Each year the USC School of Dramatic Arts provides its students and alumni with professional opportunities that help establish and sustain their careers as creators, performers, designers, and cultural innovators. SDA’s goal is that each student graduates with the relevant skills, network, and training to meet the ever-changing demands and expectations of the entertainment field. The School’s dedicated Professional Development Center, the only of its kind in the country, offers a robust range of programming and guidance to complement our SDA curriculum. These include Spotlight@SDA — an event series where the School brings some of the industry’s most influential artists to share their advice, perspective and experience through informal Q&A sessions, workshops, and master classes. Recent visitors have included Jason Bateman, Wayne Brady, America Ferrera, and Tessa Thompson. 

This year Debi Manwiller takes over from Dan Shaner as the Director of the Professional Development Center and will continue to offer ongoing programming such as weekly job blast emails, resume advice, job submissions, and career counseling. The School’s new Drama Center boasts a fully equipped “Audition Studio” for students to hone their skills and tape their auditions. A headshot program for juniors and seniors offers students the chance to work with a professional photographer at no-cost on two headshots a year. Juniors and Seniors are also invited to participate in a more intimate “Salon Series” with industry figures such as casting directors, agents, producers, directors, artistic directors. The Center’s management-style services are available for seniors and recent alumni, as well as SDA’s graduating playwrights, designers, and stage managers so they have a “bridge” into the industry, regardless if they receive representation upon graduation.

To support these curriculum-enhancing professional development activities, the School must raise $250,00 annually. Annual and endowment support will ensure that SDA continues to develop fresh and diverse programming for our students and alumni in what is an ever-evolving industry.