Barbara Eifler will be stepping down as Executive Director of the Stage Management Association1 after 13 years, it was announced at the First Ever Stage Management Conference which took place at the Arts Theatre in the West End on Sunday 12th February.

Sharon Calcutt, currently Training and Events Manager for the organisation, will become Acting Executive Director with immediate effect. A permanent incumbent for the post will be sought in the next three months. Following a ten-year career as a stage manager, and after training at ALRA, Calcutt has been teaching and production supervising at a number of drama schools including Mountview, ALRA and RADA, as well as writing a number of articles for the Backstage section of The Stage. In recent months, she has been working with the SMA preparing the First Ever Stage Management Conference.

I have really enjoyed my time at the Stage Management Association, commented Eifler who is moving on to become Head of Membership for Making Music. I'm very proud of everything the team has achieved over the last decade and I'm confident I am leaving a healthy and robust organisation which will continue to grow and move forward under new leadership. It is essential that the Executive Director has direct experience of stage management, as well as inspiring leadership and solid management skills. I am happy to say that in my and the SMA Board's view Sharon Calcutt is that person.