The Board of Directors of Foundation for Stage Managers (FSM) had a busy September:

• The final deadline for small grant applications for career stage managers is September 30th. So, there are still a few days to apply. Grants will be awarded on November 15, 2025. The next grants cycle will be in Spring 2026.
   
• FSM needs to raise $$$ in order to award those grants, and the latest fundraising campaign, SHARING THE SPOTLIGHT, is ongoing through October 8th. All actors and stage managers are encouraged to further the Foundation’s mission by adding their donations to those of Bryan Cranston, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Danny Burstein, Richard Thomas, and Randy Adams (Junkyard Productions). Don’t delay: Find out how to make a tax-deductible contribution to FSM’s SHARING THE SPOTLIGHT campaign by visiting here.

Invest in Stage Managers. Invest in Art. A little, a lot.

• And finally, some organizational news:

At its July Board meeting, The Foundation for Stage Managers elected Samantha Caughron of Las Vegas, NV, and Franklin Swann of New York, NY, to the Board.

Samantha Caughron grew up outside Chicago and in Las Vegas. While in Vegas she landed a job with Spiegelworld for their first Broadway-adjacent show. That show led to a brief contract with Cirque du Soleil in Australia and then quickly back to Spiegelworld for their first Australian tour. 

For Samantha’s complete bio, click here.

 

Franklin Swann is a production manager, strategist, and former stage manager whose career spans Broadway, national tours, live events, and corporate roles. 

For Franklin’s complete bio, click here.

 

The Foundation for Stage Managers (FSM), a New York State-based 501(c)(3) charitable organization, welcomes Caughron and Swann to join 

Board members Patreshettarlini “Pat” Adams, John Atherlay, Robert Bennett, Rich Costabile, J. Jason Daunter, Bill Hare, Nikki Hyde, Elynmarie Kazle, James Latus, Lori Lundquist, Judy Martel, and Robert Sutherland-Cohen;

Advisory Board members Joseph R. Drummond, Andrew Feigin, Amy Pell, Arturo Porazzi, and Patricia Sutherland-Cohen; plus 

Emeritus board member Matt DiCarlo. 

The Foundation for Stage Managers exists to invest in the backbone of live performance — gig-to-gig professionals who too often lack access to training and resources. Through grants, education funds, and fellowships, we invest in the ability of stage managers to learn, connect, and thrive. Invest with us in the future of stage management—and in the art of live performance itself.

 

For further information, contact:  

Elynmarie Kazle, President 

Foundation for Stage Managers 

PO Box 2225, Times Square Station 

New York, NY 10108-2225 

(330) 618-1501 

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