Professional actor involved with PlayHouse leads summer workshop

In this workshop, kids are encouraged to act out.

They improvise with props, speak in and out of turn and create stories and characters using their imaginations.

The La Quinta PlayHouse Acting Intensive Workshop for Children is back for its second year.

So are many students.

K.C. Wehler, a 13-year-old in her second year of the workshop, said the workshop is preparing her for a career in acting.

"There aren't many opportunities, and this is perfect," the La Quinta resident said.

"I feel that I've become a better actress because of this. I think better on my feet."

Tres Dean, 31, is the workshop instructor. He has a master's degree in theater and has performed all over the world.

In the past few years, he's focused on teaching.

"There's nothing better than teaching something and seeing it click," said Dean of La Quinta.

"I love working with kids."

Through the workshop, children learn to build relationships on stage, develop characters and improvise, he said.

To teach them these techniques, Dean said he uses games and activities "that make sense."

On July 25, the workshop members sat in a circle and improvised a story as a group, each person adding one word at a time to the tale.

One group told the story of a farmer named Pizza, who wore a polka-dotted dress.

It is those improvisations 12-year-old Esther Yaghoubian called her favorite part about the workshop.

Eight-year-old Lilly Koochek said she finds all of it interesting.

"I enjoy this because I like acting and singing," she said, explaining she wants to stay involved with the workshop as long as she can.

Indio parent Katrina Todd thinks the workshop is a positive experience for her 7-year-old daughter, Rachel. This is her first year.

"I think it promotes reading," Katrina Todd said, referring to children's use of scripts. "I think it encourages creativity.

"My family, we'll be involved for a long time."