We are back!
This is a phrase that stage managers use on a daily basis to let the acting company know that the break is over. SMArts took a much-needed hiatus last year but we are now back and ready to see you at the 2026 Hybrid SMArts conference. This year’s conference will take place from Tuesday, April 16 to Monday, April 27.
We learned a lot from the first hybrid conference and have made some small tweaks to the format. We have kept to the two courses per day at times that suit all our participants from across Canada. The conference will also begin with 2 days that are fully online for sessions that lend themselves better to a fully virtual space. And finally there will be three courses that are only available to our in-person participants at the end of the conference. This hybrid format allows for both in-person connection and networking opportunities and the inclusivity and accessibility of our virtual format. It also allows us to bring in instructors from across the country and continue to offer the majority of our courses to those unable to travel to Toronto.
The big news this year is our change of venue. We are now partnering with York University’s School of the Arts, Media, Performance & Design. This is a collaboration that has been 3 years in the making. Thank you to Aaron Kelly and Christina Cicko for spearheading this partnership. We are grateful to Peter Fleming and the team at Toronto Metropolitan University for being our home for the last 14 conferences.
Below you will find our schedule of events. There are three time slots where we will be offering two courses simultaneously on the same topic – apprentices, Canadian Theatre Agreement, and music. These sessions allow people to choose the level of experience that suits their situation. For example – you can either learn to read music, or if you already know how to follow along with a score, you can learn how to call from a score.
We have also changed our pricing structure. All Basic Skills courses will continue to be offered at $40 while our specialized courses have been increased to $45/course to cover the increasing costs of running the hybrid format. As well, to allow as many people as possible to attend, we are offering subsidized seats. If you can donate any amount towards helping those in our community who cannot afford to take a course, we would greatly appreciate it. You can donate upon check out, or through this link. If you choose the Subsidized option for a course, registration will be confirmed as funds become available.
Finally, as is our custom, we will close the conference with a Night of a 1,001 Stage Managers. Everyone is welcome whether you attended the conference or not! SMArts will supply finger foods.
Date: Monday, April 27th
Time: 7:30 p.m. until late
Venue: TBD
Sincerely,
Janelle Rainville
Director – SMArts
Please note
There are three courses that are not available virtually – Reading Plans/Taping a floor, Foundations of Staged Combat, and Giving Notes.
The following courses are not available in person – Cirque du Soleil, Scheduling and Planning, and Health & Safety.
Location
Please note
All courses will be held at York University, Centre for Film and Theatre, (4700 Keele Street). Rooms to be communicated closer to the date. A document showing you how to find the venue will be sent two days prior to the conference for all in person participants.
Pricing
Includes all 20 courses ($35/course, actual value is $900)
Includes all 17 courses ($35/course, actual value is $765)
Donate any amount toward a subsidized seat. This money will be collected to help make the conference accessible to those who do not have the financial means.
Terms & Conditions
- Registration may be made in advance by email or online.
- Applications must include payment in full, paid by Visa, MasterCard, or American Express.
- SMArts reserves the right to substitute instructors.
- All classes are on a first-come, first-served basis. Your place will be guaranteed upon registration with the required course fee.
Cancellation
- 7 or more days prior to the day of the class: 75% of course fee refunded
- 3 to 6 days prior to the day of the class: 30% of course fee refunded
- 2 days or less prior to the day of the class: NO REFUND
In the event that SMArts cancels a course, 85% of your registration fee for that class will be refunded.
SMArts reserves the right to determine participants’ continuation in any course, and will pro-rate refunds accordingly.
SMArts will only be accepting participants who are currently working as stage managers or who have the goal of becoming a professional stage manager.
For more information about the SMArts Conference or specific registration questions, please contact Janelle Rainville.
Schedule
Please note
Some courses are held concurrently. You are only able to take one or the other. For example, CTA is held at the same time as CTA 2. If you have worked with the CTA on previous contracts, then we suggest taking CTA 2 for a more in-depth discussion about over time.
Thursday, April 16
Friday, April 17
Saturday, April 18
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Resumes
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Sunday, April 19
Monday, April 20
Tuesday, April 21
Wednesday, April 22
Thursday, April 23
Friday, April 24
Saturday, April 25
Sunday, April 26
Monday, April 27
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Reading Plans / Taping a Floor
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Night of a 1,001 Stage Managers
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Closing Night Party