Steve HAYS

Biography
Steve Hays
175 Forest Park Avenue
Springfield, MA 01108

Childhood:

Born in 1939 and raised in Waltham, Massachusetts. Graduated from Waltham HS in 1957.

Education:

  • Graduated cum laude from Bowdoin College 1961 with Major in Music
  • Studied accounting at University of Rhode Island 1965.
  • Woodrow Wilson Grant
  • Ford Foundation Intern at Cleveland Playhouse 1965-66

Military:

  • Served in US Navy as Supply Officer 1962-1965

Career:

  • Created and managed StageWest, a regional theatre, 1966-1984
  • Operated Hays Associates, a fund-raising consulting group 1984-1994
  • Director of Development Fine Arts Center Mass 1988-1990
  • Director of Development Yiddish Book Center 1990-1994
  • ` Created and managed the Drama Studio, 1987-2020
  • Musical Theatre Coach at University of Hartford 2017-2020

Activities:

  • Created and manages Illumination Night in Forest Park 1986- present
  • Created and directs The Boar’s Head Festival at Trinity Church 1984-present
  • Springfield Exchange Club Program Director and President 1973-1976
  • Chair: Step Out Hike to purchase T-Rex for Springfield Science Museum
  • Springfield Cultural Council, Member 1995-2001 and Chair
  • Springfield Historical Commission, Founder, Member and Chair
  • Forest Park Zoo, Board Member
  • Volunteer: Drama Studio development program

Awards:

  • William Pyncheon Award 2012
  • NEPR Arts and Humanities Award 2011