"As well as being hosted by Barbara Eifler, executive director, and Rebecca Emery - chair of the board of the SMA - and featuring a keynote speech by Vikki Heywood, we also have two panel discussions taking place. The first focusses on Valuing Stage Management, and is chaired by the charismatic Ken Bennett-Hunter, with Jamie Byron, James Williams, Antonia Collins and Charles Evans, all established professionals in the industry," say organisers.
The afternoon will feature five break-out sessions: Social Media and the Stage Manager, led by Caron Jane Lyon who specialises in online communications and networking; A Look at Life After Stage Management, with Antonia Collins and Jennie Parke Matheson; and Creating a Complex Book during which Sharon Hobden and Adam Lawley will talk about preparing to call a busy show.
Another panel discussion - The Touring Code of Conduct for Stage Managers - will follow, chaired by Barbara Eifler with Lucinda Harvey, David Evans and Jonathan Oliver and covering the TMA/BECTU code of conduct for get-ins, fit-ups and get-outs. The final session will focus on CVs and covering letters, with Rebecca Emery and John Caswell.
"We will also be presenting a Mystery Musical Interlude, sponsored by Stage Electrics, culminating in an evening drinks reception sponsored by Bridge Insurance who will be launching public liability insurance specific to stage management at the conference. Refreshments throughout the day will be sponsored by Black Light," add the organisers.
For full sponsorship listings, the digital programme for the conference is now available at the SMA website.
(Claire Beeson)
