Transcendence Theatre Company
 | This article may have been created or edited in return for undisclosed payments, a violation of Wikipedia's terms of use. It may require cleanup to comply with Wikipedia's content policies, particularly neutral point of view. (June 2021) |
| Type | Theatre group |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Nonprofit Professional Regional Theatre Company |
| Location |
|
Artistic director(s) | Amy Miller |
Notable members | Sutton Foster, Megan McGinnis, Ben Vereen |
| Website | transcendencetheatre |
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
[edit]Transcendence Theatre Company (TTC) was established in 2008 as a 501c3 non-profit performing arts organization.
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
[edit]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]
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]
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
[edit]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
[edit]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
[edit]| Year | Organization | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Broadway World San Francisco | Best Special Theater Event[20] | 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[21] | Won |
| 2013 | Broadway World San Francisco | Theater of the Year | Won |
| 2013 | Sonoma Valley Sun | Best Individual Performance - Stephan Stubbins[22] | 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[23] | Won |
- ^ 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.
- ^ Amador-Rusnak, Sarah. "Heroes of Our State Parks #1 – Transcendence Theatre". Archived from the original on 2021-04-24. Retrieved 2021-04-24.
- ^ a b Montgomery, Heather (2013-03-26). "Big Dreams Come True For Transcendence Theatre Company". 8 Women Dream.
- ^ Miller, Amy (2010-02-24). "Transcendence Theatre Los Angeles Benefit 2010". Blogspot.
- ^ a b Charrier-Botts, Emily (2011-09-29). "Singing to save Jack London". Sonoma Magazine. Archived from the original on 2012-06-17.
- ^ "Nonprofits hope to save Jack London - Sonoma News - News 2011 - Sonoma, CA". Archived from the original on 2012-01-07. Retrieved 2012-03-03.
- ^ a b c d Kallen, Christian (2012-06-26). "Broadway Under the Stars Returns for Summer Season". Patch.
- ^ Templeton, David (2017-03-15). "Transcendence Theater takes Broadway – and a taste of Jack London Park – to Marin County". North Bay Stage and Screen.
- ^ a b c d e f News Desk, BWW (2014-06-10). "The Transcendence Theatre Company with Benziger Family Winery Presents PAINT THE UNIVERSE". BroadwayWorld.
- ^ a b c Peterson, Tyler (2014-07-22). "Transcendence Theatre Company to Present Carrie Manolakos & Morgan Karr in Concert, 8/1-2". BroadwayWorld.
- ^ "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.
- ^ Sheridan, Lorna (2020-01-30). "Transcendence co-founder Stephan Stubbins to depart for the Big Apple". The Sonoma Index-Tribune.
- ^ "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.
- ^ Pendray, Julie (2013-02-01). "Transcendence Theatre Company Wins Award, Returns This Summer". Patch.
- ^ "Transcendence Theatre Company wins four Broadway World San Francisco awards". Santa Rosa Press Democrat. Retrieved 2021-04-24.
- ^ Sun, Sonoma Valley (2014-03-20). "Best of Sonoma Valley 2013". Sonoma Valley Sun.
- ^ "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.