Feature: Desert Theatreworks Plans KidsWorks, a Training Program for Children

Audiences that attend some of Desert Theatreworks' (DTW's) productions this season will get an added treat - a pre-show in the form of a musical revue put on by the participants in DTW's new, tuition-free training program, KidsWorks. The program, which will meet every Saturday, will teach approximately twenty students from ages eight to sixteen how to act, sing, perform comedy, and tap dance. Each fifteen-minute revue will complement the subject matter of the main production.

Lance Phillips-Martinez and his husband, Ron Phillips-Martinez, DTW's artistic and executive directors, respectively, have based KidsWorks on a program operated by Fresno's Good Company Players, an organization whose members Lance considers his mentors. Lance, whose background is in theatre education, will oversee the artistic and educational aspects of KidsWorks. Ron, with his experience in nonprofit finance, will handle management operations.

KidsWorks will hold auditions three times a year seeking student participants for the upcoming trimester. Different artistic directors and musical directors will take part each trimester, giving returning students the opportunity to experience various instructors's methods and teaching styles. The students' time commitment during each twelve-week trimester is substantial - weekly classes to prepare for two revues; performances Fridays through Sundays, including two shows each Saturday; and Thursday performances for some productions. The KidsWorks web site emphasizes that the program seeks individuals with "potential, motivation, maturity, courtesy and commitment," and insists that participants maintain at least a 2.5 grade-point average.

Parents are also expected to volunteer as chaperones, as well as work with their children on a small amount of fundraising, such as through candy sales; Lance says he wants the students to learn that, even though the program does not charge tuition, nothing is really free, and everyone must help support a nonprofit theatre company through what he calls "sweat equity." The Phillips-Martinezes are proceeding with caution regarding each adult who will be involved with any children - all adults (both professionals and parent volunteers) must pass a police background check.

The Phillips-Martinezes estimate that they will need $15,000 a year - $5000 per trimester - to pay the professional staff and fund the performances. The parent and student fundraisers will realistically be able to provide only a small portion of the costs. Because of the benefit to Coachella Valley children, Lance and Ron have decided to seek funding from the entire community, including from corporate sponsors, and not solely from the theatregoing public. A crowd-funding page on the Go Fund Me web site has so far raised more than $1800. (Disclosure: This reporter donated to the project, and wishes to emphasize that no one requested a donation from her).

One thing about which Lance is adamant: The directors will not make casting decisions based on a student's appearance. Even in adult casting, "we've always been kind of color blind," he says. Furthermore, because the Phillips-Martinezes consider DTW to be a teaching organization, Lance said that they always try to give people a chance to shine, whether adults or children. He said that DTW does not always cast the individual whose audition is the "best," and instead sometimes selects an actor who, with proper coaching, appears most likely to excel in the role.

The Phillips-Martinezes hope that, eventually, KidsWorks students will perform for the benefit of the general public, and not just before DTW audiences. They envision the students taking their revues to senior citizen homes and shopping malls - another way that KidsWorks can reach out and give back to Coachella Valley residents. They nonetheless see the chance to perform in the pre-shows as a key part of the KidsWorks experience, because participants will become familiar with appearing before an adult audience.

The main DTW Web site is www.dtworks.org. The KidsWorks site, which contains further information about participation, is www.kidsworks.org. To donate to the program, go to https://www.gofundme.com/dtwkidsworks, or call DTW's box office at 760-980-1455.