CVRep brings innovative works and education programs to the valley
The curtain is up! The Coachella Valley Repertory (CVRep) has undergone some exciting and dramatic (pardon the pun) changes over that past few years. It moved into an impressive new facility in Cathedral City and has added a new executive artistic director, Adam Karsten. Add to that the challenge of going through a pandemic and having to pause productions and events already in the planning stage and you realize it's been a whirlwind of activity for the award-winning nonprofit.
But as the old adage states: The show must go on. And CVRep now has an even stronger and more passionate commitment to our community.
The official 2022-23 season debuted this month with an excellent production of “The Humans.” Karsten says his plan is to continue the theater’s award-winning and beloved legacy created by founder Ron Celona.
“This is a very exciting time for CVRep,” Karsten says. “We have great plans and are very proud and happy to be building on Ron’s great vision. This community loves live theater, and this wonderful venue and team are ready to deliver.”
They have a full slate of five Tony-award nominated and winning productions scheduled through April 2023, a diverse lineup with a little something for everyone. Karsten is thrilled to bring this level of entertainment to our valley. His theatrical experience in New York City gives him an extra advantage.
“I moved my wife and children here from New York without hesitation,” he says. “It was obviously a huge move and a very important life choice, but I knew the potential was limitless. What we are going to create is going to put CVRep on the map. We are going to create an operation that gets national attention.”
His aspirations and goals are impressive, and part of his plan is to continue with the great classes and programs that were already in place.
“The mission was already strong,” he says. “Coachella Valley Repertory is an educational, dramatic and musical theater organization that offered thought-provoking, innovative theater of substance and a voice to a wide range of artists and visions.”
He wanted to build on that great foundation.
“We were already on the forefront of so many great opportunities for the valley. We are merely expanding on those excellent programs and will add new ones as well,” he says. “I'm so excited to support and inspire our local youth, too. We want to build an excellent conservatory creating great outreach. We will nurture and encourage young talent here.”
The dream is to become nationally recognized as a premier theater organization where reimagined, new and innovative works and education programs are cultivated by fostering a residence where students, professionals, artists and theater lovers will all come together.
It's for this commitment to the arts in our valley that we award CVRep our Jordan Schnitzer Family Foundation Power of Community $1,000 grant to help the organization continue its vision.
“I am new to this community, but my family and I already love it here," Karsten says. "We have been welcomed with open arms. I am excited to build a powerful theatrical and artistic presence in this beautiful venue with this wonderful nonprofit. The community support has been amazing.
“Stay tuned for the spotlight to shine very brightly on CVRep and all that we are doing here!”
Yes, the stage is set. The curtain is up. And this show is definitely going on. Let's grab our seats!
And on a personal note: As we give thanks this week of Thanksgiving, I'd like to share my gratitude for the Jordan Schnitzer Family Foundation and all they are doing for our community with their generous grants. Thank you to all the nonprofits and people who power them that we have spotlighted, and thank you to The Desert Sun for allowing us a space to share these stories of volunteerism that help make our valley a place like no other.
Here's to a wonderful holiday season and another great giving year of the Power of Community in 2023.
Sandie Newton is an award-winning broadcast journalist who began her career in Los Angeles as cohost of the nationally syndicated show "PM Magazine." She went on to host many local and national shows like "Hollywood Insider" before becoming one of the original anchors for E! and a regular on Hallmark Channel's "Home & Family." In 2017, she moved to the desert full time, creating and hosting NBCares for more than six years, profiling over 300 valley nonprofits. She is currently the host of "Desert Chat," a new half-hour lifestyle show spotlighting all the good people, events and news in the Coachella Valley Sundays at 6:30 p.m. on KESQ and 10:30 p.m. on FOX 11.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: CVRep brings innovative works and education programs to the valley
