Transcendence Theatre Company

Last updated
Transcendence Theatre Company
TypeTheatre group
PurposeNonprofit Professional Regional Theatre Company
Location
  • Sonoma County, California
Artistic director(s)
Amy Miller
Notable members
Sutton Foster, Megan McGinnis, Ben Vereen
Website transcendencetheatre.org

Transcendence Theatre Company is a professional regional theatre company founded in 2008 in Sonoma County, California. The company produces Broadway concerts and musicals. [1] [2]

Contents

History

Transcendence Theatre Company (TTC) was established in 2008 as a 501c3 non-profit performing arts organization.

Project Knowledge [3]

On February 20th, 2010, TTC held a benefit performance at the American Film Institute in Los Angeles to formally announce "Project Knowledge," a research tour across the United States. [3] [4]

Broadway Under the Stars

2011 Benefit Concert [5]

In 2011 TTC produced Broadway Under the Stars, a benefit concert for the Valley of the Moon Natural History Association, a 501c3 non-profit organization which takes care of Jack London, Annadel and Sugarloaf Ridge State Parks. [6] 14 Performers donated their time to sing songs in the benefit. [5]

2012 Season - First Full Season [7] [8]

In 2012 TTC produced its first full season of concerts in Jack London State Historic Park. [7] A portion of the proceeds from each concert was donated to the Valley of the Moon Natural History Association. [7] The season included four separate themed concerts with a total of 14 nights of performances, as well as a Broadway kids camp for kids ages 8-18. [7]

2014 Season - Paint The Universe [9] [10]

In 2014 TTC's season theme was Paint the Universe. [9] [10] The company partnered with Benziger Family Winery [9] to develop their own wine blend named Paint the Universe, [9] partnered with singer/songwriter Carrie Manolakos on an "original season song" that was written by Carrie Manolakos with Andrew Allen and Robin Ghosh, called Paint the Universe, [9] [10] and partnered with artist Lindsay Manolakos on an original painting. [9]

Relationship with Jack London State Historic Park

In the first two seasons, Transcendence gave over $72,000 to Jack London State Historic Park to help prevent the park from being closed. A portion of every ticket sale goes to the park.[ citation needed ] As of the summer of 2017 Transcendence had given over $350,000 to Jack London State Park. [11] As of January, 2020, Transcendence had given over $515,000 to Jack London State Park. [12]

Allegations of toxic culture

In February 2021 TTC Director of Education and Community Engagement Nikko Kimzin publicly announced that he had resigned, stating his reasons as “…the Transcendence Executive Team’s ongoing suppression of equity, diversity, and inclusion practices and inaction toward becoming an equitable theater” and for their creation of “a hostile work environment where I could no longer be successful in serving all of our diverse communities.” [13] [14] [15] [16] The organization received further coverage of their efforts to address the situation. [17] [18] [19]

Awards

YearOrganizationAwardResult
2012Broadway World San FranciscoBest Special Theater Event [20] Won
2013Broadway World San FranciscoBest ChoreographerWon
2013Broadway World San FranciscoBest Production Performance for YouthWon
2013Broadway World San FranciscoBest Special Theater Event [21] Won
2013Broadway World San FranciscoTheater of the YearWon
2013Sonoma Valley SunBest Individual Performance - Stephan Stubbins [22] Won
2014USAToday 10-BestOutdoor Concert Venues You Shouldn’t MissWon
2014Press DemocratBest Local Live Theater EventNominated
2014Broadway World San FranciscoBest Production Performance By YouthWon
2014Broadway World San FranciscoBest Community TheaterWon
20144C's of Sonoma CountyChampion For ChildrenWon
2014Broadway World San FranciscoBest Choreographer - Molly Alvarez Won
2014Broadway World San FranciscoBest Direction of a Musical - Melissa Giattino Won
2014Broadway World San FranciscoBest Lighting Design - Jeffery Porter Won
2014Broadway World San FranciscoBest Individual Performance - Lexy Fridell Won
2014North Bay Business Journal40 Under 40 Award - Amy Miller Won
2015Broadway World San FranciscoBest Special Theater EventWon
2015Broadway World San FranciscoBest Best Production Performance By YouthWon
2015Broadway World San FranciscoBest Best Production Performance For YouthWon
2015Broadway World San FranciscoBest Choreography (Local) - Amanda Lehman & Dylan Smith Won
2015Broadway World San FranciscoBest Leading Actor in a Musical (Local) - Nicolas Dromard Won
2015Broadway World San FranciscoBest Direction of a Musical - Roy Lightner Won
2015Broadway World San FranciscoBest Leading Actress in a Musical (Local) - Desiree Davar Won
2015Broadway World San FranciscoBest Lighting Design - Jeffery Porter Won
2015Broadway World San FranciscoBest Scenic Design (Local) - Michael KramerWon
2015Broadway World San FranciscoBest Sound Design (Local) - Nils Erikson Won
2015Broadway World San FranciscoPerson to Watch (Female) - Amy Miller Won
2015Broadway World San FranciscoPerson to Watch (Male) - Erik Jackson Won
2016Broadway World San FranciscoBest Special Theater Event (Wine Country Speakeasy)Won
2016Broadway World San FranciscoBest Production Performed for YouthWon
2016Broadway World San FranciscoBest Costume Design (Local) - Janis Snyder Won
2016Broadway World San FranciscoBest Featured Actress in a Musical - Keri Safran Won
2016North Bay BohemianBest Live Performing Dance CompanyWon
2016The Press DemocratBest Theater CompanyWon
2017Sonoma Valley SunBest Live Show or ProductionWon
2017North Bay BohemianBest Performing Dance CompanyWon
2017North Bay BohemianBest ProductionWon
2017North Bay Business Journal40 Under 40 Award - Brad Surosky Won
2017North Bay Business Journal40 Under 40 Award - Stephan Stubbins Won
2020Broadway World San FranciscoTheatre of the Decade [23] Won

