THE SUMMER SERIES IS BACK AT THE IPAC!!!

Just 2 to Tango Productions is proud to announce THE RAGAMUFFIN PROJECT SUMMER THEATRE SERIES for children and teens ages 8 to 18. The series will take place at the Indio Performing Arts Center and will be held as part of two completely different sets of workshops. Classes will be held each day from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. and will be taught by professional actors, directors, writers, and instructors. The workshops break down as follows:

SERIES 1 - THE SHOW
DATES: Monday, July 11th – Friday, July 22nd (TWO-WEEK WORKSHOP)
SHOWCASE PERFORMANCE: Saturday, July 23rd
TIME: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
PRICING: $275.OO / Two Weeks (Partial Scholarships and Discounts are Available)

Classes will be taught in Character Development and Performance Techniques utilizing games and exercises based on the teachings of Stella Adler and Viola Spolin. Classes will also be taught in various aspects of design production including costumes, props, sound, and lighting. Students will receive instruction in script writing and character creation. At the end of the two-week workshop, each student will be given the unique opportunity to perform as part of a production featuring scenes and characters they have written and created. Lunch is provided by THE RAGAMUFFIN PROJECT. *SPACE IS LIMITED!

SERIES 2 - THE PROFESSIONAL AUDITION SUBMISSION
DATES: Monday, August 8th – Friday, August 12th (ONE WEEK WORKSHOP)
TIME: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
PRICING: $200.OO
SERIES 1 TWO-WEEK CAMPER DISCOUNT: $175.00

Classes will be taught in Professional Audition Techniques and Training based upon the student’s interests (including Acting, Singing, and Dancing), Monologue Preparation & Performance. At the end of the one-week workshop students will receive a professional submission DVD ready to submit for auditions, and a CD of professional headshots. All
classes and training will be taught by professional actors, directors, writers, and instructors. Students must bring a monologue, song, dance, or a combination of all three to the camp in order to prepare the audition DVD. *SPACE IS LIMITED!

In order to register and for more information, call 760-799-2576 or send an e-mail to the following address: just2totangokids@hotmail.com. The Indio Performing Arts Center is located at 45-175 Fargo Street in Indio. More information can also be found on-line at the ragamuffinproject.blogspot.com and indioperformingartscenter.org. Please make sure and mention THE RAGAMUFFIN PROJECT when registering.

2010 SUMMER ACTING CAMP AT IPAC

The dates and times of the camp are as follows:

Dates: Monday, August 16th - Friday, August 20th.
Ages: 8 - 18
Time: 10am - 2:30pm (There will be a half-hour break for lunch)
Tuition for the camp is $150 per student. Multi-student family scholarships are available. * (read below)

Classes will be taught by professional instructors from across the Coachella Valley in the following areas:

- Acting (Improvisation, Character Development, Acting Styles & Genres)
- Auditioning (Cold Reading Techniques & Monologue Preparation)
- Acting for the Camera (Acting Skills and Techniques Used in Television and Film)
*Students will perform/audition in front of a camera and be given a DVD of their performance.
- Script Writing (Students will develop and write their own scripts for performance)
- Stage Combat (Students will be taught how to choreograph their own fight scenes)
- Dance (Movement and Dance Variations)
- Vocal Performance (Students will learn how to not just sing a song, but performing a song as well)

The classes will be broken up into different groups depending upon age and experience.


*PAYMENT
Space is extremely limited. In order to reserve their spot on the roster, we must receive a non-refundable deposit of $100 as soon as possible. The remainder of the balance ($50) can be paid on the first day of camp. We will be taking students on a first come-first serve basis.

Payment can be made with a check or money order made payable to: Tres Dean

On checks, please write RAGAMUFFIN SUMMER on the MEMO line.

Payment must be mailed to the following address:

ATTN: Tres Dean
43-875 Liberty Street
Indio, CA 92201

Once your payment has been received, you will be e-mailed a receipt and confirmation number for your records.

Please write or call us with any possible questions you might have concerning the camp at 760-799-2576.

"WE GOT THE BEAT" BRINGS RAVE REVIEWS!

Story by Elayna Freiberg
Photos by Allen Lawrence

The Indio Performing Arts Center was filled with families last weekend to see the production of THE RAGAMUFFIN PROJECT: WE GOT THE BEAT! The show was written, produced and directed, by Noemi Villela-Dean and Tres Dean of Just 2 to Tango Productions. Some of the original sketches included jabs at pop culture phenomena Hannah Montana, Justin Bieber and iconic ’90s talk show host, Rikki Lake. It was all in the name of comedy, of course.

According to Villela-Dean, their vision was to form a children’s acting troupe that was an “all encompassing” theater production with fast-paced sketch comedy, changing sets on stage, and helping each other with makeup and costume changes.

Tres and Noemi still do private acting lessons for adults and children, but their passion is bringing out the character development in would-be stars, ages 8-18. The classes generally run four to six weeks with a production at the end of each session.

Tres and Noemi are hoping to bring National attention to their workshops for children, by starting a nonprofit foundation for the children who can’t afford the classes but have a passion for acting.

“This is a great outlet for kids, and it keeps them out of trouble,” according to Synda Parker, one of the moms who brought her son to the play. She plans to enroll him in the fall session.

