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In late May, I traveled to Montreal for PACTcon 2024.

This marked my inaugural attendance at the conference, affording me the opportunity to engage with a diverse array of professionals, both reconnecting with familiar faces and forging new connections. It was particularly gratifying to represent CITT/ICTS and our organizational mission to those unfamiliar with the organization.

During the conference sessions and through numerous discussions, several recurring themes and challenges emerged within our sector: inadequate funding for the arts, the imperative for greater flexibility to achieve work-life balance (or flow), and notably, the acute shortage of skilled labour nationwide, especially for Technical Directors, Production Managers, and Stage Managers.

I had the privilege of participating in a roundtable session on staffing solutions, alongside Interim CITT/ICTS President, Russell Martin and Theatre Calgary Director of Artistic Operations Alex Currie. While our discussions didn't result in definitive solutions, they did shed light on some initiatives being done by theatres nationwide and highlighted other challenges being experienced across the country. Topics ranged from mentorship programs aimed at cultivating emerging technical talent to the unique challenges faced in rural Canadian communities and the barriers encountered by newcomers to Canada looking to work in the industry. The discussion also underscored the importance of supporting emerging professionals through standardized documentation and best practices.

The session left me buoyed by the industry's collective resolve to collaborate through the exchange of best practices, resources, and through new connections. However, it also underscored the crucial role that CITT/ICTS must play in these discussions and potential solutions.

As we approach Rendezvous 2024, my aim is to sustain this crucial conversation and to ensure that CITT/ICTS, in collaboration with other organizations and partners, takes a leadership role in finding solutions and supporting our community.

I look forward to seeing our members in August and continuing these vital discussions.

Jacquie Lazar, Executive Director, CITT/ICTS

It was a full house for the Staffing Solutions Roundtable led by CITT/ICTS Interim President and Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre Director of Production Russell Martin, CITT/ICTS Executive Director Jacquie Lazar and Theatre Calgary Director of Artistic Operations Alex Currie.

PACTcon 2025 will be held May 21 to 24, 2025 in Halifax, NS

PACT's annual gathering is an opportunity to share vital experiences and build genuine connections with your theatre colleagues from across Canada. The conversations started at the event carry through the rest of the year and often spark creative partnerships, mentorships, and joint projects.

PACTcon is open to theatre leaders and other staff at PACT Member Companies and PACT Colleagues, as well as anyone from beyond the membership who would like to attend. Theatre artists, managers, administrators, and board members are all encouraged to join us. The more voices in the room, the richer our conversations will be.

Learn more: https://www.pact.ca/programming/pactcon