REVOLUTION STAGE COMPANY
P A L M S P R I N G S
MEET THE RANKS
Gary Powers
Founder/Producing Partner
Born into a large Pennsylvania family, Gary was entranced by movies as a child, particularly ‘The Wizard of Oz.’ When he was eight, unexplainably, he wrote a music, sang in talent shows across the state and told everyone he wanted to be a ‘movie star.’ Later he wanted to be a minister, teacher and a Roller Derby skater. Life had other plans.
After seeing Angela Lansbury in ‘Gypsy,’ Gary knew he had to be in the theatre. After studying journalism for two years at Penn State, Gary was accepted into the acting program at Boston’s Emerson College, a town where he got to see and work with show biz legends. For over four decades, he sold tickets and managed box offices in New York City, both on and off Broadway, later a union member with IATSE Treasurers & Ticket Sellers Local #751.
John Kander (‘Cabaret’ & ‘Chicago’) mentored Gary in the development of musicals while Milan Stitt (‘The Runner Stumbles’) taught him the craft of playwriting. Milan also introduced Gary to Spain in 1994, a country he’s visited over thirty times. Over the past fifty years, Gary’s been on stage in many shows and has written numerous musicals and plays.
While performing with James Owens in ‘Mid-Century Moderns,’ they decided to create something new in the Coachella Valley, a ‘Revolution,’ using the finest local talent to create an ‘Off-Broadway style theatre space’ showcasing a wide variety of the best live performances. The Revolution Stage Company was created in May, 2023 and has presented hundreds of performances during its first two years becoming Palm Springs’ newest, most innovative theatre company.
Gary's Credits
Boston Theatre Box Offices: Colonial, Shubert, Wilbur, Boston Repertory
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Off-Broadway: Orpheum, Union Square, Minetta Lane, Cherry Lane, New World Stages, Royal George (Chicago)
Broadway: Walter Kerr, Schoenfeld, Golden, Ambassador, Jacobs, Virginia, Hirschfeld, Helen Hayes, TKTS (Local 751)
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1975 Pennsylvania Secondary School Drama Festival ‘Best Actor’ (Bucks County Playhouse)
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Performer: ‘King of Hearts,’ ‘Boys in the Band,’ ‘Jesus Christ Superstar,’ ‘Applause,’ ‘The Pajama Game,’ ‘Mid-Century Moderns.’ Composer: ‘Not in Front of the Children,’ a one-person musical
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Composer: ‘Hallowed Be Thy Father,’ a musical
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Composer: ‘Die Laughing,’ a Burlesque musical
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Playwright: ‘Columbus Day,’ ‘The King of Broadway,’ ‘The Beagle Tree,’ ‘Charlotte,’ ‘The Great Kippered Herring Conundrum.’
Book Writer: Jeanie Cunningham & Matt Naylor’s ‘Off the Street,’ a musical
Director: ‘Off the Street’ (RSC), ‘Crab Cakes’ (RSC), ‘Typsy,’ ‘Liquor Shop of Horrors,’ ‘Sobriety Night Live.’
Producer: ‘Roller Derby, the Musical’ (NYC) along with every MainStage RSC production
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Founder: Roller Derby Foundation, raising money to support former banked track roller skaters (2000-present).
Executive Director & Curator: National Roller Derby Hall of Fame & Museum (2004-present)
James Owens
Founder/Production Manager
Theatre is more than an art form to James—it is a mission. He is deeply committed to elevating theatre as a powerful, relevant, and transformative space that reflects the world we live in while imagining the one we strive to create. He believes theatre has the capacity to challenge perspectives, amplify unheard voices, and cultivate empathy. His work is driven by a desire to advance the art form with intention, excellence, and courage.
What began as a passion has evolved into a lifelong dedication. James draws inspiration from every stage of the theatrical process, from the initial spark of an idea to the final curtain call. Theatre is where he feels most engaged—where creativity, collaboration, and storytelling intersect. Whether working with classical texts or developing new and innovative pieces, he approaches each project with curiosity, respect for the craft, and a deep appreciation for the connection between artists and audiences.
