Theatre-based education has been a core of our mission for decades. Through workshops, performances, and classroom visits, the Musicant-Cohen Backstage program introduces high school and middle school students to career opportunities in the creative economy. The G. Lee Humphrey First Page Playwrighting Festival invites students to discover their voice through the writing and presentation of a 10-minute play.
History & Legacy
Boston's Oldest Professional Theatre Company
A Commitment to Local Artists
In 1998, Spiro Veloudos was appointed Producing Artistic Director. During his tenure, he continued Ron and Polly’s commitment to local artists; with few exceptions, the theatrical artists that work at Lyric Stage live in the Greater Boston area. Spiro also established a reputation for staging large musicals in the company’s modest playing space, including his signature Sondheim initiative, which covered 10 musicals over 20 years.
A Commitment to Education
Theatre-based education has been a core of our mission for decades. Through workshops, performances, and classroom visits, the Musicant-Cohen Backstage program introduces high school and middle school students to career opportunities in the creative economy. The G. Lee Humphrey First Page Playwrighting Festival invites students to discover their voice through the writing and presentation of a 10-minute play.
Our Commitment to the Future
In 2019, the Board appointed Matt Chapuran as Executive Director and Courtney O’Connor as Artistic Director. In 2023, Courtney was named Producing Artistic Director and is now joined by Alex Chisholm as Managing Director. Together, they continue the work of centering Lyric Stage in Boston’s theatrical community, introducing live theater to new audiences, and promoting new theatrical voices in Boston and nationwide.
Investing in Boston Artists
The Polly & Spiro Fund for Artistic Excellence
Polly Hagan, our founding Artistic Director, and Spiro Veloudos, a dynamic producer and director, believed in, trained, and championed Boston area artists at Lyric Stage. To honor their legacy and support emerging theatre makers, we established The Polly & Spiro Fund for Artistic Excellence, enabling us to invest in directors, designers, and actors as they develop their careers and bring new talent to our stage. With financial resources not tied to operational and production budgets, we’re able to invite artists to expand their imaginations and realize new potentials while creating excellent theatre for audiences.
Lyric Stage Awards
2025
Elliot Norton Award
Outstanding Costume Design, Midsize
2024
Elliot Norton Award
Outstanding Director, Midsize in memory of Spiro Veloudos, Courtney O’Connor, Assassins
2023
Elliot Norton Award
Outstanding Leading Performance in a Musical, Neil A. Casey, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder
2020
Elliot Norton Award
Outstanding Director, Midsize in memory of Spiro Veloudos, Courtney O’Connor, Assassins
2019
Elliot Norton Award
Outstanding Production, Midsize Theater, The Wolves
Elliot Norton Award
Outstanding Musical Performance, Davron S. Monroe, Breath & Imagination
Elliot Norton Award
Outstanding Director, Midsize Theater, A. Nora Long, The Wolves
IRNE Award
Best Projection Design, Small Theatre, Jonathan Carr, Kiss of the Spider Woman
IRNE Award
Best Supporting Actress (Musical), Small Theater, Yewande Odetoyinbo, Breath and Imagination
IRNE Award
Best Actor (Musical), Small Theater, Eddy Cavazos, Kiss of the Spider Woman
2018
Elliot Norton Award
Outstanding Musical Performance by an Actor, Will McGarrahan, Souvenir
Elliot Norton Award
Outstanding Musical Performance by an Actress, Leigh Barrett, Gypsy & Souvenir
Elliot Norton Award
Outstanding Director, Midsize Theater, Summer L. Williams, Barbecue
2017
Elliot Norton Award
Outstanding Actress, Midsize Theatre, Paula Plum, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
Elliot Norton Award
Outstanding Production Midsize Theatre, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
IRNE Award
Best Projection Design, Seaghan McKay, Sondheim on Sondheim
2016
Elliot Norton Award
Outstanding Musical Production, Midsize, Small or Fringe, My Fair Lady
Elliot Norton Award
Outstanding Actress, Midsize, Cloteal Horne, Saturday Night/Sunday Morning
Elliot Norton Award
Outstanding Solo Performance, Phil Tayler, Buyer & Cellar
Elliot Norton Award
Outstanding Director, Midsize, Scott Edmiston, My Fair Lady
Elliot Norton Award
Musical Performance by an Actress, Jennifer Ellis, My Fair Lady
IRNE Award
Best Solo Performance, Phil Tayler, Buyer & Cellar
IRNE Award
Best Actress, Midsize (Drama), Lindsey McWhorter, Intimate Apparel
IRNE Award
Best Actress, Musical, Jennifer Ellis, My Fair Lady
IRNE Award
Best Director, Musical, Scott Edmiston, My Fair Lady
IRNE Award
Best Musical, My Fair Lady
IRNE Award
Special Award for Valiant Replacement, Paula Plum, Red Hot Patriot
2015
Elliot Norton Award
Outstanding Actor, Midsize, Nael Nacer, Intimate Apparel
Elliot Norton Award
Elliot Norton Award
Elliot Norton Award
Outstanding Musical Performance by an Actress, Aimee Doherty, Into the Woods
Elliot Norton Award
Outstanding Musical Production, Into the Woods
IRNE Award
Best Lighting Design, Franklin Meissner, Jr., Sweeney Todd
IRNE Award
Best Ensemble, Small Theater, Into the Woods
IRNE Award
Best Supporting Actress, Midsize (Drama), Paula Plum, Death of a Salesman
IRNE Award
Best Supporting Actor, Midsize (Drama), Kelby T. Akin, Death of a Salesman
IRNE Award
Best Director of a Musical, Spiro Veloudos, Into the Woods
IRNE Award
Best Musical, Into the Woods
IRNE Award
Best Play, Midsize, Death of a Salesman