REVOLUTION STAGE COMPANY
P A L M S P R I N G S
MEET THE RANKS
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.
Co-Founder & Senior Producer
James' Credits
Director
RENT - RSC
Into The Woods - Post Playhouse
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​​
Producer
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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Silver Foxes
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Gary Powers
Co-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)
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.
Tim Mulligan
Board Member
Tim Mulligan is the author of the World of Witchland Trilogy, including the graphic novels Witchland, Snitchland, Twitchland, and the soon-to-be-released Diitchland, well as the two best-selling cookbooks, "A Perfect Ten," and "A Perfect Ten Party Edition," and the best-selling leadership book "Roar: How To Build a Resilient Organization the World Famous San Diego Zoo Way."
Mulligan also is a playwright, and his play, WITCHLAND, has enjoyed highly successful full runs in San Diego, Palm Springs, and Off-Broadway in New York city. His new play, POINT LOMA, recently enjoyed a highly successful Off-Broadway run in June of 2025, and a highly successful run in Palm Springs, where it won 2025 Broadway World Regional Awards for Best Play and Best New Play. Tim's newest play, Pig Butchered, will be seen on stage in Late 2026.
Emerson Collins
Board Member
Emerson Collins is an actor, producer, director and TV personality/host who starred in four seasons of BRAVO’s hit social series The People’s Couch and appeared as "Steve" in RENT on FOX.
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Emerson has been honored as a member of the OUT 100 and regularly appears on panels, at festivals and as a speaker and moderator for discussions of film and theatre production, pop culture, and queer representation in media and wrote as a contributor for the Dallas Voice. Book Emerson here.
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In 2024, Emerson produced the Off-Broadway premiere of Wounded at the SoHo Playhouse in New York City, winner of the Overall Excellence Award at the International Fringe Encore Series. He produced the second Del Shores Foundation Writers Festival in Atlanta. He and Blake toured I Dreamed A Dreamgirl to Provincetown and then a brand new holiday show Christmas Actually toured in December. Emerson also starred in Buyer & Cellar for the third time for The 6th Act in Los Angeles.
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In 2023, Emerson starred in the World Premiere of The Red Suitcase and won the Robby Award for Best Actor in a Drama, and he appeared in The Rocky Horror Skivvies Show. Emerson was an Executive Producer for Drag Isn't Dangerous, a telethon livestream raising nearly $600,000 for LGBTQ+ organizations. He directed and produced with Blake McIver the 20th Anniversary of the Gertrude C. Ford Center for the Performing Arts in Mississippi hosted by Morgan Freeman with Debbie Allen and Christine Baranski featuring Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis, Jr. He also produced the livestream benefit fundraiser A Sordid Celebration of Lives honoring Leslie Jordan, Olivia Newton-John, Rue McClanahan & more raising $15,000 for 25 non-profit theatres.
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Emerson's Producing/Directing awards include: Best Production of a Play nominee - LA Stage Alliance Ovation Awards - This Side of Crazy
Out At The Movies FF - Audience Award; Out On Film - Best Comedy Audience Award, QCinema - Shawn A. Moore Prize for Texas Filmmaking - Six Characters In Search of a Play.
His Acting awards include: Desert Theatre League Award - Best Actor In A Comedy - Buyer & Cellar; Red Dirt International Film Festival - Best Actor - Southern Baptist Sissies; Dallas/Fort Worth Column Awards - Best Actor - Play - Southern Baptist Sissies
Susan Freedman
Board Member
Susan currently leads Revolution Stage Company's popular 10-Minute Play Festival and has played an important role in fostering emerging voices and creating opportunities for playwrights and artists throughout the community.
Susan is a former radio producer at the CBC and author of five critically acclaimed one-woman shows. Susan's show "Oldish" was named 'Pick of the Fringe' at Canada's Vancouver and Nanaimo Fringe Festivals in 2018 and 2019.
Lyn Rothman
Board Member
Lyn Rothman is a producer, writer, and dedicated advocate for charitable causes. Rothman is widely recognized for her fundraising efforts supporting AIDS and Parkinson's disease organizations and brings significant experience in community engagement and philanthropy.
Lyn recently produced the multi-award-winning show, "Garden of Alla", heralded by the Hollywood Times as "An unbelievable true story, a fascinating character. A stunning event", which played at Revolution Stage Company in March of 2025.
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.