Pace University’s Sands College of Performing Arts will host the 12th annual Broadway Stage Management Symposium (BSMS) on May 30 and 31, 2026, at its Lower Manhattan campus. The event is scheduled to run from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. each day.
The BSMS gathers Broadway professionals, educators, students, and emerging artists for panels and discussions focused on stage management. The conference aims to support professional development and facilitate the sharing of industry knowledge. In addition to in-person sessions, live online participation and on-demand session recordings will be available to expand access for stage managers across the country and internationally.
“Hosting the Broadway Stage Management Symposium reflects the core mission of the Sands College of Performing Arts—to connect rigorous academic training with the highest levels of professional practice,” said Jennifer Holmes, PhD, dean of the Sands College of Performing Arts. “This partnership gives our students meaningful access to Broadway leaders while positioning Pace as a national hub for professional training and artistic collaboration.”
The symposium will also include the BSMS Expo, which highlights theatrical technology and service providers such as Clear-Com, Stage Write, Prospero, and Virtual Callboard. Throughout the conference, Pace stage management students will collaborate with industry professionals to gain practical experience.
“The Broadway Stage Management Symposium has always been about sharing the wisdom of Broadway’s great professionals with the next generation,” said Matthew Stern, founder of the Symposium and head of the stage management department at Sands College of Performing Arts. “Partnering with Pace University allows us to deepen that commitment to education while strengthening the professional community.”
Pace University was established in 1906 and will celebrate its 120th anniversary in 2026. The university offers programs across multiple disciplines at campuses in New York City and Westchester County.
Sands College of Performing Arts is recognized for preparing students for roles in major productions on Broadway as well as film and television.
The Broadway Stage Management Symposium was founded by Matthew Stern, who has worked on productions including Wicked, Finding Neverland, The Little Mermaid, Phantom of the Opera, among others.
