Ron Celona

Lincoln Center Directors LAB West

2002

Pasadena, CA

California State University

1984 - 1986

Los Angeles, CA

American Musical and Dramatic Academy

1976 - 1978

New York, NY

(SDC) Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers

(AEA) Actors Equity Association

(SAG-AFTRA) Screen Actors Guild &
American Federation of Television and Radio Artists

Alumni, Lincoln Center Directors LAB West

Producing Artistic Director

2008 - 2022

Coachella Valley Reperatory, Rancho Mirage, CA

Driving force behind a start-up non-profit educational, dramatic and musical theatre organization, whose primary goal is to present innovative, first-rate professional theatrical productions and special events for the enrichment, entertainment and education of the region’s residents and visitors. Responsibilities included: all board relations, fundraising, budget management and creative direction.

Producing Artistic Director

1999 - 2007

Joslyn Players / Josly Center Theatre, Palm Desert, CA

Arthur Newman Theatre, Palm Desert, CA

Launched an award winning, community respected and supported theater company and venue. Responsibilities include review and selection of six-show season, growing the number of subscribers, marketing and public relations, producing a six-show season and directing four in-house productions. Hire and supervise all artistic staff (stage and props managers, costume, lighting and sound designers, box office).
Significant accomplishments include:

• Grew company from two shows per season to six in less than eight years
• Recognized by the City of Palm Desert’s Chamber of Commerce with a “Business and Arts” award
• Received 18 awards for directing and producing from the Desert Theatre League
• Participated as a panelist in the Lincoln Center Directors LAB West annual continuing education seminar
• Generated $85,000 annually from government, foundations and corporations (both financial and in kind support)
• Reached ambitious goal of 750 season subscribers
• Firmly established the venue as an entertainment destination with outside production company rental fees generating an additional $20,000 of unrestricted funding in the last 12 months
• Cross sold and increased dramatically center membership to theatergoers

Program Specialist

1998 - 2006

Joslyn Senior Center, Palm Desert, CA

Responsibilities included development and implementation of all new and ongoing educational, recreational programs and special events. Created marketing materials, press releases, and responded to all media requests, managed volunteer and events coordinators, recruited sponsors for special event underwriting and managed the facility schedule.
Significant accomplishments include:

• Tripled number of programs offered
• Doubled center membership through aggressive marketing and public relations
• Created culturally and economically diverse membership

Teaching Artist

2002 - 2003

McCallum Theatre Institute, Palm Desert, CA

Selected by the McCallum Theatre Institute, a branch of the Lincoln Center Institute as a teaching artist. Trained teachers through summer workshops with a goal of working together to educate and inspire young boys and girls to appreciate visual and theatre arts.

Teaching Artist

2003

Riverside County Arts Council, Riverside, CA

Responsible for creating and delivering a theater curriculum for underserved children in the cities of Indio and Coachella.

Program Director

1995 - 1998

West Hollywood Senior Center (Jewish Family Service), West Hollywood, CA

Significant accomplishments include:

Responsible for development and implementation of all ongoing educational and recreational programs, special events, trips and senior health and wellness fairs for a large diverse membership. Duties included: budget preparation, staff and volunteer recruitment and supervision, fundraising, community outreach, public and media relations, editor and publisher of a monthly calendar and quarterly newsletter, liaison to City of West Hollywood, liaison to the West Hollywood Senior Advisory Board and program assistant to the Board and Care Outreach Program of the City of West Hollywood.

• Special recognition award from the City of West Hollywood for service to the senior community
• Co-Producer of “Senior Buzz”, a local television show
• Produced Film Series at the Directors Guild of America
• Produced a series of multi cultural music series at the Plummer Park Auditorium
• Produced specialty programs to meet cultural and educational needs of large Russian and Gay and Lesbian membership
• Increased membership by 1200
• Grew attendance of special events by over 100%
• Increased funding for programs by 50% and generated income from programs
• Produced specialty programs to meet cultural and educational needs of a Russian immigrant community and the LGBTQ+ community. Bridging the cultural gaps of these two senior communities.

Founder / Producing Artistic Director

1990 - 1994

(AMTR) American Musical Theatre Repertory, Los Angeles, CA

Driving force behind start-up non-profit organization commited to the producing of new musical theatre productions. Reviewed dozens of scripts of new works by writers and composers throughout the country. Responsibilities included: all board relations, fundraising, budget management, creative with the emphasis in producing workshops of new musicals in partnership with the Beverly Hills Library at it's venue.

Principal Owner

1987 - 1990

Clown'n Around - Children's Knitwear Company, Los Angeles, CA

Responsible for all aspects of upscale wholesale children’s knitwear business. Began business as sole designer and manufacturer and through aggressive and innovative sales and marketing secured contracts and grew number of retailers selling merchandise by over 200 percent. Developed expertise in negotiating contracts with sub contractors and vendors.