara Batchelor Sterling B. Giles, Kathleen Beckman in memory of Rudy Kikel Bender Hatch Insurance Laura Haas & Richard Wood Ross & Midge Benjamin Ellen & Mark Harmon
This list recognizes donors with gifts to our Annual Fund of $250-999 from 7/1/19 - 6/30/20.
Jennifer Harris & David Condon Rob Harris Timothy Harwood Fred Heinrichs & David Heckert Mary Hewson Megan & Chris Holding John & Elaine Jepson Peggy Johnson Thomas H. Kean Laurie Kelley Mark Kelley & Ed Lundgren George Klauber & Jo-Ann Ross Stephen Knowlton & Joseph Pettigrew Nancy Korman & Kenneth Elgart Barbara Kroft David Kronman Stewart Landers Christopher Lawrence & Philip White Eric Levenson Matthew List Carleen M. Loper David MacDougall Stuart & Yvonne Madnick Suzette & Paul Martin Richard McCarthy Walt & Annie McGough Judy & Mike McKay Kate & Mark McKone-Sweet Peg Merzbacher Ellen & Jonathan Miller Lynne & Richard Montross Joan Moynagh & Adam Sholley Pam Noble Thomas Novak
Aaron J. Nurick & Diane M. Austin David O`Brien Marna Peters Kevin Petrovek Ted Pietras Lee Ridgeway Glenn Rizzo & Paul Simpson Pamela Roberts & Scott McInturff Jane Ruzanski Peter Sadow Dick & Dorothy Santos Philip & Tracy Schroeder Robert Seiler Andrea Shirley & Joyce Richmond Mark Shura & Dan Harvey Jill Silverstein Douglas & Karen Skillins Ethel Slate Nancy Snidman Julie Starr & George Coggeshall Donna Steele David R. Sunderland Jenna Thrash Jim Torres & Bryce Avery, in memory of Dotte Winer Dawn Tucker Stacy Vandeveer Davin & David Wedel Kerry Weiss-Pena & Gustavo Pena Lawrence White Christine Wichers Rob Wilson & Sergio Mazon Jared Wolf Anonymous
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FINANCIALS
FROM THE CHAIR OF THE BOARD
Statement of Activities and Changes In Net Assets
I am very proud to present the financial results of SpeakEasy’s outstanding 29th season. Though the COVID-19 pandemic has radically changed the theatre landscape, I am confident that SpeakEasy will remain strong through this crisis.
EARNED REVENUE Subscription Single Tickets Other Total Earned Revenue
$ 296,665 $ 468,405 $ 1,995 $ 767,065
EXPENSES Programs General & Administrative Fundraising Total Expenses Operating Deficit Before Contributions and Fundraising CONTRIBUTIONS AND FUNDRAISING Individual Giving Foundations & Business Special Events Bequest Total Contributed Revenue CHANGE IN NET ASSETS
$ 1,105,191 $ 217,036 $ 203,549 $ 1,525,776 $ 758,711
$ 396,787 $ 358,504 $ 211,723 $ 134,000 $ 1,101,015 $ 342,303
Statement Of Financial Position
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ASSETS Current Assets Fixed Assets Other Assets Total Assets
$722,534 $ 6,972 $22,725 $ 752,232
LIABILITIES & NET ASSETS Current Liabilities Net Assets - Unrestricted Total Liabilities & Net Assets
$ 194,716 $ 557,516 $ 752,232
Fiscal year: July 1, 2019 - June 30, 2020 Preliminary Statements as of 9/30/20
Before unexpectedly closing our fourth production of the season, The Children, we were on track to have one of our most successful seasons both artistically and financially. We had exceeded our subscriber goal by almost 10%, and both Choir Boy and Admissions surpassed their income goals by more than 40%! Most subscribers and ticket buyers for canceled performances of The Children donated their tickets back to the company (thank you!), so you will see that reflected in Contributed, rather than Earned Revenue. Earned Revenue for Bright Star was postponed to next season. Our Contributed Revenue was fortified by a $70,000 COVID-19 relief grant from the Barr-Klarman MA Arts Initiative, and we were very generously supported by our individual donors throughout the spring. We also received both the second and third installments of a generous bequest from Donald E. Fulton that will help sustain us through the theatre’s closure. Lastly, we also expect 100% forgiveness on our loan from the Paycheck Protection Program. During this time of closure, the board and staff are actively working on a number of projects that will strengthen the company in the long term. The most important of these is our investment in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Anti-Racism work; and we are firmly committed to becoming a more inclusive and anti-racist organization – from top to bottom, inside and out. Before this crisis, we had been actively building a long-term financial strategy for capitalization — to support the company through emergencies as well as provide capital for innovation and investment. Though our timeline may change, we are continuing to plan for the future and have strict controls in place to ensure that all expenses are necessary to sustain the organization and best position it for the future. I cannot thank you enough for your continuing and generous support of SpeakEasy, and I look forward to gathering together again just as soon as we can! Sincerely yours,
Alexander Baker Chair, SpeakEasy Board of Directors
SPEAKEASY LEADERSHIP Board of Directors Michael Appell Alex Baker, Chair Catherine Cotton Paul Daigneault, President Richard Davies DannĂŠ Davis Kerry A. Dowling Jonathan Dyer Andrew Fullem, Vice Chair
Board of Advisors
Michael Appell, Chair Bob Band Gene Bauer & Ellen Shortell Susan Black Jon & Dixie Lee Borus Brian Bourquin & Paul Mataras Gregory Bulger & Richard Dix Joseph Castellana & Jim Seligman Stacey & Chris Constas Anne d’Avenas Tom Formicola & Lenny Goldstein Joe Gimbel and Jo Strobel Curly Glynn Laura Haas William Kelly
Melissa Langa Peter Palladino, Treasurer Joey Riddle Nancy Roberts Jim Stiles Ann Teixeira, Clerk Barney Weinstein Tom Weisend Clea Winneg
Robby Morse Levy Keith MacDonald & Tom Webber Benjamin Manthei Jeffrey Mello Roberta Orlandino Grace Parker Robert Pascucci Ellen Piccioli Kenneth & Rise Shepsle Hal Tepfer Sandra Weinstein Hannah Weisman Neal Winneg Angela Yarde Julianne Yazbek
All photos courtesy of Nile Scott Studios; except page 2 (left and top right photos), page 6, page 10, and back cover (right and middle left photo), Maggie Hall; page 5, Todd McNeel; page 12 (right photo), Michelle Parkos; page 16, Justin Saglio; page 12 (middle and left photo), page 14, page 18, page 19, SpeakEasy staff or artists.
Staff
Paul Daigneault, Producing Artistic Director Paul Melone, General & Production Manager Jim Torres, Director of Marketing & Communications Cathi Ianno, Director of Development Dawn Saglio, Company Manager Dominique Burford, Associate Manager of Production & Operations Alex Lonati, Community Programs & Events Manager Evan Turissini, Creative Services & Social Media Manager Frankie Concepcion, Development Coordinator Jasmine Brooks, Boston Project Coordinator Shira Gitlin, Artistic Fellow
Interns
Julien Alam, Jacqueline Bonnet, Grace Campbell, Lia Capotorto, Bella Cavicchi, Paul DeLibero, Jonah Greene, Drew Hawkinson, Anabel Johnson, Caroline Knapp, Anna Langrehr, Ashley Lyon, William Lynn, Ali Molaei, Anna Newton, Amy Ollove, Jill Tokac, Yagmur Topcu
#HomeStyleGalaLooks from SpeakEasy staff and friends
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