COACHELLA VALLEY REPERTORY
February, 2010

Dear Theatre Lover,

First, some things are worth waiting for and it is our hope that no news is good news…we have presented a proposal to a local company as a potential partnership on our next Children’s Outreach Production. As of February 5th, we have not received their response but are waiting with great anticipation and hope. I look forward to announcing the details of that production that must stay in the wings for the moment.

We are SOLD OUT for our first LUMINARY LUNCHEON on February 24th at the BLU Ember. What a wonderful way to begin building our new social/booster group, the CV REP Luminaries.

On Wednesday, January 27th, the Rancho Mirage Chamber of Commerce held their annual “Rammy Awards of Excellence” Dinner. CV REP was in attendance having been nominated as an “Exemplary Non-Profit Group”. The wonderful “Guide Dogs of the Desert took home the award that night but it was an honor and privilege to be among the nominated organizations, especially since we are only in our second season.

We look forward to your support and participation throughout the coming year.

Sincerely,
Ron Celona
Artistic Director

In The News

Carol Lawrence, Stage & TV star to be the second Guest Artist at our
LUMINARY LUNCHON at the BLU Ember on Wednesday, March 24th!
Sponsored by the
Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa

Carol Lawrence originated the role of Maria in WEST SIDE STORY and went on to star in such Broadway shows as SUBWAYS ARE FOR SLEEPING, SARATOGA, I DO, I DO and KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN, just to name a few. She also was a regular on ABC’s “General Hospital” and on “Touched by an Angel”, “The Commish”, “Sex in the City” and many others.

The second CV REP LUMINARY LUNCHEON is set for March 24th at noon at the BLU Ember Restaurant. CV REP has formed a new monthly social group called the “LUMINARIES”. This group will help light the way to CV REP’s future. With the support of our sponsor, the Rancho Las Palmas Resort and Spa, the monthly events are held at the BLU Ember Restaurant. Each luncheon includes a Luminary of the Theatre who will share their life experience working as an actor.

A portion of the fee will pay for your meal, refreshments, entertainment and the remainder will go to CV REP. The fee is only $25.00! A bargain for this fine restaurant!
Tickets will be sold in advance since the room holds only 50 people. To assure your place at the table, please call the Luminary’s Social Secretary, Audrey Provan at (760) 341-7442

This will be a fun way for people to meet, have fun, be enlightened and support CV REP.  

College of the Desert ( C.O.D.)
 New Playwright’s Festival

On January 23rd, CV REP’s Artistic Director, Ron Celona facilitated a Director’s Panel at the College of the Desert and it was a grand success. We had four prominent Directors from the LA area discuss the relationship between the Director and the Playwright when creating a new play for the stage. There were acting and writing students in attendance as well as the public at large. It is CV REP’s goal to lend its support where ever possible throughout the Coachella Valley’s educational institutions. 

FUNDRAISING THERMOMITER

The Board of Trustees is pleased to announce a plan of attack for building the budget needed to present a main stage production. Based on the funding that we raise within the next six months, we will be able to determine the type of project possible to produce. i.e.: a musical, a play and how many roles would be possible.
To date, CV REP has partnered with other organizations, businesses and individuals to produce the first two productions which are educationally based.
With your help, we will be able to reach the additional goal of producing Main Stage Productions that would have an extended run in a high profile venue. As always, it is CV REP’s goal to bring the type of productions seen throughout other southern California cities, like the South Coast REP, San Diego Old Globe, La Jolla Playhouse, etc. We know this is possible here in the desert with you support!
Please visit our website and be a part of history by making your tax deductable donation today!

Wish List
As you could see our Wish List has not changed since we are still in need of the following support.
There are numerous ways, large and small that you could help support our growth. If we don’t ask, we don’t receive!

• We are still looking for a donated public space to operate our business out of. At present we have been doing business from a home based office. If we had a public space we could start to staff it with volunteers who are waiting in the wings.

• Grant Writer, although the Board are hard at work writing grants, they could use the support of other volunteers that have this skill under their belt.

• Committee Members, each Board member is steering a committee on different development opportunities. If you would be interested in serving on one of these committees, please contact Board President, Gary Hall at Gary.D.Hall@wellsfargo.com for more information.

Board Member Profile

Scott Sherman, Ph.D. is a clinical psychologist in private practice with over 30 years of experience. While an undergraduate at the University of Illinois he worked behind the scenes at the newly opened Krannert Center for the Performing Arts.  He learned then that since he couldn’t carry a tune, (ask any of his friends) act or dance, that his love of theatre would have to be from the audience side.

Many performers have often commented on what a good audience he is. As a psychologist he understands the importance of expression in many forms as well as the way in which creativity can feed and heal the soul. He is quite happy to have the opportunity to help make theatre by being on the Board of CV REP, whose mission changing lives one show at a time is so in line with his professional work.