On Monday, October 26, 2026, the Stage Managers’ Association presented its annual Del Hughes Awards for Lifetime Achievement in the Art of Stage Management at the National Opera Center’s Marc A. Scorca Hall in NYC. The distinguished 2026 honorees were theatrical production stage managers Jill Gold, Beverly Jenkins and Ira Mont. In addition to these Lifetime Achievement Awards, the SMA honored Nancy Uffner with The Founders Award. This year’s Special Recognition Awards honored Jon Goldman and W. Wilson Jones.
The host was for the event was Cheryl Mintz, joined by co-host Peter Lawrence. Speakers included Phil Gold, Stephen R. Gruse, David Richards, Heather Chockley, Elynmarie Kazle - President of the Foundation for Stage Managers, and Adrienne Wells - SMA Chair. The Event Chairs were Cheryl Mintz and Matthew Stern. The SMA thanks Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS for their leading sponsorship and Actors’ Equity Association for their sponsorship of the event.
Related: Third Annual Stage Managers Academy At LDI2026 - SMA members should check their newsletter for special discounts to this two-day, in-depth stage management and event caller symposium.