S.M.Arts - Stage Managing the Arts

We can’t believe it’s already been one week since we wrapped our SMArts 2026 Hybrid Conference!

This year we were joined by more than 140 people over 11 days and we couldn’t be more grateful for our wonderful SM community as it teaches, learns, and grows together with each passing year.

Stay tuned for upcoming SMArts news!

[ID: 1. A blue background with a picture of a classroom with 13 students and Meghan Speakman at the head of the table. Meghan is standing in front of a PowerPoint presentation titled “Preparing”. Below the photo, the text reads, “How to be a Good Apprentice, Meghan Speakman, April 19, 2026”. 2. A blue background with a picture of a classroom with 7 participants and Sarah Miller at the head of the table presenting with a laptop open. Below the photo, the text reads, “Effective Communication, Sarah Miller, April 21, 2026”. 3. A blue background with a picture of a classroom with 1 student and Jennifer Stein at the head of the table. Jennifer is sitting in front of a projector screen displaying a map. Below the photo, the text reads, “Special Events, Jennifer Stein, April 24, 2026”. 4. A blue background with a picture of a classroom and Theresa Tsang projected on a screen. 7 participants are smiling at the photographer as they sit around the table. Below the photo, the text reads, “SMing Opera, Theresa Tsang, April 24, 2026”. 5. A blue background with a picture of 4 tables in a room with 9 students and Tammy Everett sitting around the tables. Below the photo, the text reads, “Stage Combat, Tammy Everett, April 25, 2026”. 6. A blue background with a photo of 12 participants and Jeff Morris around a table. The table has a set maquette and ground plans on it. Below the photo, the text reads, “Reading Plans, Jeff Morris, April 27, 2026”.]

Attention all SMs and lovers of SMs: you are invited to the Night of 1,001 Stage Managers!

As has been tradition over the last 20 years, we hold the Night of 1,001 Stage Managers on the closing night of the SMArts Conference. This event was started in 1993 by Cindy Toushan and Chris Porter.

You don’t have to have attended the conference – everyone is welcome!

Join us early or come after your show/rehearsal. Come see old friends and meet new ones, network with Apprentices, commiserate with your pals, and help us celebrate another SMArts Conference!

SMArts will supply finger food and you are welcome to order from the pub’s CASH BAR and full menu. Can’t wait to see you there!

WHEN: Monday, April 27, 2026
TIME: 7:30 p.m. until late
WHERE: Pauper’s Pub, 539 Bloor Street West

[ID: A yellow background with blue, yellow, and pink fireworks going off in the background. There are blue and yellow flag party streamers hanging in the foreground. The text below the streamers reads “You are invited to… Night of A 1,001 Stage Managers. April 27, 2026, 7:30PM until late, Pauper’s Pub, 539 Bloor Street West.”]

Don’t miss out on the last 12 courses of this year’s SMArts Conference! Check out next week’s line up of fantastic SM instructors.

[ID: 1. A blue background with the text “Only 12 courses left! Meet our instructors for week two.” 2. A profile for Sarah Miller, instructor for Effective Communication & Paperwork, Tuesday, April 21 (12:00p - 4:00p EDT). 3. A profile for Janelle Rainville, instructor for Calling a Show, Tuesday, April 21 (5:30p - 9:30p EDT). 4. A profile for Bradley Dunn, instructor for Joining Equity, Wednesday, April 22 (12:00p - 3:30p EDT). 5. A profile for Louisa Adamson, instructor for Touring, Wednesday, April 22 (5:00p - 8:30p EDT) 6. A profile for Jennifer Stein, instructor for Special Events, Friday, April 24 (12:00p - 4:00p EDT). 7. A profile for Theresa Tsang, instructor for SMing Opera, Friday, April 24 (5:30p - 9:00p EDT). 8. A profile for Melissa Novecosky, instructor for LINE! Blocking & Rehearsal Management, Saturday, April 25 (12:00p - 3:30p EDT). 9. A profile for Tammy Everett, instructor for Foundations of Stage Combat, Saturday, April 25 (5:00p - 8:30p EDT). 10. A profile for Paul De Gurse, instructor for Reading Music, Sunday, April 26 (12:00p - 4:00p EDT). 11. A profile for Kat Chin, instructor for Scores: Prepping, Qing, and Calling, Sunday, April 26 (12:00p - 4:00p EDT). 12. A profile for Janelle Rainville, Alix Sideris, & David Jansen, instructors for Giving Notes, Sunday, April 26 (5:30p - 9:30p EDT). 13. A profile for Jeff Morris & Janelle Rainville, instructors for Reading Plans / Taping a Floor, Monday, April 27 (12:00p - 4:00p EDT). 14. A blue background with a black and white QR code and the title Register Now! April 16-27, 2026, followed by “visit stagemanagingthearts.ca”]

