Professional Development

Performing Arts Safety for Supervisors

#140 - 4259 Canada Way, Burnaby, V5G 1H1
Monday, November 9, 2026, 9am – 3pm

Join ActSafe for a morning in-person Performing Arts Safety for Supervisors workshop from 9am - 1pm, followed by an Industry Hangout from 1pm - 3pm!

Performing Arts Safety for Supervisors provides folks preparedness and confidence in performing arts and live event environments. It gives people a practical foundation in safety, so they’re better equipped to recognize hazards, understand their responsibilities, ask the right questions, and contribute to a strong safety culture whether they’re working on stage, backstage, in a venue, or at an event.

The value is in the knowledge it gives someone when they arrive at a workplace, whether they’ve been in the industry 1 day or 20 years. PASS: Know the risks. Know your role. Show up ready. Build the safety knowledge and confidence you need to recognize hazards, understand your responsibilities, and work safely and professionally in performing arts and live event environments.

The certificate is an added benefit, but the real value is being better prepared to work safely, confidently, and professionally in the industry.
‍
Student requirements‍
-Previous supervisory skills an asset.
-Work in the B.C. arts and entertainment industry.
Registration link. | More information can be found here.

Refreshments- Breakfast items and coffee/tea will be provided. There are water coolers available in the classrooms to fill and refill your personal water bottles, as well as a mini fridge if you’d like to bring your own food.

Organization: ActSafe and GVPTA
Event Type: Workshop or Class
Is there a fee to participate?: Free
Event Website: www.actsafestar.ca…
Learning - Type: Networking + Gathering, Technical Development
More info: www.actsafestar.ca…

Toward Parenthood

Thursday, November 12, 2026, 11am – 1pm

Overview
Whether you’re thinking about starting a family, navigating life as a new parent, or looking for ways to better support parents in the creative workplace, this transition can bring big questions about work, identity, finances, and the future. In an industry built around unpredictable schedules, project-based work, and uncertainty, how do you make room for parenthood without losing sight of your career? Becoming a parent shouldn’t mean having to leave behind the career you’ve worked so hard to build.

Join Cynthia Jimenez-Hicks and Ella Cooper, alongside Susie Burpee from Balancing Act, for a webinar that explores the realities of navigating parenthood in the entertainment industry. Through lived experiences, honest conversation, and practical guidance, our speakers will explore the challenges, possibilities, and individual nature of this life transition, offering tools and perspectives to help participants on the road ahead.

This session will offer an opportunity to connect, learn, and feel less alone.

Who Should Attend
Anyone thinking about parenthood, navigating life as a new parent, or looking for ways to better support their colleagues with children in the creative workplace.

Key Takeaways

Explore the realities of parenthood in the entertainment industry, including the challenges of balancing family life with an unpredictable, project-based career.
Gain practical tools, guidance, and perspectives to help navigate the transition to parenthood while sustaining the career you’ve worked hard for.
Build connections and learn to foster supportive workplaces by better understanding the diverse needs and experiences of parenthood.

Organization: AFC in partnership with Balancing Act Canada
Event Type: Workshop or Class
Accessibility: ASL Interpreter, Captions/Surtitles
Is there a fee to participate?: Free
Event Website: afchelps.ca…
Registration & Access: Register online at https://afchelps.ca/workshop/toward-parenthood/, Accessibility , ASL interpretation, closed captions, and translated captions are available. If you require additional accommodations to make this event accessible for you, please get in touch, and we will do our best to meet your needs., Recording, This event will not be recorded.
Registration or Application Deadline: November 12, 2026
More info: afchelps.ca…

Living Room Series; Parenting in the Arts

Progress Lab Studio 1422 William Street, Vancouver BC
Sunday, November 29, 2026, 4:30 – 7pm

Living Room Series; Parenting in the Arts‍
Navigating parenthood as an artist

Join us for a conversation on parenting in the arts, where a panel of parents in creative fields will share their journeys of balancing family life with their artistic practice. This is a welcoming space to ask questions, connect with others, and build upon your community. Whether you're navigating the challenges of raising children while pursuing a creative career or simply seeking advice, come join us and find inspiration and connection. We will cap off the conversation with a pizza party!

Children are welcome. There will be childcare available on site.

Hosts:
Sarah Roa
Jessica Hood

Panelists:
Baraka Rahmani + Olivia Hutt
Shizuka Kai
Dave Deveau

Organization: Presented by Rumble Theatre in collaboration with Upintheair Theatre and GVPTA
Event Type: Networking
Accessibility: Relaxed Format
Is there a fee to participate?: Free
Event Website: docs.google.com…
Registration & Access: Register online here.
Learning - Type: Mental Health + Wellness, Networking + Gathering
More info: docs.google.com…

Desserts with Designers

Little Pisces Cafe
1778 Columbia Street, Vancouver, BC
Monday, November 30, 2026, 7 – 10pm

Come connect with and hang out with your fellow theatre designers and discuss work, unionization, and more!!!

Not a replacement for our beloved Drinks with Designers, but hoping to reach designers who prefer ice cream over a drink!

Free to join, but please patronize the business :)

Organization: Associated Designers of Canada
Event Type: Networking
Accessibility: Relaxed Format
Is there a fee to participate?: Free
Event Website: www.instagram.com…
Learning - Type: Networking + Gathering

Immuno-Inclusivity in Opera

Thursday, December 10, 2026, 2 – 3:30pm

Join us to explore accessibility, inclusivity, and health & safety in opera and the performing arts! From allergies to air pollution to infectious diseases, immune-related hazards can impact singers' voices, deter potential audience members, cause show cancellations and more. Drawing on the latest research and artist experiences from across Canada, we'll share what's working, what isn't, and practical strategies to create safer operatic spaces for all.
This webinar introduces a new online resource and toolkit to help improve immuno-inclusivity across a range of live event settings. Everyone from performers to producers, from stage managers to venue operators, will find scalable solutions that have already been vetted by subject matter experts and tested in real-world projects and productions. The webinar includes a Q&A period.

Featuring:

Erin Bardua, Essential Opera
Maureen Batt, Essential Opera
Skylar Cameron
Robin Hahn, Opera Mariposa
Stephanie Ko, Opera Mariposa
Emma Yee

Access measures:

Run time approx. 90 minutes with a break
In English, with automatic English captioning and real-time transcript access enabled
ASL interpretation provided
Speakers will provide visual descriptions of themselves
Recording to follow (only speakers' faces will be recorded)
On Zoom - learn more about Zoom's accessibility features at https://www.zoom.com/en/accessibility/
For accessibility questions, contact info@immunoinclusivityinopera.ca

Organization: Opera Mariposa, Essential Opera, and the Immuno-Inclusivity in Opera Collective
Event Type: Workshop or Class
Accessibility: ASL Interpreter
Is there a fee to participate?: Free
Event Website: immunoinclusivityinopera.ca
Registration & Access: Register online at https://immunoinclusivityinopera.ca/news/webinar/
Registration or Application Deadline: Thursday, December 10, 2026
Learning - Type: Mental Health + Wellness, Other
More info: immunoinclusivityinopera.ca