COVID Edition 2020
They say the show must on…but just not always in the same format.
When the state of emergency was announced, we were deep in the planning stages for the Toronto conference. We figured we would have to cancel and put everything on the back burner until 2021. But we stage managers are a hardy lot and we decided to pivot and re-imagine the conference.
I was hesitant to move the conference online for two reasons. Firstly, we are very sensitive to the fact that while many stage managers now have ample time for professional development, they have lost anywhere from 6 weeks to 6 months worth of contracts. While we would love to offer our courses for free, we believe in paying our instructors and staff, and SMArts is not in a financial position to carry that cost. Secondly, one of SMArts core values is creating community. Participants and instructors discuss issues not only inside the conference room but also on breaks, over coffee, and at the bar on the closing night. My fear was if we moved online we would lose that sense of community.
So we came up with a plan that answered both of those concerns.
WEEK 1 (May 4 – 8)
Each day we hosted a FREE national conversation / panel discussion on different topics of interest to the stage management community.
These conversations took place on ZOOM at 1 p.m. EDT so that stage managers from across the country could join in.
WEEK 2-3 (May 11 – 22)
Each day we offered one course online taught by one of our expert instructors. The courses were chosen for their fit for online delivery.
The cost of courses was on a sliding scale from $10 – $35.
Courses were capped at 40 participants.
This was a new venture for SMArts and we were excited, and slightly nervous, about the COVID Edition of our conference.
Courses Offered
Basic Skills
- Calling a show
- Giving Notes
- Health and Safety
- Notation / Forms / Prep week
- Scheduling & Planning
- Reading Music
- Reading plans / Taping a floor
- Canadian Theatre Agreement
- Joining Equity
- How to be a good Apprentice
Advanced Skills
- safeTALK
- Unions and Professional Associations
Genres
- Cruise Ships
- Dance
- Opera
- ASL interpreted Shows
Positions
- Assistant Stage Manager
Future
- Resumes
- Tax Preparation for Stage Managers
Departments
- Wardrobe and Wigs
Courses Offered
Basic Skills
- Calling a show
- Notation/Forms / Prep week
- Scheduling & Planning
- Reading Music
- Reading plans / Taping a floor
- Canadian Theatre Agreement
- Joining Equity
- How to be a good Apprentice
Advanced Skills
- Best practices – firearms
- Creating a Safe Workspace
- Stage Managing Intimacy
Genres
- Industrials
- Devised Theatre
- Theatre for Young Audiences
- Dance
Positions
- Company Management
Future
- Resumes
- Job Interviews
- Networking 101
Photos from the conference
Toronto 2017
Description of conference
Courses Offered
Basic Skills
- Reading plans / Taping a floor
- Safety
- Notation / Forms / Prep Week
- How to Be a Good Apprentice
- Problem Solving
Genres
- Film Festivals
- Repertory Theatre: The Stratford Model
- Special Events
- Television
Advanced Skills
- Training Apprentices
- Calling a Show Part 2: More Moving Parts
Advanced Basics
- Foundations of Stage Combat
- Working in a Digital World
Your Future
- Joining Equity
- Resumes
Departments
- Working with QLab
Trust Fund Party
Photos from the conference
Toronto 2016
Description of conference
Courses Offered
- Planning and Scheduling
- How to be a good Apprentice
- Best Practises – Blades
- Reading Plans / Taping a floor
- Giving Notes
- Producer
- Notation / Forms / Prep Week
- Safety
- Commercial Musicals
- Touring with Cirque du Soleil
- Production Manager
- Assistant Stage Manager
- Calling a Show / Prompt Books
- Wardrobe
- Reading Music
- Stage Managing Opera
- Joining Equity
- Canadian Theatre Agreement #1
- NEWest Stuff in the CTA
- Problem Solving
- Resumes
Photos from the conference
Toronto 2015
Description of conference
Courses Offered
- Planning and Scheduling
- Best Practises – Firearms
- Reading Plans / Taping a floor
- Giving Notes
- Interviews / Contract Negotiation
- Notation / Forms / Prep Week
- Safety
- Doing your Taxes
- Stage Managing Cirque du Soleil
- Theatre for Young Audiences
- Assistant Stage Manager
- Calling a Show / Prompt Books
- CAEA Apprenticeships
- Reading Music
- Stage Managing Dance
- Stage Managing on Cruise Ships
- Canadian Theatre Agreement #1
- Problem Solving
- Resumes
- Directors
Photos from the conference
Toronto 2014
Description of conference
Courses Offered
- Planning and Scheduling
- Company Management
- Reading Plans / Taping a floor
- Giving Notes
- Interviews / Contract Negotiation
- Notation / Forms / Prep Week
- Safety
- Financial Planning
- Special Events
- Designers
- Assistant Stage Manager
- Calling a Show / Prompt Books
- CAEA Apprenticeships
- Reading Music
- Stage Managing Dance
- Stage Managing on Cruise Ships
- Canadian Theatre Agreement #1
- Problem Solving
- Unions
- Working with Wardrobe
- Stage Managing Opera
- Film Festivals
- Resumes
Photos from the conference
Toronto 2012
Description of conference
Courses Offered
- Planning and Scheduling
- Notation / Forms / Prep Week
- Stage Combat
- Giving Notes
- Assistant Stage Manager
- Directors
- Apprentices
- Canadian Theatre Agreement #1
- Canadian Theatre Agreement #2
- Production Stage managing
- Safety
- Television
- Resumes
- Theatre for Young Audiences
- Reading Plans / Taping a Floor
- Calling a Show / Prompt books
- Job Interviews / Contract Negotiations
- Working on Cruise Ships
- Commercial Musicals
- Financial Planning
- Unions
- Problem Solving
- Reading Music
Photos from the conference