As we wrap up our first SMArts 2026 day, we are remembering the legacy and guidance of SMArts founder Winston Morgan on what would have been his 74th birthday. He is dearly missed by all who knew him.

Winston Morgan (1952 – 2016) stage managed in Canada for twenty-seven years and had the opportunity to work in a variety of situations including small, medium and large theatres across Canada, as well as festival and commercial productions. Winston worked at the Toronto International Film Festival Group as Venue Manager from 1994 until he retired in 2010. He was also involved with the Rendezvous with Madness Film Festival, Madness and Arts International Festival, Dubai International Film Festival, Workman Theatre Arts and taught Stage Management sessions at Ryerson University, Humber College, York University, George Brown College and the National Theatre School. He created S.M.Arts – Stage Managing the Arts in Canada in 1997, in order to fulfill what he saw as a need for professional development training for stage managers working in Canadian performing arts.

[ID: A blue background with a yellow vertical bar on the right covered in cream and white flowers. A circular, sepia tone photo of Winston Morgan is in the centre. He is holding up a white piece of paper with his name on it. The text below the image reads, “In Loving Memory, Winston Morgan, 1952 - 2016”]

SMArts 2026 is only 1 day away! Check out the awesome SM pros who’ll be teaching throughout week one.

[ID: 1. A blue background with the text “01 day until the SMArts 2026 Conference! Meet our instructors for week one.” 2. A profile for Caroline Watters, instructor for Cirque du Soleil: Stage Management & Aerial Show Calling, Thursday, April 16 (12:00p - 3:30p EDT). 3. A profile for Janelle Rainville, instructor for Scheduling & Planning, Thursday, April 16 (5:00p - 9:00p EDT). 4. A profile for Janet Sellery, instructor for Health & Safety, Friday, April 17 (2:00p - 6:00p EDT). 5. A profile for Kat Chin, instructor for What is in a Name? Should the title Assistant Stage Manager be changed?, Friday, April 17 (7:00p - 9:00p EDT). 6. A profile for Rick Banville, instructor for Resumes, Saturday, April 18 (12:00p - 4:00p EDT). 7. A profile for Meghan Speakman, instructor for How to be a Good Apprentice, Sunday, April 19 (12:00p - 3:30p EDT). 8. A profile for Lisa Russell, instructor for Training Apprentices, Sunday, April 19 (12:00p - 3:30p EDT). 9. A profile for Troy Taylor, instructor for Assistant Stage Managing, Sunday, April 19 (5:30p - 9:00p EDT). 10. A profile for Laura Baxter, instructor for Working with a Digital Prompt Script, Monday, April 20 (12:00p - 4:00p EDT). 11. A profile for Jennifer Riedle, instructor for Canadian Theatre Agreement (CTA), Monday, April 20 (5:30p - 9:00p EDT). 12. A profile for Allan Teichman, instructor for Canadian Theatre Agreement 2, Monday, April 20 (5:30p - 8:30p EDT). 13. A blue background with a black and white QR code and the title Register Now! April 16-27, 2026, followed by “visit stagemanagingthearts.ca”]

We are 4 days away from the SMArts 2026 Conference! Are you wanting to spice up your SM toolkit?

Check out our genre courses for some non-text based theatre skills! Only $45 each.

[ID: 1. A blue background with the text “Looking to step outside your comfort zone? Check out our exciting genre courses!” A cartoon graphic of an orange and yellow gift box bursting open with colourful confetti. 2. A blue background with the text “With courses like: Cirque du Soleil: Stage Management & Aerial Show Calling, Touring, Special Events, Stage Managing Opera. Only $45 each!” 3. A blue background with a black and white QR code and the title Register Now! April 16-27, 2026, followed by “visit stagemanagingthearts.ca”]

At the CAEA SM Members Meeting in October 2024, a discussion was had about the title of the “ASM” and what “Assistant” may mean. To continue the conversation, the SM Committee will host a national free discussion about the title of Assistant Stage Manager and how it may or may not change in the future.

