Our Committees
TSA uses a committee system to make sure we are adequately meeting the needs of the student body. Below you can read about some of our committee roles and executive positions, and learn what they do!
TSA President
- Represents TSA in front of the Dean, TSA faculty advisor, administration, faculty, staff, alumni, prospective students, and student body.
- Leads weekly Board meetings, open meetings, and forums.
- Oversees TSA bank account(s) in collaboration with Fundraising Chair Only
- President and Fundraising Chair will have access to TSA bank account(s).
- Facilitates play selection committee representative elections.
- Meets with the dean alongside the Vice President 1-2 times per semester.
- As an outgoing president, facilitates Executive Board elections for upcoming year.
- Eligibility requirements: For the position of President, student must:
- Be a current junior and rising senior, or entering equivalent final year at USC.
- In the event that no rising senior is willing and able to serve as President, a rising junior may be elected, but will be limited to one year-long term only.
- Have served on the TSA Board for at least one year, or two semesters total.
- Be elected by ⅔ Board majority vote.
- Be a current junior and rising senior, or entering equivalent final year at USC.
Vice President
- Aids President in overseeing TSA initiatives, projects, events, and any other work.
- Fulfills duties of the President when President is unavailable.
- Assumes the position of the president in the event that the current President steps down, or otherwise leaves position.
- In the event of emergency vice presidential succession, the Vice President will serve as President only for the remainder of the school year, and then must be re-elected to the position if eligible for the position of President the following year. During this period, they will be referred to as “Interim President.”
- Vice President will NOT automatically succeed current President. The position of President can only be filled by election, and Vice Presidents may only fill the role of President through end-of-year elections, and emergency Vice President succession.
- Assumes the responsibilities of any Board members being removed or resigning from the Board mid-semester, without a co-chair. During this period, they will be referred to as “Interim Chair.”
- Vice President will retain Executive Board position, while additionally serving as Interim Chair.
- Interim Chair position will conclude once a new chair is elected.
- Eligibility requirements: For the position of Vice President, student must:
- Have served on the TSA Board for at least one semester.
- Be elected by ⅔ Board majority vote.
Secretary
- Handles room reservations and scheduling of weekly Board meetings and other Board events.
- Tracks Board attendance at weekly meetings.
- Assembles agendas and minutes for weekly Board meetings.
- Take notes at Board, open, and faculty/administration meetings.
- Maintains official email account and Google Drive.
- Coordinates or Schedules Board applications and interviews.
- Eligibility requirements: For the position of Secretary, student must:
- Have served on the TSA Board for at least one semester.
- Be elected by ⅔ Board majority vote.
Treasurer
- Maintains TSA bank account(s). Only President and Fundraising Chair will have access to TSA bank account(s).
- Facilitates any purchases made by TSA bank account(s) and payments to account(s).
- Reimburses Board members for TSA-related purchases as appropriate.
- Organizes on and off-campus fundraisers benefiting TSA and acts as point of contact for outside organizations for these fundraisers.
- Applies for and represents TSA in requests for USG grants and other funding.
- Communicates transparently with the Board regarding current financial status.
Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, & Accessibility
- Acts as a liaison between the student body and faculty and staff on issues relating to diversity/inclusion.
- Maintains a working relationship with SDA’s Community and Culture Center.
- Acts as a “point person” or representative for the student body to approach with questions or issues relating to diversity and inclusion.
- EDIA Co-Chairs will be involved in ensuring there is EDIA presence on the ISP grant committee and play selection committee on the basis of diversity/inclusion.
Fundraising And Events
- Leads and plans all TSA events.
- Works to create events for fundraising, informational, and leisurely reasons.
- Proposes dates and times for any planned events.
- Handles room/venue bookings for any planned events.
- Independently, or in collaboration with other Board Member(s), leads breakout committees in creating, planning, and executing events and fundraising events.
ISP Committee
- Writes and distributes the ISP Audition Memo each semester.
- Facilitates and oversees the ISP grant application process, in conjunction with staff and faculty.
- If you are involved in any major creative team on an ISP, you will be excluded from the grant committee.
- Attends Stop Gap/Sanctuary Theater/Scene Dock Draft as a representative of TSA.
- Serves as a liaison between ISP companies and the School of Dramatic Arts administration.
- Serves as a mediator between ISP companies if necessary.
- Eligibility requirements: For the position of ISP chair, student must:
- NOT be currently serving on any ISP board, E-board, or associated with a single ISP board.
- NOT directing or producing an ISP production, but free to pursue other creative roles communicated to the board (Lighting, sound, stage management, acting, music direction, etc.)
- Approved by the TSA board.
- Be elected by ⅔ Board majority vote.
Mentorship And Outreach
- Facilitates freshman and spring admit mentorship programs.
- Organizes social events related to mentorship programs and keeps the program active year long.
- Acts as a “point person” or representative for the student body to approach with questions or issues relating to the freshman or transfer experience, mentorship programs, and the SDA community.
- When possible, attends SDA-run freshman or transfer orientation/welcome programs and events.
- Works to foster and maintain relationships between SDA alumni pool and current SDA students.
- Collaborates with and acts as a student representative to the SDA Director of Alumni Relations.
Social Media And Marketing
- Maintains all TSA social media platforms and websites.
- Works with other Board members to create informative and promotional graphics.
- Oversees all visual materials representing TSA (bulletin boards, apparel, fliers).
- Only the Social Media/Marketing Chair(s) and current President will have login access to official TSA social media.
- A Website specialist within the Social Media/ Marketing Committee may be assigned to work directly on TSA’s website, updating, creating and installing it.
Comedy Committee
- Acts as a liaison between the comedy community and the SDA faculty and staff on issues relating to comedy.
- Is in contact with both Comedy ISPs and Comedy Majors and Minors to address issues related to the SDA comedy community.
- Heads the Comedy Collective: a central place for the Comedy Community to voice concerns.
