Transcendence Theatre Company

Transcendence Theatre Company
Type	Theatre group
Purpose	Nonprofit 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]

History

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

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.^[3]

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.^[4] As of the end of 2020 Transcendence had given over $530,000 to Jack London State Park.^{[citation needed]}

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.”^[5]^[6]^[7]^[8] The organization received further coverage of their efforts to address the situation.^[9]^[10]^[11]

Awards

Year	Organization	Award	Result
2012	Broadway World San Francisco	Best Special Theater Event	Won
2013	Broadway World San Francisco	Best Choreographer	Won
2013	Broadway World San Francisco	Best Production Performance for Youth	Won
2013	Broadway World San Francisco	Best Special Theater Event^[12]	Won
2013	Broadway World San Francisco	Theater of the Year	Won
2014	USAToday 10-Best	Outdoor Concert Venues You Shouldn’t Miss	Won
2014	Press Democrat	Best Local Live Theater Event	Nominated
2014	Broadway World San Francisco	Best Production Performance By Youth	Won
2014	Broadway World San Francisco	Best Community Theater	Won
2014	4C's of Sonoma County	Champion For Children	Won
2014	Broadway World San Francisco	Best Choreographer - Molly Alvarez	Won
2014	Broadway World San Francisco	Best Direction of a Musical - Melissa Giattino	Won
2014	Broadway World San Francisco	Best Lighting Design - Jeffery Porter	Won
2014	Broadway World San Francisco	Best Individual Performance - Lexy Fridell	Won
2014	North Bay Business Journal	40 Under 40 Award - Amy Miller	Won
2015	Broadway World San Francisco	Best Special Theater Event	Won
2015	Broadway World San Francisco	Best Best Production Performance By Youth	Won
2015	Broadway World San Francisco	Best Best Production Performance For Youth	Won
2015	Broadway World San Francisco	Best Choreography (Local) - Amanda Lehman & Dylan Smith	Won
2015	Broadway World San Francisco	Best Leading Actor in a Musical (Local) - Nicolas Dromard	Won
2015	Broadway World San Francisco	Best Direction of a Musical - Roy Lightner	Won
2015	Broadway World San Francisco	Best Leading Actress in a Musical (Local) - Desiree Davar	Won
2015	Broadway World San Francisco	Best Lighting Design - Jeffery Porter	Won
2015	Broadway World San Francisco	Best Scenic Design (Local) - Michael Kramer	Won
2015	Broadway World San Francisco	Best Sound Design (Local) - Nils Erikson	Won
2015	Broadway World San Francisco	Person to Watch (Female) - Amy Miller	Won
2015	Broadway World San Francisco	Person to Watch (Male) - Erik Jackson	Won
2016	Broadway World San Francisco	Best Special Theater Event (Wine Country Speakeasy)	Won
2016	Broadway World San Francisco	Best Production Performed for Youth	Won
2016	Broadway World San Francisco	Best Costume Design (Local) - Janis Snyder	Won
2016	Broadway World San Francisco	Best Featured Actress in a Musical - Keri Safran	Won
2016	North Bay Bohemian	Best Live Performing Dance Company	Won
2016	The Press Democrat	Best Theater Company	Won
2017	Sonoma Valley Sun	Best Live Show or Production	Won
2017	North Bay Bohemian	Best Performing Dance Company	Won
2017	North Bay Bohemian	Best Production	Won
2017	North Bay Business Journal	40 Under 40 Award - Brad Surosky	Won
2017	North Bay Business Journal	40 Under 40 Award - Stephan Stubbins	Won
2020	Broadway World San Francisco	Theatre of the Decade^[13]	Won

Past performers

2011

Amy Miller Brad Surosky Stephan Stubbins Eric Jackson Brooke Tansley Rachel Lousie Thomas Elizabeth Santana Michael Crowley Mike Kirsch Leah Sprecher

2012

2013

2014

2015

Amy Miller Brad Surosky Brooke Tansley Celeste Soo Wei Chiam-Tomaszewski Christopher Youngsman Devin McNichol Dylan Smith Eric B. Anthony Eric Jackson Erin Maguire Jennifer Farmer Justin Greer (Gomlak) Katherine Weber Kurt Domoney Liz Kimball	Meggie Cansler Nick Dalton Nicole Mangi Rachel Louise Thomas Robert Petrarca Scott Barnhardt Shannon O'Bryan Stephan Stubbins Tinuke Oyefule Wendy Rosoff Courtney Markowitz Danny Calvert David R. Gordon Desireé Davar	Jessica Lee Coffman Julie Craig Leslie McDonel Lexy Fridell Luis Figueroa Michael Mahany Nicolas Dromard Valerie Salgado Colin Campbell McAdoo Christopher Culberson Danielle Truitt Evan Ruggiero Keri Safran Libby Servais	Luis Figueroa Tony Gonzalez Carrie Manolakos James D. Sasser Leah Sprecher Libby Servais Lizzie Kemplerer Mike Kirsch Molly Booth Nicole Mangi Scott Barnhardt Sheri Sanders Stephanie Cadman	Victor Mazzone Will Reynolds Alicia Albright Amanda Lehman Amy Hillner Larsen Elise Sievert Jaclyn Miller Joey Khoury Kristin Piro Molly Booth Q. Smith Randi Kaye	Reesa Ishiyama Robert Petrarca Ryan Kasprzak Scott Barnhardt

