Our Mission: CELEBRATE, EDUCATE & Advocate
There are Stage Managers in theatre, opera, dance, TV, events… you name it, we’re everywhere. This community stands to ensure that stage managers, though we may be hiding in the shadows, are never undervalued for their critical work.
Why the Color ORANGE?
This campaign is about visibility. A lot of Stage Managers spend their time wearing all black in order to vanish in the dim light of backstage. Not in 2020! It’s time to be SEEN!
How Can You Participate?
Reach out for the logo package — we’ll email it to you! it’s important that we maintain a sense of unity, so the world knows we’re in this together.
Each individual and organization is invited to mark the year in their own way! Start a local chapter, throw an event, contribute to spreading the word, create an award for Stage Managers, host them in a talkback, feature them on your social media…
It All Started in July of 2019…
Lindsay Jones, a Sound Designer who was pivotal in reinstating the TONY for Sound Design, saw Amanda Spooner (Theatrical Stage Manager & Educator) going on and on and on about the needs and wants of Stage Managers on social media. Lindsay reached out to Amanda and said, “Hey, most of what you’re talking about seems to stem from a lack of education about what your job actually is — 2020 should be about educating folks and celebrating Stage Managers.”
The Covid-19 pandemic meant that the Year of the Stage Manager looked a lot different than anyone thought it would. The work stoppages aligned with a renewed focus and clarity on the imperative to create an American Theater that pushes back against the systemic racism ingrained in our nation and our industry. In response, the Year of the Stage Manager community united to help stage managers and other arts workers find training and resources to survive the pandemic, and education and support towards becoming more anti-racist individuals and organizations.
This is a positive, forward-facing campaign! We are community-driven and depend completely on volunteerism and curiosity on the part of our collaborators. “Year of the Stage Manager 2020” is an umbrella term, meant to inspire a critical mass. The endeavor does not assume the responsibility of individuals and/or organizations acting in the name of the movement.
Get passionate, stay kind. xx
Stage managers gathered in Times Square in honor of the 100th anniversary of Stage Managers being part of Actors’ Equity Association.
Stage manager Liv Scott, decked out in orange YSM merch.