# Transcendence Theatre Company

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

## History

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

### Project Knowledge

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.

### Broadway Under the Stars
#### 2011 Benefit Concert

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. 14 Performers donated their time to sing songs in the benefit.

#### 2012 Season - First Full Season

In 2012 TTC produced its first full season of concerts in Jack London State Historic Park. A portion of the proceeds from each concert was donated to the Valley of the Moon Natural History Association. 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.

#### 2014 Season - Paint The Universe

In 2014 TTC's season theme was Paint the Universe. The company partnered with Benziger Family Winery to develop their own wine blend named Paint the Universe, 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, and partnered with artist Lindsay Manolakos on an original painting.

### 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. As of the summer of 2017 Transcendence had given over $350,000 to Jack London State Park. As of January, 2020, Transcendence had given over $515,000 to Jack London State Park.

### 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.” The organization received further coverage of their efforts to address the situation.

## 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 | Won |
| 2013 | Broadway World San Francisco | Theater of the Year | Won |
| 2013 | Sonoma Valley Sun | Best Individual Performance - Stephan Stubbins | 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 | Won |