WEDNESDAY, JUNE 13, 2018: The 10th anniversary celebration of one of the valley’s preeminent theatre companies continues as Dezart Performs became the latest recipient of a Coachella Valley Spotlight award.
The $25,000 grant presented to the nonprofit from the H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation will purchase new sound and technical equipment that will take the theatre company into its next decade of producing thought-provoking, live performances in the valley.
“Performing arts enrich the life and culture of a community,” said Michael Shaw, Dezart Performs Artistic Director and Co-Founder. “We are grateful that the Berger Foundation and the CBS Local 2 Advisory Board recognize this and selected our organization for this grant, which will make a huge impact immediately.”
“Since the theatre’s inception, we have used the same bulky sound and light boards with limited capacity, which are now starting to fail,”said Clark Dugger, Board President of Dezart Performs. “Recently, we rented and borrowed additional equipment in order to finish out our 10th anniversary season, so we are inspired to start our next decade with brand new gear.”
Between November and April, the theatre company will perform four shows in the Pearl McManus Theater at the Palm Springs Woman’s Club the location the organization has called home since 2011 – plus the group will organize additional fundraising events throughout the season. Dezart Performs casts mostly local talent, and relies greatly on the generosity of about 50 volunteers who assist with every aspect of the productions, from set construction and costume creation to technical crews and ushers. Dezart Performs also has a relationship with the Palm Springs High School theatre program to train about four interns each year in the performing arts.
“Dezart Performs appears to be doing a lot with a little,” said Christopher McGuire, Vice President of Programs for the H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation, who presented the grant to the nonprofit. “The organization relies greatly on volunteers and realizes the value in partnerships, not only to strengthen itself, but also to enrich its community.”
The Coachella Valley Spotlight award also offers recipients media exposure by featuring the organization on CBS Local 2’s “Eye on the Desert,” in public service announcements and on the cbslocal2.com website.
“It’s easy to understand that people have basic needs, such as food and shelter, but history has shown that the arts are just as vital to a thriving society,” said Mike Stutz, General Manager of Gulf California Broadcast Company, which owns and operates CBS Local 2. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 13, 2018: The 10th anniversary celebration of one of the valley’s preeminent theatre companies continues as Dezart Performs became the latest recipient of a Coachella Valley Spotlight award.
The $25,000 grant presented to the nonprofit from the H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation will purchase new sound and technical equipment that will take the theatre company into its next decade of producing thought-provoking, live performances in the valley.
“Performing arts enrich the life and culture of a community,” said Michael Shaw, Dezart Performs Artistic Director and Co-Founder. “We are grateful that the Berger Foundation and the CBS Local 2 Advisory Board recognize this and selected our organization for this grant, which will make a huge impact immediately.”
“Since the theatre’s inception, we have used the same bulky sound and light boards with limited capacity, which are now starting to fail,” said Clark Dugger, Board President of Dezart Performs. “Recently, we rented and borrowed additional equipment in order to finish out our 10th anniversary season, so we are inspired to start our next decade with brand new gear.”
Between November and April, the theatre company will perform four shows in the Pearl McManus Theater at the Palm Springs Woman’s Club the location the organization has called home since 2011 – plus the group will organize additional fundraising events throughout the season. Dezart Performs casts mostly local talent, and relies greatly on the generosity of about 50 volunteers who assist with every aspect of the productions, from set construction and costume creation to technical crews and ushers. Dezart Performs also has a relationship with the Palm Springs High School theatre program to train about four interns each year in the performing arts.
“Dezart Performs appears to be doing a lot with a little,” said Christopher McGuire, Vice President of Programs for the H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation, who presented the grant to the nonprofit. “The organization relies greatly on volunteers and realizes the value in partnerships, not only to strengthen itself, but also to enrich its community.”
The Coachella Valley Spotlight award also offers recipients media exposure by featuring the organization on CBS Local 2’s “Eye on the Desert,” in public service announcements and on the cbslocal2.com website.
“It’s easy to understand that people have basic needs, such as food and shelter, but history has shown that the arts are just as vital to a thriving society,” said Mike Stutz, General Manager of Gulf California Broadcast Company, which owns and operates CBS Local 2.