A Message from our Artistic Director

Friends of SpeakEasy,

As we continue this remarkable season at SpeakEasy Stage, I’m filled with excitement and gratitude for the chance to help guide our theatre into its next chapter. This year’s lineup—full of bold stories, fresh voices, and unforgettable performances—reflects the heart of what SpeakEasy has always stood for: connection, curiosity, and community.

If you have not yet subscribed to this incredible season, I invite you to do so. You won’t want to miss a single moment of the vibrant, thought-provoking work we’re proud to be bringing to Boston audiences in 2026. It’s a thrilling time to be part of SpeakEasy, and I’m honored to lead this talented team as we look toward an inspiring future together.

With much gratitude and excitement,

Dawn M. Simmons
Artistic Director, SpeakEasy Stage Company

Stories That Matter

Since September 2024, SpeakEasy Stage Company brought audiences together through SEVEN unforgettable performances that stayed true to our values of artistry, empathy, and community – celebrating our past while embracing the possibilities ahead. Each show told a story that moved us, challenged us, and reminded us why live theatre matters. We’re so grateful to everyone who joined us on this journey and helped our stages come alive. Here’s our roundup of stories that we think matter: 

LAUGHS IN SPANISH 

SEPTEMBER 13 – October 12, 2024
WRITTEN BY Alexis Scheer
DIRECTED BY Mariela Lopez Ponce

SpeakEasy kicked off its 2024-2025 Season with the cafecito-infused comedy Laugh in Spanish by celebrated Boston playwright Alexis Sheer. Under the dynamic direction of Mariela Lopez-Ponce, Laughs in Spanish brought the Miami heat to Boston with standout performances from Rebekah Rae Robles, Paola Ferrer, Luz Lopez, Daniel Rios, Jr., and Brogan Nelson – whose comedic timing, emotional connection, and dazzling chemistry brought to life a story that celebrated the heart of SpeakEasy and allowed us to partner with Teatro Chelsea to bring together the Latine community at our Noche Latina event.

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PRU PAYNE

October 18 – November 16, 2024
WRITTEN BY Steven Drukman
DIRECTED BY Paul Daigneault

Under the expert direction of Paul Daigneault, Pru Payne delivered a deeply moving exploration of memory, identity, and human connection. This East-Coast Premiere showcased a stellar cast of local and national talent, including Karen MacDonald, Gordon Clapp, Greg Maraio, and De’Lon Grant, who brought Pulitzer Prize nominee Steven Drukman’s latest work to life with wit, humor, and heartfelt poignancy.

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AIN’T NO MO’


January 10 – FEBRUARY 8, 2025
WRITTEN BY Jordan E. Cooper
DIRECTED BY Dawn M. Simmons

Ain’t No Mo’ showcased SpeakEasy Stage Company at its best and boldest, earning critical acclaim for Jordan E. Cooper’s Tony-nominated satire that imagines what might happen if the entire Black population of the U.S was offered a one-way ticket back to Africa. Under the dynamic direction of Dawn M. Simmons, the production’s exceptional cast featuring Grant Evans as Peaches, layered wit, heart, and unflinching honesty to the show’s multiple vignettes and characters. Ain’t No Mo’ marked another collaboration with Front Porch Arts Collective, further bridging our mission with the greater Boston community and sparking collective conversation through theatre.

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A MAN OF NO IMPORTANCE


February 21 – March 22, 2025
WRITTEN BY Terrence McNally
MUSIC BY Stephen Flaherty
DIRECTED BY Paul Daigneault
Music Direction by paul s. katz

A Man of No Importance celebrated identity, community, and the joys of theatre under the final directorial vision of Paul Daigneault. Featuring standout performances including Eddie Shields, Keith Robinson, Kathy St. George, and an exceptional instrument-playing ensemble, A Man of No Importance taught us how to find love and belonging in the humblest of places.  

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JAJA’S AFRICAN HAIR BRAIDING

May 2 – May 31, 2025
WRITTEN BY Jocelyn Bioh
DIRECTED BY Summer L. Williams

SpeakEasy rounded out our 2024-2025 season with Jaja’s African Hair Braiding–Jocelyn Bioh’s energizing production that bursts with joy, magic, and heart and centers a Harlem hair salon in a touching exploration of identity, immigration, and belonging. Led under the vibrant direction of Summer L. Williams, Jaja’s African Hair Braiding reminded us of the strength in sisterhood, and featured a dazzling cast including MaConnia Chesser as Jaja alongside Dru Sky Berrian, Kwezi Shongwe, Crystin Gilmore, and a dynamic ensemble. 

