Fall 2019 Newsletter

Board Updates & Announcements

New OAP Rules for 2020:

1.      Best Actor and Best Actress will now be awarded to the 2 Best Performers, regardless of gender. The new ballot can be downloaded from the website here: https://www.ttao.org/service-3/

2.      Each school can now have a company of 20 that can be divided however they wish. However, in order to be considered for an acting award the cast member must be listed as an actor /actress in the program.

Annual Renewal and Lapse Changes

May 1st through June 1st is the window for renewal to be considered for Area, Region, and State assignments. 

If an adjudicator misses the renewal window  they may still pay dues, and meet renewal requirements until April 30th of the following year.   If they have not renewed by April 30th they will be removed from the judging list and will have to reapply and recertify.  

If a judge 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.

Important: If you renewed this summer (since May 1, 2019)  you are good. Do not pay again. If you have not yet renewed for 2020, you have until April 30th or your profile will be removed. In order to renew, you will have to re-apply and go through the on-site certification process.

You can see if you’ve renewed by checking your account an under Membership see the date 2020 (or lifetime member) or if your name currently appears in the adjudicator or contest manager directory.

Payment Issues Process

There is a new process in place for adjudicators who are not paid within 30 days of a contest. Please be sure to read over the steps outlined from our summer board meeting.

The payment issue process can be found on the TTAO website under “Issues and Grievances” https://www.ttao.org/issues-and-grievances/ as well as in the update Manual of Operations.

Updated Manual of Operations: https://www.ttao.org/ttao-business/

2019 Elections

2019 Elections will be held online from Dec 1 – 14. Nominees & their profiles can be found on the TTAO website: https://www.ttao.org/ttao-business/elections/

TTAO members will receive an email on Dec 1st with an online ballot. Please be sure to submit your ballot by 11:59 pm CST on Dec 14th. Ballots submitted after this date will not be considered.

If you do not receive your ballot be sure to check your spam folder for the email. And if have questions, please contact support@ttao.org.

TTAO Connect Updates & Reminders

Adjudicators you do not need to block out your calendar for contest dates. Once a contract is in place, the system will automatically block that day for you (although it doesn’t visibly show it’s blocked on your calendar).

Contest Managers new training modules have been added to your account. We highly encourage you to complete the modules BEFORE the next adjudicator contracting date in November as your Connect account will be limited until training is complete.

  • Non-TTAO CMs will need to complete all modules each year.
  • TTAO CMs will need to complete all modules for this year, but for each subsequent year will only need to complete the new rules module.
  •  The only exception to this is if you complete an on-site training, in which that will replace the need to complete the online training. 

Certification Opportunities

Adjudicator

Nov 8 – 9, 2019 at Plano East Senior High School

*Applications are now open: http://bit.ly/PlanoAdCert

May 1, 2020 at the State Meet in Austin – More Info is TBA

See the website for more details: https://www.ttao.org/adjudicator-certification/

Contest Manager

Dec 6-7, 2019 at Rouse High School in Leander

Mar 20-21, 2020 at Atascocita High School in Humble

*See the website for more details: https://www.ttao.org/contest-management-certification/

TTAO Core Values

Education

Our priority is theatre education for students and their teachers. Our policies serve to improve theatre training within the UIL contest framework.

Diversity

We celebrate differences and include all the varied voices that represent students and the communities we serve.

Integrity

We hold ourselves to the highest ethical standards. We expect and practice personal and professional integrity.

Transparency

We commit to open communication and access to information, including governing documents. This instils trust and insures accountability.

Service

We serve our learning community by bringing our knowledge, experience, and leadership to students and teachers through professional training that instils confidence and provides growth.

Upcoming Important Dates

Nov 2nd – First day to contract District & Zone panel adjudicators
Dec 1st – 14th – Online Election Voting

Join TTAO on Facebook

Did you know that TTAO is on Facebook? Join us in one of our groups to be part of the OAP community year around!

If you are an adjudicator, join us here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/681476041915336/

If you are a contest manager, join us here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/305846376219841/