As The Foundation For Stage Managers enters its fifth year we are pleased to announce four new Board Directors: Stacy Blackburn, Sam Caughron, Ira Mont and Franklin Swann. Their leadership will help guide F4SM’s continued work supporting stage managers and the theatres and communities they serve.
We are also pleased to welcome Jason Daunter and Rich Costabile to our Advisory Board and we honor founding member Robert Sutherland Cohen with Emeritus status.
After four years of grant making in support of stage managers and the communities they serve, we look forward to the ideas and perspectives these directors bring as we continue our work.
Through its’ grants, the Foundation (F4SM) supports established (mainly freelance) professional stage managers as well as inspires the next generation of stage managers by funding research, certification in theater-related fields, independent study and attendance at seminars and professional development opportunities. F4SM also awards grants to organizations supporting the stage management community.
STACY BLACKBURN is currently the Production Manager and Assistant of Production and Stage Management at Virginia Tech. Her career spans academic and regional theaters across the United States. She is Chair of the Financial Oversight Committee for The Stage Managers’ Association.
SAM CAUGHRON began her career in Las Vegas. She toured internationally with Spiegelworld and Cirque du Soleil. She is currently based in Las Vegas working technical management, labor coordination and support for major artist residencies.
IRA MONT spent over four decades stage managing on and off Broadway, national tours and regional theaters. He also served as Production Consultant and Production Supervisor. While stage managing he also served the community through teaching and several leadership roles, includingheading the Stage Managers’ Committee at Actors’ Equity Association.
FRANKLIN SWANN is a Production Manager, strategist and former Stage Manager. His career spans Broadway, national tours and large scaled events, including the New Year’s Eve Times Square Ball Drop. Franklin is currently Production Supervisor for several Broadway productions and Director of Strategy and Production for Hudson Scenic.
ROBERT SUTHERLAND COHEN (F4SM Board Emeritus)has enjoyed a career spanning more than 50 years. He has been a stage manager and/or production manager on Broadway, off Broadway, national tours, regional theaters, opera company and major arts festivals. He is a former Chairperson and a member of the Executive Board of The Stage Manager’s Association. Robert received the 2020 Founder’s Award from the SMA. Retired as Associate Professor (Emeritus) from Brooklyn College Department of Theater, he has taught and/or lectured at numerous colleges in the northeast. As well as being instrumental in the formation of the USITT Mentoring Project, Robert is a founder of F4SM. Robert has published numerous books on multiple subjects. He is a professional photographer shown in New York. We honor Robert Sutherland Cohen’s contribution to theater and his dedication to The Foundation For Stage Managers.
Founded to help foster excellence and provide meaningful support for those pursuing careers in stage and event management. F$SM was created to address a need that was not being served as directly elsewhere. With four years of grant making behind us, we are proud to have supported stage managers, their theaters, and the broader community