Theater News

SpeakEasy Stage Company Announces Honorees for 2017 Spring Gala

Producing artistic director Paul Daigneault names two recipients of the Mayor Thomas M. Menino Memorial Award.

A scene from Grand Concourse, directed by Bridget Kathleen O'Leary, currently running at SpeakEasy Stage Company.
A scene from Grand Concourse, directed by Bridget Kathleen O'Leary, currently running at SpeakEasy Stage Company.
(© Glenn Perry)

SpeakEasy Stage Company will honor artist and educator Lovely Hoffman and Boston philanthropist Samuel Yin at its 2017 spring gala, to be held Saturday, April 8, at the Hyatt Regency, Boston.

Hoffman and Yin will receive the company’s Mayor Thomas M. Menino Memorial Award for Inspired Support of the Arts in Boston. The award was established by SpeakEasy Stage in 2015 to honor the late mayor’s legacy and commitment to the arts in Boston.

For over 10 years, Hoffman has taught middle school social studies by day, while simultaneously pursuing a career as an actor, singer, and songwriter. She has made it a priority to consistently organize social justice and arts initiatives for her students, while also ensuring that students have access to the arts. As an artist, Hoffman has won numerous awards, including a 2015 IRNE Award for her portrayal of Celie in SpeakEasy’s production of The Color Purple.

Yin has served as chair and vice-chair of the board of trustees of Massachusetts College of Art and Design, chaired the Boston Cultural Council, and served on the boards of both the Boston Center for the Arts and SpeakEasy Stage. In his work life, Yin served as the director and vice president of Scientific Affairs of Stryker Biotech.

"Throughout their many years of service, both Lovely and Sam have advocated for and demonstrated the power of the arts to change lives and build healthy, vibrant communities," said SpeakEasy's producing artistic director Paul Daigneault. "Thus, we are excited to honor them both with the company’s own Mayor Thomas M. Menino Memorial Award, given annually for Inspired Support of the Arts in Boston."

For tickets and more information about the spring gala, click here.

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