I’d like to pause in our regular programming and take a minute today to talk with you about one of my favorite annual events that is happening this weekend.

The Broadway Stage Management Symposium.

This event is an incredible opportunity for stage managers at all stages in their careers.

To this day, I am still flabbergasted that the awesome organizer of the event found my silly little blog and has invited me to be a little piece of this event since 2017.

The symposium does center on Broadway stage management, but several of the seminars focus on general stage management skills and techniques.

Some of those seminars this year include:

• Authenticity in Stage Management
• Tech Talk: What is Good Communication? The Technology & The Techniques
• Health & Wellness for Stage Management
• The Power of Stage Managers

And, of course, several really interesting chats with the teams of some Broadway shows. You can check out the session schedule here.

The symposium is also more than just lectures. I think one of the most important aspects in the networking. The attendees are really varied – some are students, just starting out, but there also tons of professionals from different areas, as well as Broadway alums.

In person, there are breaks to sit and chat with the other attendees. Online there are spaces you can pop into to meet people. Several years have included a sort of speed dating space online, which I always thought was pretty cool – it would randomly partner you with another stage manager for a quick chat.

The evening of the first night includes a trip to a Broadway show with a post show Q&A for those in person or an online watch party if you’re joining digitally.

There’s also a really cool expo space where a bunch of the symposium partners have booths – which is where you can usually find me. In the early days of the symposium, I had a little table where I would sit and teach people how to set up a budget or how to calculate their net worth. Then the pandemic hit and we moved online.

To be honest, my first two online symposiums were a hot mess of technical glitches and errors. Then I stopped trying so hard and just made a very simple little booth, directing people to my website.

Last year, I invited some financial industry specialists to chat and answer questions during the breaks between seminars.

This year, I’m refocusing a little bit (and struggling through my second bought of covid), so we’re going simple and trying to think big for next year.

But as you can see, there is lots to do and if stage management is your thing, it’s kind of the place to be this weekend.

You can still get tickets. The Symposium is $267 in person of $197 online.

If you’re attending virtually, stop by my booth! If I’m recovered enough, I’ll be there.