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PRIMARY TRUST

September 12 – October 11, 2025
WRITTEN BY Eboni Booth
DIRECTED BY Dawn M. Simmons

SpeakEasy opened its 2025–2026 season, our milestone 35th, with Eboni Booth’s Pulitzer Prize-winning Primary Trust, which warmed audiences’ and critics’ hearts everywhere. Following the unassuming life of Kenneth, a long-time small-town bookstore clerk, Primary Trust revealed how the smallest acts of kindness can have the biggest impact, and maybe even save a life. With newly appointed Artistic Director Dawn M. Simmons and a critically acclaimed performance from David J. Castillo as Kenneth, Primary Trust marked the beginning of an exciting new chapter at SpeakEasy while continuing our commitment to profound storytelling and captivating performances.

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LIZARD BOY

October 24 – November 22, 2025
MUSIC, LYRICS, AND BOOK BY Justin Huertas
DIRECTED BY Lyndsay Allen Cox
MUSIC DIRECTION by Violet Wang

Lizard Boy brought a comic-book adventure and indie-rock sound to our season, following Trevor on a first date that spirals into a journey of self-confidence, identity, unexpected romance, and even a few dragons. Directed by Lyndsay Allyn Cox with music direction by Violet Wang, the production showcased a trio of actor-musicians who accompanied themselves on everything from cello and percussion to acoustic guitar, piano, and even a kazoo. Keiji Ishiguri, Chelsie Nectow, and Peter DiMaggio made their SpeakEasy debuts and wowed audiences with their onstage chemistry and tightly synced musicality, bringing this genre-defying musical to vibrant life.

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CONVERSATIONS THAT EXCITE

At SpeakEasy, our mission has always been to start conversations and build meaningful communities —and this year was truly unforgettable. We were thrilled to welcome audiences for our Affinity Night celebrations, evocative talkbacks with visiting playwrights, Access programming, and special events!

These moments reminded us how theatre can spark dialogue, connection, and joy. And to top it all off, our Annual Gala became our largest fundraiser to date—an inspiring testament to the passion and generosity of our SpeakEasy family.

Playwright Visits

This past year, we were thrilled to welcome numerous playwrights to Boston from our season, including: 

  • September 29th, 2024: A post-show conversation with playwright of Laughs in Spanish Alexis Scheer, hosted by Walt McGough. 
  • November 3, 2024: Post-show Q&A with playwright of Pru Payne, Steven Drukman
  • January 25, 2025: Talkback with Ain’t No Mo’ playwright Jordan E Cooper. Watch the full video here!
  • May 8, 2025: Jaja’s African Hairbraiding playwright Jocelyn Bioh attended the performance, delivered an inspirational speech, and participated in multiple media engagements. Watch content from that night here!
  • November 5, 2025: Lizard Boy playwright and composer Justin Huertas joined us to give a rousing talkback.

Affinity Night Celebrations

  • Noche Latina for Laughs in Spanish In partnership with Teatro Chelsea, this pre-show event was a celebration of Latin culture, with Cuban food, a DJ spinning records, dancing, and laughter. See inside this night here!
  • BlackOUT Night for Ain’t No Mo’ – In partnership with Front Porch Arts Collective, this post-show event was complete with a dance party. Check out content from that night here!
  • BlackOUT Night at Jaja’s African Hair Braiding followed by an event at Reunion BBQ
  • Asian Joy Night at Lizard Boy in partnership with CHAUNG Stage

Special Events & 2025 Gala

SpeakEasy presented a number of thrilling special events this year — Including our 2025 Gala!

  • AMONI Alumni and Artist Night: SpeakEasy Alumni and staff gathered together for a special night celebrating Paul Daigneault’s journey at SpeakEasy at Bootleg Special!
  • Sláinte: A Toast to Irish Folk Music in Boston: SpeakEasy partnered with WBUR’s CitySpace to bring a night of Irish Folk Music to Boston in collaboration with our production of a Man of No Importance! Watch the full set here. 
  • Jaja’s Student Matinees: SpeakEasy welcomed students from 11 Greater Boston schools to our sold out student matinee of Jaja’s African Hair Braiding.
  • 2025 Gala: On April 11, 2025, we gathered at the Royal Sonesta for a night of celebration as we honored Paul Daigneault with the Mayor Thomas M. Menino Award for Inspired Support of the Arts with performances from SpeakEasy’s rich past.
    • Thomas Derrah Award Winners: Keith Richards, Em K. Ross, Kiera Prusmack
  • BackStage with Dawn: This fall, we launched our new series BackStage with Dawn! To learn more about these special events, visit us here!
  • Tiny Claws: A post-show jam session inspired by Tiny Desk, invited the Lizard Boy cast to share original music and covers after the performance, deepening engagement with both the production and its artists. These concerts took place on November 14 and 21.

Access Programming

SpeakEasy believes that theatre belongs to all — which is why creating accessible programming is crucial to our mission.

