SMA supports Job Shares and family and carer friendly scheduling in theatre and live events

SMA and SMA board are fully committed to introducing job shares for our members whenever possible and we actively support PIPA and their family friendly arts policies Recently the SMA Board discussed job sharing, and we will be looking at making this a new option on the Blueform for Freelist from September At present you …

Safe use of Pyros

An Aid to pyro risk assessment Geoffrey Joyce explains how to keep safe around Pyros this XmasFrom the beginning of time theatrical events have been calling for bigger and better effects in the form of flashes and bangs. Not so long ago a technician might sprinkle black ‘flash’ power on to a fine fuse wire …

SMA raises concerns about multi-tasking and multiskilling in backstage work

Multi-tasking is a subject we write about elsewhere in SMAgenda, but there has also been a lot of discussion about the configuration of SM teams recently – the difficult position of ‘CSM on the book’ is often criticised as having an almost impossible job description (after all the CSM role should be described as Company and Stage …

#WeMakeEvents briefing:
Post-Brexit EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement impact on touring productions.
A summary

One of our members Di Fraser attended a Brexit seminar at PLASA /ABTT Show and here is her brief report: Plasa/ABTT  Trade Fair at Olympia Monday 6th September The opening point made was what we are all already aware of: before Brexit international touring onto the continent was pretty simple. Now it is not! New systems …

SMA Memorandum & Articles and Rules and Regulations

These documents are the founding Articles and Rules by which we run our Association. Every time a major amendment of the Mem& Arts and Rules & Regs are made SMA distributes these documents to all members,  The newest documents are here Memorandum and Articles 2019 Rules and Regulations 2021

SMA Zoom Brunches

Our Zoom Brunches 2021: The 2020 series were very popular and successful with 500+ people registered to attend in total from at least 9 countries around the world, and with many associations and producing companies participating, as well as invited experts and, of course, members.The information and support they have provided has been valued by …

Prompt Desk Survey and campaign- the work continues

The work on Prompt Desks which was done pre-Covid-19 is proving vitally important again now, as members are returning to work and experiencing again the aches and pains in shoulder, wrist and arms and neck, associated with poor seating and positioning of controls and prompt desks themselves. It was not appropriate or relevant to continue …