Sanders is being honored with the award for his performance as Bottom in the Public Theater's Shakespeare in the Park production of A Midsummer Night's Dream. Established in 1973 in honor of Equity member Bayfield, the award honors "the best performance by an actor in a Shakespearean play in the New York metropolitan area." Sanders will receive a crystal plaque and a $1,000 check at Equity's Eastern Regional Membership Meeting Jan. 11, 2008, at the Equity offices in Manhattan.

This year's judges includes Adam Feldman, Time Out NY; Harry Haun, Playbill Magazine; Michael Kuchwara, Associated Press; and David Rosenberg, Back Stage.

Jay O. Sanders was recently seen as Alfred Doolittle in the Roundabout Theatre Company's revival of Pygmalion. His other Broadway credits include Saint Joan, The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial and Loose Ends. Sanders has also been seen at the Public Theater in Stuff Happens, Taming of the Shrew, King John, Henry V and Measure for Measure.

Last year's winner of the Bayfield Award was George Morfogen (Duke of York in Richard II at CSC); previous honorees include Barnard Hughes, Carmen DeLavalade, Nathan Lane, Dana Ivey and Brian Murray.