A Message from the TTAO President

February 6, 2025

Our theme of being "better together" is reflected in our organization's rapid growth and achievements. We are living our core values of Equity, Diversity, Integrity, Transparency and Service as a unified force dedicated to enhancing educational theatre in Texas.

Let’s take a moment to reflect on our progress: Our number of adjudicators has risen since last year, and our lapsed members have decreased. We recruit, reclaim, and retain! This UIL OAP season, our goal is to exceed last year's participation numbers. Note to all members: Before allowing your membership to lapse, please communicate your concerns; let us know how we can help.

I’m excited to share that the Continuing Education Committee has been hard at work launching our new professional development initiative. Join us for Fire Side Chats with outstanding adjudicators Dr. Scott Allen and Travis Springfield. A special thank you to Perry Crafton for leading the February 3rd Fireside Chat. Additionally, we will soon be releasing our new YouTube videos. Stay tuned for more information. Many thanks to Yadira Gonzales, Kathy Harvey, and their committee, for their phenomenal work. If you’re interested in joining this committee, we would love to have your input.

Our service initiatives PWP Partnering with Purpose {which provides free professional development for theatre teachers] and SIOS Service Is Our Signature {which provides free UIL OAP Clinics to Title One schools} continue to soar. This year, we aim to conduct 80 SIOS Clinics and together, we can achieve this goal. Thank you, Jill Ludington, for your amazing efforts!

The Core Values Committee is diligently preparing monthly Diversity and Inclusion Best Practices for newsletters and social media. Thank you, Norma Thomas and your committee for your commitment to excellence. By embracing our differences, we are strengthening our theatre community.

As we prepare to say farewell to several members whose terms are ending, we extend our heartfelt gratitude for their service: Craig Hertel, Freddie Buckner, Kelly Parker, Mike Doggett, Jenae Glanton, Scott Schumann, Gary Davis, Henrietta Haynes, and Allan Otto. You exemplify what TTAO aspires to be.

Let us “seize the day” this UIL OAP season.

Respectfully,

Yvonne J. Phillips-Dupree

"Good, better, best. Never let it rest. 'Til your good is better and your better is best."

The TTAO Bylaws state that, “The Board of Directors may set and change the amount of an initiation fee, if any, and the annual dues payable to TTAO by members.” (Article III: Membership Section 2)

At the September 2024 board meeting, the board voted to increase TTAO annual membership from $50 to $75 annually. For cost comparison, that is the fee of one play per the TTAO recommended adjudication fees on the adjudicator contractual agreement. Lifetime membership dues were increased to reflect adjustments in annual membership making them $750 beginning on April 1, 2025, the first day for renewals for the new judging season. Lifetime membership shall only become an option for members with 5+ years of active membership in the organization. Increased membership dues will assist in moving toward more online educational opportunities, training, etc. and help support our efforts in scholarship and real change opportunities.

The following information is taken from the TTAO manual of Operations. Please take a moment to

review our polices for the annual adjudicator renewal, which begins May 1 st of this year.

Section 4. Annual Renewal Process

A. TTAO Adjudicators

1. Annually, adjudicators are required to complete a renewal process that includes payment of dues, updating profile information, and providing contest availability. In addition, adjudicators may be required to acknowledge changes and/or reminders for One-Act Play policies and procedures through an online verification process.

2. The Board of Directors may require completion of an additional certification workshop for individuals adjudicating fewer than five contests in their first five years of certification.

3. May 1 through June 1 is the window for renewal to be considered for area, region, or state assignments each year.

4. If an adjudicator misses the renewal window, they may still pay dues and meet renewal requirements until December 31. If they have not renewed by December 31, they will be removed from the judging list and will have to reapply and re-certify.

5. If an adjudicator would like to remain on the list, but not judge during a contest season, they must still pay dues and meet renewal requirements for that season to stay current. If they are a lifetime member, they must still meet renewal requirements, including accepting renewal statements and marking availability.*

*If an adjudicator chooses not to judge for a contest season, they would mark all dates as “unavailable” in the Availability section of Connect when renewing.

