The very first Stage Management conference takes place soon on Sunday 12 February. It is organised by the Stage Management Association (SMA) which is the national organisation for stage managers and those interested in stage management and other backstage work and will be held at the Arts Theatre in London's West End. You don't have to be a member of the Stage Management Association to attend but it will cost you less if you are.
It will open with a welcome from the Association's Chair Rebecca Emery and Executive Director Barbara Eifler and that will be followed by a keynote address from Vikki Heywood, now Executive Director of the RSC but herself a former stage manager.
The rest of the morning is devoted to a panel discussion on valuing stage management which will be chaired by charismatic Ken Bennett-Hunter (theatre consultant, Editor of the ABTT's journal Sightline, co-editor of Backstage Focus in The Stage and with more than 30 years experience of theatre as a stage manager, production manager and general manager) who will be joined by Jamie Byron, James Williams, Antonia Collins and Charles Evans—all established professionals in the industry.
Lunch, which is sponsored by ETC, also heralds the launch of the SMA mentoring scheme, headed up by Antonia Collins, which pairs recent newcomers to the profession with experienced stage managers.
Creating a complex book which will feature Sharon Hobden & Adam Lawley talking about preparing to call a busy show.
What Next? Life After Stage Management with Antonia Collins & Jennie Parke Matheson.
Social Media and the Stage Manager led by Caron Jane Lyon who specialises in online
communications and networking.
CVs and covering letters—the 'dos' and 'don'ts' with Rebecca Emery & John Caswell.
The Touring Code of Conduct for Stage Managers which will be a panel discussion chaired by Barbara Eifler with Lucinda Harvey, David Evans and Jonathan Oliver, talking about The TMA/BECTU Code of Conduct for Get-ins, Fit-ups and Get-outs
A surprise musical interlude is promised before the final Plenary Session sums up the day and looks at the way forward for SMA and the conference will end with a drinks reception.
Conference fees (£30 for members, £40 everyone else) cover lunch, refreshments through the day and the drinks reception and bookings can be made until 11 February on line at http://www.stagemanagementassociation.co.uk.