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References

  1. ↑ Kearns, Bo (2019-12-26). "How to Save a Park Broadway Style". NorthBay biz. Archived from the original on 2021-04-24. Retrieved 2021-04-24.
  2. ↑ Amador-Rusnak, Sarah. "Heroes of Our State Parks #1 – Transcendence Theatre". Archived from the original on 2021-04-24. Retrieved 2021-04-24.
  3. 1 2 Montgomery, Heather (2013-03-26). "Big Dreams Come True For Transcendence Theatre Company". 8 Women Dream.
  4. ↑ Miller, Amy (2010-02-24). "Transcendence Theatre Los Angeles Benefit 2010". Blogspot.
  5. 1 2 Charrier-Botts, Emily (2011-09-29). "Singing to save Jack London". Sonoma Magazine. Archived from the original on 2012-06-17.
  6. ↑ "Nonprofits hope to save Jack London - Sonoma News - News 2011 - Sonoma, CA". Archived from the original on 2012-01-07. Retrieved 2012-03-03.
  7. 1 2 3 4 Kallen, Christian (2012-06-26). "Broadway Under the Stars Returns for Summer Season". Patch.
  8. ↑ Templeton, David (2017-03-15). "Transcendence Theater takes Broadway – and a taste of Jack London Park – to Marin County". North Bay Stage and Screen.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 6 News Desk, BWW (2014-06-10). "The Transcendence Theatre Company with Benziger Family Winery Presents PAINT THE UNIVERSE". BroadwayWorld.
  10. 1 2 3 Peterson, Tyler (2014-07-22). "Transcendence Theatre Company to Present Carrie Manolakos & Morgan Karr in Concert, 8/1-2". BroadwayWorld.
  11. ↑ "Broadway stars, Transcendence Theatre come together for fire". Sonoma Index-Tribune. 2017-11-03. Archived from the original on 2021-04-24. Retrieved 2021-04-24.
  12. ↑ Sheridan, Lorna (2020-01-30). "Transcendence co-founder Stephan Stubbins to depart for the Big Apple". The Sonoma Index-Tribune.
  13. ↑ "Op-Ed: How do we hold arts leaders accountable toward equitable change?". Sonoma County Gazette. 2021-02-20. Archived from the original on 2021-05-07. Retrieved 2021-06-20.
  14. ↑ Stevens, Leah Sprecher (2021-02-16). "A Founder's Call In For Change". Medium. Archived from the original on 2021-05-01. Retrieved 2021-06-20.
  15. ↑ Bishop, Conrad (2021-02-17). "Transcendence Theatre co-founders call for resignation of current leadership from Board". North Bay Stage and Screen. Archived from the original on 2021-03-03. Retrieved 2021-06-20.
  16. ↑ "Op-Ed: Can a company that's abandoned its values and vision correct its course?". Sonoma County Gazette. 2021-02-20. Archived from the original on 2021-05-07. Retrieved 2021-06-20.
  17. ↑ "Former employees, co-founders call for change at Transcendence". Sonoma Index-Tribune. 2021-02-19. Archived from the original on 2021-03-03. Retrieved 2021-06-20.
  18. ↑ "Transcendence and the tempest". Sonoma County Gazette. 2021-02-24. Archived from the original on 2021-04-24. Retrieved 2021-04-24.
  19. ↑ Janiak, Lily (8 March 2021). "Former employee alleges diversity, equity failures at Sonoma's Transcendence Theatre". Archived from the original on 2021-05-01. Retrieved 2021-06-20.
  20. ↑ Pendray, Julie (2013-02-01). "Transcendence Theatre Company Wins Award, Returns This Summer". Patch.
  21. ↑ "Transcendence Theatre Company wins four Broadway World San Francisco awards". Santa Rosa Press Democrat. Retrieved 2021-04-24.
  22. ↑ Sun, Sonoma Valley (2014-03-20). "Best of Sonoma Valley 2013". Sonoma Valley Sun.
  23. ↑ "Sonoma County Theater Company Awarded for Decade of Excellence". Bohemian | Sonoma & Napa Counties. 2021-01-26. Archived from the original on 2021-04-24. Retrieved 2021-04-24.
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