Phase One of The New Dezart Playhouse to Open November 2025 at Dezart Performs

Dezart Performs has chosen Architect Susan Secoy Jensen with Landscape Architect JC Miller and TheatreDNA consultant, Michael Ferguson to convert the First Church of Christ, Scientist at 605 Riverside Drive into the NEW Dezart Playhouse. "I’m absolutely thrilled to open the doors to our new playhouse this fall. This is just the beginning of an incredible journey, and I’m deeply grateful to our community for their unwavering support in making this dream a reality." …Michael Shaw, Founding Artistic Director.

Season 18 will open with Phase ONE of the NEW Dezart Playhouse in November 2025 with a fully-functioning state-of-the-art theater designed by Susan Secoy Jensen and Michael Ferguson, with 131 seats, a multi-purpose rehearsal hall/green room/event room, event prep room and individual cast dressing rooms. As customary at Dezart Performs productions, beverages and snacks will also be available. Phase TWO in Season 19, will include a full remodel by Susan Secoy Jensen including new theater seating, indoor and outdoor bars, box office and fully upgraded restrooms in addition to a full Season of plays, musical events and productions from a wide net of theater family and friends. JC Miller will be using native desert flora and fauna, utilizing original landscape designs, to provide a pleasing exterior enhancing the visual appeal of the historical property.

In an effort to retain the mid-century modern aesthetic and applying for Class 1 Historical Landmark status of the 1957 Robson Chambers and Albert Frey designed building, the Dezart Playhouse Planning Committee is working with the City of Palm Springs Offices of Economic Development and Planning & Historic

Preservation to retain the mid-century modern aesthetic and design focusing on adaptive re-use with the ability to meet the needs of a state-of-the art theatrical experience. Additionally, since Dezart Performs announced the purchase of the First Church of Christ, Scientist in December 2024, there has been an outpouring of support for the church, in continuous operation since 1957, from the community, the City of Palm Springs and the historical preservation community including the ModCom Board and Staff, Palm Springs Preservation Foundation, Palm Springs Architectural Alliance and Modernism Week. 

 'Have a Seat Campaign'

The 'Have a Seat Campaign' will ensure everyone has an opportunity to be part of Palm Springs history with the purchase of a custom designed theater chair to share in the legacy of Robson Chambers, Albert Frey and the mid century modern architectural movement. To complement the Dezart Performs Capital Campaign, Platinum seats are available for $2,500, Premium seats for $1,000 and Preferred seats at $500. The ‘Have A Seat Campaign' includes an engraved plaque with your name or a loved ones and invitation to the launch of Dezart Performs Season 18. For more information contact: Gailya Brown at gailya.brown@dezartperforms.org.

Architect Susan Secoy Jensen

Architect Susan Secoy Jensen with her firm Secoy Architects, specializes in the design of both residential and commercial  mid-century modern structures and adaptive re-use projects, staying true to the integrity of the property’s original design. Her design philosophy encompasses modernism with historic content advocating for the preservation of significant architectural works. Currently on the Board of Advisors for Palm Springs Preservation Foundation, recent Palm Springs projects include Kaptur Plaza working closely with designer Hugh M. Kaptur to develop the adaptive re-use project winning a 2019 Preservation Design Award for Restoration. Secoy Architects, Inc. was also selected by the American Legion Post 519, to develop a preservation plan for the legion’s building by architects John Porter Clark and Albert Frey. 

Landscape Architect JC Miller

As a recognized expert on postwar mid-century California gardens, Landscape Architect JC Miller writes and speaks frequently on 20th Century landscapes as a historic preservationist preserving originals and creating authentic new gardens. Work includes schools, parks, civic spaces, commercial developments and religious environments with Palm Springs projects including Kaufmann Desert House, Ocotillo Lodge and Koerner Garden. 

TheatreDNA Michael Ferguson

Co-founder of TheatreDNA, a performance and creative venue design and planning firm, Michael Ferguson is a lighting and creative designer for ‘architainment’ theater and concert lighting with decades of experience with hundreds of theatres around the world. Projects include LA’s Natural History Museum, San Luis Obispo Rep and Theatre for a New Audience in New York.  

Dezart Performs, Palm Springs’ only Equity theatre and one of Coachella Valley’s preeminent theatre companies, recognizes that the performing arts enrich the life and culture of a community, promote greater understanding, and provoke insightful discussion. As a 501(c)(3) non-profit theatre company, its mission is to provide an artistic home for bold and cutting–edge plays, creating an atmosphere of artistic growth for actors, writers and directors who uniquely contribute to the diverse theatrical environment in the Coachella Valley. 

For additional information about Dezart Performs’ 2025/26 season, visit dezartperforms.org.