The kids are definitely talented and have impressive comedic timing.

Two of the duos in the play have been collaborating for three years, now. Miranda Hane and KC Wexler have acted together in several performances and have a comfort level of each other’s comedic timing. They have an Abbott-and-Costello-type relationship with one of the skits having the duo reading the “Local News.”

Lindsey Freiberg and Courtney Alcano have a similar relationship. They preformed a perfect “Hee Haw”-type skit that included the back and forth banter of a “That’s Good, No That’s Bad” conversation that was witty and fast moving.

The kids are not only actors, but singers, as well. Several of the actors sang a tribute to the Beatles song “Can’t Buy Me Love,” with the act appropriately called “Beatless.” Led by vocalist Viktoria Hane, the foursome held “real” guitars and had a screaming audience of kids in the front row.

The two-hour show ended with a standing ovation, from the audience.

Tres and Noemi plan to take the summer off with their family, but will resume classes in the fall with registration starting in August.

Saturday, May 22, 2010

TRP: We Got The Beat!

For pictures and the Palm Springs Guides article on our latest show click here

CBS Eye On The Desert

The Valley's Most Innovative Acting Classes Continue at the IPAC!

The Ragamuffin Project is currently offering another season of Theatre Education and Acting classes for children and teens ages 8 to 18 at The Indio Performing Arts Center!


Classes are being taught in one hour sessions between 3pm and 6pm Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday afternoons through the end of May 2010.

Workshops inclue private coaching, character development, audition techniques, cold readings, scene study, musical performance, and improvisation.

Classes are divided into 8 week sessions with pricing as follows:

$175 up front for all 8 classes
(one class free with this option)

or

$200 divided into two payments
($100 for the first four classes/$100 for the last four classes)

For more information, please call us 760-333-0847.

The Indio Performing Arts Center is located at:
45175 Fargo St
Indio, CA 92201
(760) 775-5200
indioperformingartscenter.org

Ragamuffin Children's Summer Theatre

Just 2 to Tango Productions
and
The Indio Performing Arts Center
present

THE RAGAMUFFIN PROJECT
PROFESSIONAL SUMMER THEATRE INTENSIVE
for children ages 8 to 18

Classes to be held on:
Saturday, August 1st
Saturday, August 8th
Saturday, August 15th
Saturday, August 22nd
Saturday, August 29th

*All classes will take place from 12 P.M. to 4 P.M.

The five-week series of classes include instruction in Acting, Character Development & Improvisation; Musical Performance (Singing & Dancing); Stage Combat; Technical Design; Costume & Make-up Design; and Auditioning Techniques.

Children will be grouped into classes by age.

The classes will be taught by a group of professional instructors specializing in each area. A professional television director/producer/writer will be attending the final class to critique the students' performances and give advice to both the students and their parents.

During the six week series of classes, auditions and casting will be held for the Fall Musical Comedy Production to be held at The Indio Performing Arts Center. Most of the casting will come from those students involved in the workshops.


*Early deadline for registration and payment is July 6th, 2009.


{If registered before or on July 6th, the cost for the five week series is $250 per student.
If registered after July 6th, the cost is $300 per student.}

*Limited Scholarships may be available to those who qualify.

A registration will be held on Saturday, June 27th from noon to 1pm
at The Indio Performing Arts Center.

If you cannot make this registration, you may apply over the phone by calling 760-333-0847 or 760-799-2576.

The Indio Performing Arts Center is located at 45-175 Fargo Street in Indio.

For more information, please contact TRES DEAN and NOEMI VILLELA-DEAN at (760)333-0847 or (760)799-2576

A Huge Hit at the IPAC!

By Greg Begin
Photos by John Garber



“Anything adults can do, kids can do.”

This was proven by the outstanding youth and teen ensemble cast of “The Ragamuffin Project” performed at the Indio Performing Arts Center (IPAC) in downtown Indio, California. The show was written, adapted and directed by Noemi Villela-Dean and Tres Dean of Just 2 to Tango Productions.

“We set a very high bar for kids and they reach it every time,” said Villela-Dean.

This was evident in the dynamic preteen and teenage performers in their "Saturday Night Live" style comedy cabaret.

These children are the future of Hollywood, stage and screen. The production truly offered the finest talent I've ever seen in the Coachealla Valley's children’s theater scene. This proves to be one of the finest opportunities for young people to showcase their on-stage talents before marching off to Hollywood and beyond.

This is an excellent opportunity for young performers to sharpen their craft. These kids show exceptional talent honed with the good fortune they’ve been given through the IPAC.

Directors and writers Dean and Villela-Dean offered an exceptional script that the young performers delivered with award-winning prowess.

Villela-Dean said, “Nine out of 10 kids take better direction than adults,” and it shows. “We really feature every kid.”

The 16 kids put together a "Saturday Night Live"-like, fast-paced and well-written comedy that can be appreciated by anyone. They truely are "ready for prime time players.”

Desert Cities Entertainment
(Monday, 08 June 2009)
_________________________________________




Well, for those of you who came to the IPAC this past weekend, you know what wonderful performances our Ragamuffins put on! We could not be more proud of them all. To those of you who continue to believe in us- thank you and we couldn't have done it without you.

We appreciate all of the continuing support and we'll keep you posted on our summer program.