Top Ten Reminders for the Season:

1. Judges and CM’s- Please review the NEW JUDGE’ S EVALUATION FORM. Link is found on the UIL and TTAO websites. There are some changes in wording and plenty of room to write comments.
2. Judges- Review your clinics. Adjudicators shall avoid clinics where you may adjudicate the production at any level of OAP competition.
3. Acting Awards Judge- should remain for the awards ceremony to verify awards are correctly presented.
4. Judges and CM’s- Please review the section on Ensemble awards in Handbook.
5. Contest Managers- Please review the Emergency Judge Replacement Procedures.
6. Contest Managers- Review your procedures on time warnings with your contest staff and directors.
7. Contest Managers- Continue to send a copy of the tabulation report to prodriguez@uiltexas.org
8. Contest managers only- reach out to Paula at UIL if you do not have the contest day emergency contact number.
9. Judges- There is nothing in the judging standards which calls upon you to evaluate the playwright or the full-length play. A school may have additional restrictions from the publisher or playwright. You may see a complete one-act play, a selected scene(s) from, or an excerpt from a full-length play.
10. Have fun, smile and remember this is a one-of-a-kind event and we are making memories that will last a lifetime. Break a leg!

Zooms Links to Register for Fireside Chats with some of our experienced Adjudicators:

Scott Allen, Feb. 10th@8:00 p.m. Dr. R. Scott Allen #2 Feb. 10th

Travis Springfield, Feb. 24th @8:00 p.m. Travis Springfield, #3 Feb. 24th

Please use a browser other than Chrome to register for the Zoom.

40 theatre educators attended TTAO’s new service initiative, TTAO-PWP Partnering with Purpose. TTAO members Cindy Couch, Jack and Diane Cody, Cody Propps, Kathy Harvey, and Jill Ludington provided free professional development for these educators. A great day of learning and rejuvenation was made possible with ESC 9 partnership. Thank you ESC 9!

If you are interested in providing educators service with TTAO-PWP, click the link below and reach out to Jill Ludington.

Contest Manager Training Session #2 - Limit 25

Use this link to register:

https://docs.google.com/.../1FAIpQLScD77A3NmB.../viewform...

Dates/Location:

February 24-25, 2025

Eastwood High School PAC

2430 McRae Blvd.

El Paso, TX 79925

Monday 9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Tuesday 9:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

BEFORE APPLYING:

To be considered, all applicants must do the following:

1. Go to https://www.ttao.org/core-values and read the “TTAO Core Values” and also scroll down to read “TTAO’s Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.”

2. Go to https://youtu.be/jGEIFtZ1THA and watch TTAO’s introductory video on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Training.

DEADLINE TO APPLY: TTAO will accept applications until Friday, February 14, 2025. Applicants are encouraged to apply early during the application period. Applicants will be notified by Monday, February 17 if they have been selected (or before).

NOTE: All participants are encouraged to secure hotel as needed, upon acceptance.

WORKING SCHEDULE: Participants should plan to arrive on site by 8:45* a.m. each day and remain throughout the duration of the training.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIRMENTS: This training is for anyone seeking to become a TTAO Certified Contest Manager.

FEES: There is no fee for the workshop; however, following the workshop, new Contest Managers will be required to pay a TTAO membership fee online to be added to the list of TTAO Certified Contest Managers (unless you are already a member of the organization). New CMs must also complete an online bio to finalize their eligibility. Questions may be directed to Larry Carpenter at larry.carpenter@wacoisd.org.

FAQs

Q: Can I miss part of the workshop and still certify?

A: No. You must attend all parts of the certification workshop to certify. No exceptions.

Q: Who is eligible to certify?

A: Anyone who is or wants to be a Certified TTAO Contest Manager for a UIL One-Act Play contest.

Q: How much does it cost?

A: There is no fee for the workshop; however, following the workshop, new Contest Managers will be required to pay a TTAO membership fee online to be added to the list of Contest Managers (unless you are already a member of the organization).

Q: I can’t attend this workshop—are there other opportunities?

A: Yes, TTAO generally holds 2-3 certification workshops each year. Check TTAO.org and the Facebook pages for more information.

It is the most wonderful time of year! That's right, OAP SEASON!

How: How can you help? Provide a free OAP clinic for 1 school.

Together we made a difference and helped countless students and their directors last year servicing 63 schools. Join us in servicing even more this year!

When: Find a school in need and offer your expertise. Need help? Check out the SIOS Presentation and connect with interested schools.

Learn more about SIOS here: SIOS Presentation

Then: Email Jill Ludington at jnjpurpose@gmail.com to report SIOS completion (your headshot and the name/date of school serviced).

Can I serve anonymously? You can serve anonymously, but please still email Jill so TTAO can track just how big of a difference we are making.

What is SIOS? The SIOS (Service is our Signature) is an initiative which encourages TTAO Members to provide one free OAP clinic per year. Educational service can be any K-12 school program. Special consideration for Title 1 schools or schools with new directors is encouraged. This is not a requirement. This is an opportunity to LIVE our Core Values of Service and Education.

Break a leg this season!