2016

Alicia Albright Aaron Alcaraz Aaron LaVigne Allyson Carr Amanda Lehman Amy Hillner Larsen Amy Miller Andrew Hodge Anne Brummel Avery Sobczak Brad Surosky Brandon Espinoza	Brooke Morrison Bryan Buscher-West Casey Hebbel Cessalee Stovall Colin Campbell McAdoo Correy West Courtney Markowitz Danny Calvert David R. Gordon Dean de Luna Dylan Smith Ellen Toscano	Eric Jackson Erika Conaway Erin Maya Garen McRoberts Heather McCornack Jacqueline Arnold Jessica Coffman Joe Grandy John Yi Julie Craig Kayley Anne Collins Keri Safran	Kiira Schmidt Kristin Piro Lauren Krautmann Leslie McDonel Lexy Fridell Lizzie Klemperer Luis Figueroa Matthew Rossoff Meggie Cansler Merideth Kaye Clark Michael Callahan Michael Kirsch Michele Maika Berg	Neil Starkenberg Nick Dalton Philip Dean Lightstone Q. Smith Rachel Louise Thomas Randi Kaye Rhyn McLemore Saver Roy Lightner Shannon O'Bryan Stephan Stubbins Stephanie Cadman	Sydney Morton Tara Heal Taylor Markarian Thomas Bevan Tony Gonzalez Trevor Strader Tyler Foy Valerie Salgado Will Reynolds

2017

Aaron Alcaraz Adam Shonkwiler Alexander "AJ" Ackleson Amy Miller Andrew Hodge Aubrey Mae Davis Beth Kirkpatrick Brad Surosky Brooke Lacy Brooke Morrison Cameron Hobbs Casey Hebbel Christopher Youngsman	Colin Campbell McAdoo Courtney Markowitz David R. Gordon Desiree Davar Dylan Smith Ellen Toscano Emilio Ramos Eric Jackson Erika Conaway Erin Maya Evan Ruggiero Freddie Kimmel Gavin Waters	Heather McCornack Jacob Gutierrez James LaRosa Jamison Scott Jennifer Farmer Jessica Lee Coffman Joey Khoury Joshua Bailey Julie Craig Kathryn Allison Kayley Anne Collins Lauren Sprague Lexy Fridell	Lori Haley Fox Matthew Rossoff Max Quinlan Meggie Cansler Mike Kirsch Natalie Gallo Nick Kepley Nicolas Dromard Nikko Kimzin Philip Dean Lightstone Rachel Louise Thomas Rebekah Pearson	Rhyn McLemore Saver Shaleah Adkisson Shiloh Goodin Sierra Lai Barnett Stephan Stubbins Tara Heal Taylor Avazpour Taylor Markarian Thomasina Gross Tim McGarrigal Valerie Salgado

2019

Alex Hartman Alicia Albright Alle-Faye Monka Amy Miller Angela Birchett Brittney Morello Cara Salerno Catherine Wreford Colin Bradbury Courtney Markowitz Croix Dilenno Dan Gleason David Grindrod	DeAnne Stewart Dee Tomasetta Desirée Davar DJ Petrosino Drew Fountain Dylan Smith (actor) Erika Conaway Evan Ruggiero Ezekial Andrew McCall Garen McRoberts Hannah Jean Simmons Jeremy Greenbaum Jesse Gonzales	Jesse Michels Joey Khoury Julia Freyer Karen Burthwright Katie Call Kayley Anne Collins Keenon Hooks Kimberly Pine Kristin Piro Leslie McDonel Leslie Rochette Libby Servais Luis Figueroa	Marcus Shane Mary Page Nance Matthew Rossoff Meggie Cansler Ness Michael Starr Mike Kirsch Natalie Gallo Neil Starkenberg Nicolas Dromard Paul Thiemann Philip Dean Lightstone Royzell D. Walker	Ryan Jackson (actor) Sierra Lai Barnett Stephan Stubbins Tim Roller Tony Gonzales Will Ray

Performance history

2011

1. Broadway Under The Stars in Jack London State Historic State Park (one-night benefit concert) | Broadway Under the Stars