  • Access Programming: For each show in SpeakEasy’s season, we are dedicated to programming 5 accessible performances each.
    • Two Open Captioning Performances
    • Two Audio Described Performances
    • One Relaxed Performance
  • Accessible Ticketing Program: This year, we launched our Pay-What-You-Can Ticketing Program in addition to our array of other ticketing discounts. This program opens the for patrons of all incomes to partake in our programming — starting at just $15 a ticket and running the first week of each performance in our season.

At Rise: A New Musical Partnership with Somerled Arts


SpeakEasy was proud to kick off At Rise: A New Musical Partnership with Somerled Arts Foundation at our Bound For Boston event at CitySpace this fall. At Rise: Boston’s New Musicals Partnership, will be an annual workshop of a new musical in development, with the goal of propelling new musicals from concept to curtain – either on SpeakEasy’s mainstage or elsewhere.

Titles presented at the sold-out Bound For Boston event hosted by Broadway’s Liz Calloway include:

  • FINN Created by Chris Nee, Chris Dimond & Michael Kooman with Book & Lyrics by Chris Dimond & Chris Nee; Music by Michael Kooman
    • A heart-warming, coming-of-age tale about a young shark who doesn’t fit in with his dull grey pack
  • HATCHETATION — Book, Music & Lyrics by Amy Jo Jackson 
    • A comedic take on the life of the infamous Temperance Activist Carrie A. Nation
  • LEWIS LOVES CLARK — Book & Lyrics by Mike Ross, Music by Dylan MarcAurele
    • A funny, fast-paced epic about Lewis & Clark’s famous Corps of Discovery expedition
  • PRESENT PERFECT – Book & Lyrics by Nancy Nachama Cheser, Music & Spanish; Dialogue/Lyrics by Jaime Lozano; 
    • A spirited, uniquely American musical about immigrants and outsiders finding community in a New York City adult English class.
  • PROUD MARYS, Creator, Book & Lyrics by Jennifer Paz, Music & Lyrics by Anthony Fedorov
    • A seriocomic musical that busts wide open the myth of the model minority Asian-American family, one pop song at a time.

Stay tuned for more on this incredible collaboration!

An Update from Our Executive Director

To our trusted community of SpeakEasy Stage,

Time flies when you’re having fun, which is why the past 12 months at SpeakEasy have been a blur… of farewells, celebrations, welcomes, community building, and great theatre. With memorable events and the Second Act Campaign we said a celebratory farewell to Founding Artistic Director Paul Daigneault. We enthusiastically welcomed new Artistic Director Dawn M. Simmons. Through it all, this community showed up, purchasing more than 21,000 tickets last season and more than 10,000 (so far) this season!

We can’t thank you enough. However, these remain financially challenging times and we also need you more than ever. Let’s stay bold together! Let’s stay curious! SpeakEasy will continue to produce theatre that makes you laugh, cry, and think – shows that are entertaining but also bridge divides and explore different perspectives. Thank you for joining us on the ride.

With eyes to the future,

David Beardsley
Executive Director, SpeakEasy Stage Company

View FY25 Fiscal Summary

Thank you supporters and Sponsors!

In this pivotal year—and at a time when producing theatre is more challenging than ever—we rely on the strength of our donor community to provide the foundation from which we can take creative risks, tell urgent stories, and spark meaningful conversations. Your generosity is what allows SpeakEasy to remain bold, responsive, and artistically ambitious. We couldn’t be more grateful for your partnership and support. 

You make SpeakEasy happen.

We invite you to view a listing of our incredible donor community here and our corporate sponsors here.

People with Heart

  • Photo by Zoe Hopper

None of our work would be possible without SpeakEasy’s incredible leadership team and staff! To learn more about our team, visit our Leadership page Below!

View our Team!

STAY CONNECTED. GET INVOLVED.

A Message from our Board Chairs,
Constance Gist Guindo & Douglas Spencer

To our SpeakEasy Community:

As we look back on another bold year at SpeakEasy Stage, we’re filled with gratitude for you—our subscribers, our incredible donors, and audience members—whose passion for theatre fuels our work. Your enthusiasm and support continue to grow our community and bring powerful stories to life.

If you haven’t made a gift yet, we’d love to welcome you into our donor family. And if you’re considering a subscription, now’s the perfect time—our Two-Show and Three-Show Packages offer great value and guarantee you won’t miss the productions everyone will be talking about.

Thank you for standing with SpeakEasy and for being the heartbeat of this company. We can’t wait to see you this spring!

With much thanks,

Constance Gist Guindo & Douglas Spencer
Co-Chairs of the Board of Directors, SpeakEasy Stage Company

What Comes Next?

Join us for an incredible set of upcoming shows in the New Year!

Learn more about ways you can support SpeakEasy below! Thank you for a wonderful year and we look forward to seeing you at the theatre again soon!

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