Join the conversation! Register now at https://stagemanagingthearts.ca/

[ID: 1. A blue background with a colourful headset and the text “What is in a name? Should the title Assistant Stage Manager be changed? Friday, April 17 2026, 7:00PM - 9:00PM EDT. Join the SM Committee in a national FREE discussion about the title of Assistant Stage Manager and how it may or may not change in the future. 2. A blue background with a black and white QR code and the title Register Now! followed by “visit stagemanagingthearts.ca”]

Hey student and apprentice SMs!

Have you registered for some basic skills courses? Learn something new or brush up on the foundations at the SMArts Conference. Only $40 each!

Check out our courses using the QR code or the link in bio.

[ID: 1. A blue background with the text “Calling all student & apprentice stage managers! We’ve got your SM basics covered.” A cartoon graphic of an orange hand holding a yellow pen and filling out a blue form. 2. A blue background with the text “With courses like: Scheduling & Planning, Reading Plans & Taping a Floor, How to be a Good Apprentice, Canadian Theatre Agreement, Reading Music, Calling a Show, and more! Only $40 each!” 3. A blue background with a black and white QR code and the title Register Now! April 16-27, 2026, followed by “visit stagemanagingthearts.ca”]

Want to give back to our SM community?

Donate any amount toward a subsidized seat! Money will be collected to help make the conference accessible to those who do not have the financial means.

You can donate upon checkout, or on our website (https://stagemanagingthearts.ca/course/donation/). If you choose the Subsidized option for a course, registration will be confirmed as funds become available.

[ID: 1. A blue background with the text “Do you know about our subsidized seats? You can donate any amount to helping folks in our community take some courses! Donate at checkout or on our website.” Three white stick figures are illustrated at the bottom, standing together with their arms raised. 2. A blue background with a black and white QR code and the title Register Now!, followed by “visit stagemanagingthearts.ca”]

The SMArts 2026 Hybrid Conference is just 20 days away!

Hop on over to stagemanagingthearts.ca and register for single courses, the in-person conference pass, or the virtual conference pass! Have you considered sharing a pass with your SM besties?

Check out our courses using the QR code or the link in bio.

[ID: 1. A blue background with the text, “Countdown begins for the SMarts Conference, 20 Days. Have you registered for your courses? Visit stagemanagingthearts.ca.” 2. A blue background with the text, “Choose your perfect course package. Single courses: $45, register for any individual course! Conference Pass (in-person): $700, includes all 20 courses ($35/course, actual value of $900) (That’s 4-5 free courses!). Conference pass (Virtual): $595, includes all 17 courses ($35/course, actual value of $765) (That’s 3-4 free courses!). Share courses with friends!” 3. A blue background with a black and white QR code and the title Register Now!, followed by “visit stagemanagingthearts.ca”]

We are back!

Registration is now open for the 2026 SMArts Hybrid Conference!

Running from April 16-27, we’ve got courses for student Stage Managers, Apprentices, and experienced SMs! Check out our courses using the QR code or go to https://stagemanagingthearts.ca/conference/toronto/

Got questions? Shoot us a DM!

[ID: 1. A blue background with the text, “We are back! Registration is now open for the 2026 SMArts Hybrid Conference, April 16 - 27, 2026” and a yellow and orange cartoon megaphone with a mouth, with blue gears and 3 electronic devices coming out of its mouth. 2. A blue background with the text, “Pick your courses! Cirque du Soliel: Stage Management & Aerial Show Calling, Scheduling & Planning, Health & Safety, Resumes, How to be a Good Apprentice, Training Apprentices, Assistant Stage Managing, Working with a Digital Prompt Script, Canadian Theatre Agreement (CTA), Effective Communication & Paperwork, Calling a Show, Joining Equity, Touring, Special Events, SMing Opera, LINE! Blocking & Rehearsal Management, Foundations of Stage Combat, Reading Music, Scores: Prepping, Qing, and Calling, Giving Notes, Reading Plans / Taping a Floor. 3. A blue background with a black and white QR code and the title Register Now!, followed by “visit stagemanagingthearts.ca”]