2012

1. Dream The Impossible Dream | Broadway Under the Stars

2. Fantastical Family Night | Broadway Under the Stars

3. What A Wonderful World | Broadway Under the Stars

4. Gala Celebration | Broadway Under the Stars

2013

1. Fly Me To The Moon | Broadway Under the Stars

2. Fantastical Family Night | Broadway Under the Stars

3. Dancing Through Life | Broadway Under the Stars

4. Gala Celebration | Broadway Under the Stars

5. Carrie Manolakos in Concert | Transcendence Artist Series

6. An Evening with Sutton Foster | Transcendence Artist Series

7. Leah Sprecher's "Old at Heart" | Transcendence Artist Series

8. The Stephanie Cadman Trio | Transcendence Artist Series

2014

1. One Singular Sensation | Broadway Under the Stars

2. Fantastical Family Night | Broadway Under the Stars

3. The Music Of The Night | Broadway Under the Stars

4. Gala Celebration | Broadway Under the Stars

5. Lexy Fridell in "Brace Yourself" | Transcendence Artist Series

6. Carrie Manolakos & Morgan Kerr in Concert | Transcendence Artist Series

7. Steppin' Out Live! With Ben Vereen | Transcendence Artist Series

8. "Witness Uganda" By Matt Gould & Griffith Matthews | Transcendence Artist Series

9. "Oh What a Beautiful Mashup!" With Leah Sprecher & Stephan Stubbins | Transcendence Artist Series

2015

1. Oh What a Night! | Broadway Under the Stars

2. Fantastical Family Night | Broadway Under the Stars

3. Rhythm of Life | Broadway Under the Stars

4. Gala Celebration | Broadway Under the Stars

5. Superheroes in Love | Transcendence Artist Series

6. Megan Hilty in Concert | Transcendence Artist Series

7. Off to the Cloud | Transcendence Artist Series

8. Imagine | Transcendence Artist Series

2016

1. This Magic Moment | Broadway Under the Stars

2. Fantastical Family Night | Broadway Under the Stars

3. Dance the Night Away | Broadway Under the Stars

4. Gala Celebration | Broadway Under the Stars

5. Wine Country Speakeasy | Transcendence Experiences

6. Joy to the World

7. The Best of Broadway

2017

1. Another Openin' Another Show | Broadway Under the Stars

2. Fantastical Family Night | Broadway Under the Stars

3. Fascinating Rhythm | Broadway Under the Stars

4. Gala Celebration | Broadway Under the Stars

5. Broadway Holiday Spectacular

2018

1. Stairway to Paradise | Broadway Under the Stars

2. Fantastical Family Night | Broadway Under the Stars

3. Shall We Dance | Broadway Under the Stars

4. Gala Celebration | Broadway Under the Stars

5. Broadway Holiday Spectacular

2019

1. A Chorus Line | Broadway Under the Stars

2. Fantastical Family Night | Broadway Under the Stars

3. Those Dancin' Feet | Broadway Under the Stars

4. The Big Gala Celebration | Broadway Under the Stars

References

^ "How to Save a Park Broadway Style". NorthBay biz. Archived from the original on 2021-04-24. Retrieved 2021-04-24.
^ "Heroes of Our State Parks #1 – Transcendence Theatre". Archived from the original on 2021-04-24. Retrieved 2021-04-24.
^ "Nonprofits hope to save Jack London - Sonoma News - News 2011 - Sonoma, CA". Archived from the original on 2012-01-07. Retrieved 2012-03-03.
^ "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.
^ "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.
^ 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.
^ 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.
^ "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.
^ "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.
^ "Transcendence and the tempest". Sonoma County Gazette. 2021-02-24. Archived from the original on 2021-04-24. Retrieved 2021-04-24.
^ 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.
^ "Transcendence Theatre Company wins four Broadway World San Francisco awards". Santa Rosa Press Democrat. Retrieved 2021-04-24.
^ "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.

External links

[1] "How to Save a Park Broadway Style". NorthBay biz. Archived from the original on 2021-04-24. Retrieved 2021-04-24.

[2] "Heroes of Our State Parks #1 – Transcendence Theatre". Archived from the original on 2021-04-24. Retrieved 2021-04-24.

[3] "Nonprofits hope to save Jack London - Sonoma News - News 2011 - Sonoma, CA". Archived from the original on 2012-01-07. Retrieved 2012-03-03.

[4] "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.

[5] "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.

[6] 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.

[7] 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.

[8] "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.

[9] "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.

[10] "Transcendence and the tempest". Sonoma County Gazette. 2021-02-24. Archived from the original on 2021-04-24. Retrieved 2021-04-24.

[11] 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.

[12] "Transcendence Theatre Company wins four Broadway World San Francisco awards". Santa Rosa Press Democrat. Retrieved 2021-04-24.

[13] "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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