A Plethora of Young, San Pedro-Based Talent Complements the Diverse Cast of "Acts of Desperation"

Aspiring dancers, professional dancers, aspiring actors and professional actors all come together to create a stage experience like no other in The Relevant Stage’s “Acts of Desperation” opening January 31, at the historic Warner Grand Theatre in San Pedro, California.

Acts of Desperation is a new theatre production that combines an adaptation for the stage of a multiple award winning documentary film with a provocative one-act play while infusing both with modern dance. The film by Roberta McMillan is Rats and Bullies: The Dawn-Marie Wesley Story, the play by William Mastrosimone is Bang Bang You're Dead, which due to its popularity with youth was made into a movie by Showtime Entertainment. "We are presenting the play" says Artistic Director and Founder of The Relevant Stage, Ray Buffer. "Our first "act" is the staged version of Rats & Bullies and our second "act" is Bang Bang..." Buffer continues, "San Pedro City Ballet will perform modern original pieces that introduce the audience to the central characters of each piece and climactic scenes. In addition video footage from the documentary film and new footage that supports Mastrosimone's work are added to give a rich, multimedia feel to the entire production.

Mastrosimone's play centers on a juvenile boy in jail for murdering five students at his school as well as his own parents. Haunted by his actions, we see inside the mind of a school shooter as he imagines his victims demanding to know why he did what he did. McMillan's film which has been abbreviated in content and adapted by The Relevant Stage both complements and contrasts Mastrosimone's work. In Rats & Bullies, the audience learns the story of a young girl pushed to suicide by three teen girl bullies. Relational aggression and "bullycide" are terms that have erupted into the public eye since the Dawn-Marie Wesley case.

Both “acts" focus as well on the ramifications of both young people's actions on their families and friends and the role played by the bystanders.

The cast of 17 actors and dancers include 7 that are 17 years of age or younger, and hail from San Pedro.

Dancer, Caroline Cypress, age 13, attends Mary Star of the Sea School and is in the 7th grade. She is the youngest cast member of Acts of Desperation, and is featured in one extended solo dance as well as a group piece.

Dancer, Heaven Sanders, age 14, attends 8th grade at Dodson Middle School. At Dodson, she has appeared as “Belle” in Beauty and the Beast”. She plans to continue her training as a professional dancer, and one day open a dance school for under-privileged youth.

Dancer, Milena Grgas, age 17, is a senior at Rolling Hills Prep School.
Actor, Tristan Nieto is a California Arts Scholar of Theatre and 2007 graduate of the California State Summer School for the Arts. He was born and raised in San Pedro where he also attends Rolling Hills Preparatory School. Tristan has been performing in school productions since junior high school.

Actress, Cynthia Archuleta enjoys acting having been exposed to the arts by participating in San Pedro High School productions of Grease and Into the Woods.
Dancers, Andrew Macatrao, age 16, and Amanda Thielen, age 17, are also students at San Pedro High School.

Acts of Desperation marks the first time either Nieto or Archuleta have performed outside school. Part of The Relevant Stage's mission is to offer "real world" experience to aspiring artists. Both teens plan to make acting their careers.

All of the young dancers have studied at San Pedro City Ballet for a minimum of 5 years and some as many as 10 years. Artistic Director, Ray Buffer states “Cindy and Patrick Bradley have worked tirelessly to create beautiful choreography for ‘Acts of Desperation’ that is meaningful and profound. These young dancers have extreme poise and a remarkable ability to emote. They are all disciplined and gifted”.

Buffer had this to say about the two young actors in his cast: "Both Cynthia and Tristan are extremely talented and confident in their abilities. They both possess a maturity that is beyond their years and in the capable hands of the show's director Lucas Pakes; I believe they are both broadening their range and experience by working with professionally trained actors."

Tristan Nieto feels it is "pretty amazing" to work for the first time in a professional company and Cynthia Archuleta is excited to be part of a production that addresses a real social concern among youth parents and educators. The escalation of bullying, school shootings, relational aggression and suicide have made growing up as a teenager today more dangerous than ever. Archuleta says, "Situations like the play occur as early as elementary school and it is never too early to make a change." Buffer adds, "Part of the hope in performing this conceptual theatre piece is that youth will also feel that it is never too late to make a change for the better."

Seating is still available by reservation only for schools that wish to bring groups of teens to the Thursday, January 31 - 1PM or Friday, February 1 - 1PM private performances of Acts of Desperation at Warner Grand Theatre. These are offered free to any school or youth group. Groups must provide their own transportation.

Acts of Desperation will have only 4 public performances beginning on January 31 2008 and closing February 3 2008. Tickets are only $15 for adults, $10 for Seniors and College Students and $5 at all time and for al shows for Youth 18 years and under. "Our youth prices also reflect our mission to engage and make accessible, theatre to teens." remarked Buffer.

Tickets may be purchased in person at Sacred Grounds Coffee House, next door to the theatre, or at Williams Book Store across the street from Warner Grand Theatre.

The easiest way to purchase tickets is via internet at the company's website: www.therelevantstage.com, or by phone at 310/929.8129 during normal business hours.

TRS is offering two free matinees on January 31, 2008 and February 1, 2008 to schools and youth groups for free, by reservation only.

The Warner Grand Theatre is a 76-year-old beautifully restored arts venue in San Pedro's burgeoning, revitalized arts district at 478 W. 6th Street, San Pedro, California 90731.

The Relevant Stage
Warner Grand Theatre
478 West 6th Street
San Pedro, CA 90731

Sally Lodge - Media liaison

The Relevant Stage is a non-profit theatre company dedicated to presenting works that expose truths, engage minds and challenge hearts by underscoring relevant social issues through stimulating entertainment.

The Relevant Stage appreciates the kind support of The City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, and its official media sponsor for its 2008 Season, San Pedro Magazine and Long Beach Press Telegram. The Warner Grand Theatre is a facility of the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs.

This release was published on openPR.