Daniel Lawrence Schay

Schay, Daniel Lawrence
63, of Phoenix passed away on April 7, 2016. Dan was born in Middletown, NY and lived in Jacksonville, FL and Rocky Hill, NJ before attending Yale University. Theater was Dan's life passion, whether as a producer, director, actor, fundraiser or senior manager. Throughout his career he focused on building relationships and partnerships between the arts and communities, growing audiences and raising the profiles of the organizations for which he served. Multiple institutions benefited from growth and change under his leadership. Dan's warm and engaging personality drew people in and created close personal connections. He will be missed as a mentor and friend. Dan began his career at Long Wharf Theatre in New Haven, CT before moving to the Pittsburgh Public Theater, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, The Hippodrome Theatre of Gainesville, FL, Lowell, MA's Merrimack Repertory Theatre and the Philadelphia Drama Guild. In 1995 he made Arizona home, serving as the first Executive Director of the Sedona Cultural Park and the Sedona International Film Festival. He joined Phoenix Theatre in 2004 and was instrumental in the capital campaign which financed the construction of a third theater on site. For the past four years, Theater Works at the Peoria Center for the Performing Arts was his professional home. As Executive Director, he worked closely with City leadership to build a thriving arts community in Old Town and across the West Valley. Dan's impact is far beyond the individual institutions for which he worked as he collaborated with many arts advocacy organizations, including FEDAPT (Foundation for the Extension and Development of the American Professional Theatre) and LORT (League of Resident Theatres). He was extremely proud of his positions on the boards of directors of Arizona School for the Arts, Phoenix Boys Choir, Act One Foundation, and Alliance for Audience. He consulted nationally with many arts organizations and served as site visitor for the National Endowment for the Arts for many years. In 2015 he had the distinct honor of being named a Piper Fellow by the Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust. Dan is survived by his adoring wife Barbara (Waldstein) Schay and loving son Adam Schay. He is also survived by siblings Michael Slade, Peter Schay, Marla Schay Barker, and many dear nieces and nephews. A celebration of his life will be announced in the near future. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Theater Works, 8355 W Peoria Ave, Peoria AZ, 85345 at theaterworks.org.