The Stage Managers’ Association has announced the recipients of its annual Del Hughes Awards for Lifetime Achievement in the Art of Stage Management, honoring those who represent the finest qualities and artistic achievement in stage management throughout their careers.

The 2024 honorees are theatrical production stage managers Lloyd Davis, Jr., Ed De Shae, and Denise Yaney. The SMA will also honor Mary Hunter with The Founders Award for her careers both in stage management and as a leading educator.

This year’s Special Recognition Award will shine the spotlight on David J. McGraw and The Stage Manager Survey. McGraw started the Survey in 2006 to examine stage managers’ practices, education and training, working conditions, and employment. The 2023 edition recorded responses from 1,979 stage managers in 32 countries (available in English, French, Mandarin, and Spanish), making it the largest study of stage managers in the world.

Honorees will be celebrated October 28 during the annual awards ceremony with details to be announced.

Instituted in 1986, the award is named for Del Hughes, who from 1933 to the 1970s had an illustrious career as a Broadway and television stage manager as well as a TV director.

From nominations submitted by industry members, honorees are chosen by the Awards and Recognition Committee, representing stage managers from across the country: Patreshettarlini Adams, Robert Bennett, Katrina Herrmann, Claudia Lynch, Melissa Nathan, Robin Rumpf, Tree O’Halloran, Matthew Stern, Joel Veenstra, and Cheryl Mintz (chair).

The only national professional organization for working stage managers in the country, the mission of the Stage Managers' Association is to recognize, advocate for, and provide continuing education and networking opportunities, creating community for stage managers around the world.

Visit StageManagers.org.