With experience across a wide range of roles within theatre, James possesses a comprehensive understanding of how each element contributes to the whole. From performing onstage to supporting productions behind the scenes, he values every role and every individual involved in bringing stories to life. This breadth of experience has shaped him into a thoughtful collaborator and emerging leader, grounded in both practical knowledge and genuine passion. As he continues his professional journey, James remains committed to growth, ongoing learning, and ensuring that theatre continues to thrive for future generations.
James' Credits
Director
RENT - RSC
Avenue Q - RSC (2nd annual production)
Little Shop of Horrors - RSC
25th Annual Putnam…Bee - RSC
Avenue Q - RSC
Not in Front of the Children - RSC
Mid Century Moderns - Desert Rose Playhouse
West Side Story - North Star Theatre
Joseph… Dreamcoat - Desert Theatreworks
Newsies Jr. - Desert Theatreworks
Legally Blonde Jr. - Desert Theatreworks​​
Production Manager
Off The Street
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Charles Dickens Writes A Christmas Carol
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Witchland
Woman In The Mirror
Baby
I Do I Do
Company
Spring Awakening
Vanya & Sonia & Masha & Spike
How To Succeed ... Trying
The Shark Is Broken
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Point Loma
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Evil Dead The Musical​
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Plaid Tidings
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Assassins
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Pippin
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JBKO
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Cockroaches
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Melanie Blue
Board Member
Melanie Blue is an accomplished actor, improviser, and Improv teacher. She is a 7 time recipient of the Desert Theatre League Award for outstanding acting. Prior to moving to Palm Springs, she performed extensively in LA and Chicago. Melanie has a BA from Sarah Lawrence in Theatre Arts. She is an alumni of both Second City, and IO Chicago. While in Chicago, Melanie studied and worked with the guru and godfather of all improv, Mr. Del Close, and became his protégé. When she is not building an improv empire, you can find her starring in local commercials and performing in theatrical productions with the most acclaimed companies of the Coachella Valley.
Valerian Ruminski
Director of Development
Valerian Ruminski is a graduate of SUNY- Buffalo University and The Academy of Vocal Arts in Philadelphia PA. He has sung with the Metropolitan Opera, Carnegie Hall, NYC Opera and many of the major opera companies and orchestras in the world including the Danish National Opera, Opera Ireland, Opera de Monte Carlo, Hawaii Opera Theatre, Opera de Montreal, Manitoba Opera, Calgary Opera, Dallas Opera, TOBS Biel Opera (Switzerland), Florida Grand Opera, Seattle Opera, Portland Opera, Michigan Opera Theatre, Musica Viva (China) as well as The Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, San Diego Symphony and The Montreal Symphony Orchestra. He is the recipient of the Lincoln Center Martin Segal Award, a Richard Tucker Award and a Gerda Lissner Foundation Grant. He has been featured in the International Metropolitan Opera broadcasts in IMAX and can be heard on Naxos Records 'Night at the Opera' with the Royal Symphony of London as well as New World Records 'Victor Herbert: The Next Generation'. He has been the Artistic Director of Nickel City Opera in Buffalo NY since 2009 and of Nickel City Opera West (in CA) since 2020. Mr. Ruminski has directed opera and theatre and conducted performances of Amahl and the Night Visitors by Gian Carlo Menotti. He is the recipient of a 10 year Service Award from Opera America for his dedication to the art form. He is proud and honored to be contributing to the arts in the desert with Revolution Stage Company.
Rebecca McWilliams
House Manager
Rebecca’s first role at RSC was in our first 10 Minute Play Fest, shes since been cast in our 2nd and 3rd play fests as well. She portrayed the Ghost of Christmas Past in Dickens Writes a Christmas Carol. She then joined our staff as the House Manager Season two. On stage she was in Woman in the Mirror, an original play that has toured to Arizona and will perform at both the upcoming Hollywood and Edinburgh Fringe Festivals. She was also our Sonia in Sonia, Vonya, Masha and Spike; and in Little Shop of Horrors she was our Mrs. Mushnick. She directed our production of Baby the Musical. She was also Deborah in Late Company an Inspiration’s Edge award-winning production that toured to our stage. She has performed and directed at many Morongo Valley and Coachella Valley theaters and has gardened several local awards for her work. Originally from Saginaw, MI where she attended the Center for the Arts & Sciences. She’s a graduate of AMDA, The American Musical & Dramatic Academy, NYC. Her role has grown here at RSC as she’s also our Volunteer Coordinator and our Press and Publicity Director.