This month, Board Member Tom Mays and his husband, Orlando Zayas, generously sponsored all specialty cocktails for our 80th Season. We sat down with Tom to discuss his Alley journey from patron to Board Member and why he and his husband love our handcrafted specialty cocktails.
What’s your first Alley Memory?
My first Alley memory goes back to 1971. My English teacher at my high school in Beaumont organized a field trip to the Alley to see a production of Thornton Wilder’s Our Town on the Hubbard stage. I was familiar with the play, but this was my first time seeing it come alive on stage. I was impressed by the theatre itself, the actors, costumes, and set, and the excitement of seeing a show at the Alley. While I had been to community theatre productions in Beaumont, this was my first exposure to professional theatre.
What made you go from Alley patron to Alley donor to Alley board member?
I guess going from patron to donor to board member was a natural progression in my long-time support of the Alley. By dedicating time and money, I feel I am doing what I can to further the Alley’s long-range goals and continued success in the theatre community. It is both a privilege and a joy to serve on the board along with such dedicated Alley supporters as Ken Kades, Lois Stark, and Kathry Ketelsen, to name a few.
What’s your favorite Alley experience?
I have several favorite Alley experiences: being at the Tony Awards the year the Alley received the Tony Award for Best Regional Theatre. Another was following Jekyll and Hyde from its development and premiere at the Alley and to a successful run on Broadway. Another more recent Alley experience was meeting Lynn Wyatt at an opening night dinner a few years ago. I knew of her extraordinary decades-long support for the arts in Houston and her legendary status as a fashion icon, but it was great to meet her and to have a conversation with her.
What is your favorite Alley Specialty cocktail so far?
My favorite Alley Specialty Cocktail was the Dirty Dr. Pepper.
Why have you chosen to sponsor the specialty cocktails this season?
We have chosen to sponsor the specialty cocktails this season because I like the idea of creating a special cocktail that ties into the show. It is a clever idea. I enjoy craft cocktails, and a good mixologist can create some really original drinks. I always try the specialty cocktail at every production.
What makes you most excited about the 80th Season?
The 80th season is one season that I can truthfully say I am looking forward to every show: four well-known plays, four new works, the familiar Christmas shows, and the Alley All New festival, which is always fun. I am most excited to see Romeo and Juliet. We all know the story. I know Rob Melrose likes directing Shakespeare, and I am excited to see what he does with this.
Specialty Cocktails are sponsored by Tom Mays and Orlando Zayas.
