Transcendence Theatre Company - October/November 2017

Check out the great stories in our October/November newsletter!

Best Life Ever TRANSCENDENCE THEATRE COMPANY

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2017 877-424-1414 | WWW.BESTNIGHTEVER.ORG

WHO SAVED THE STATE PARK? A STORY OF A COMMUNITY

On a cool night in October of 2011, I stood on the hill just above the ruins in Jack London State Historic Park. It was the evening of Transcendence’s first one-night performance to benefit the park. The success of this production would either signal the beginning of Transcendence or act as the curtain call on our big dream. High above, a million shining stars twinkled, and among the ruins below, 900 people sat enthralled as a singer performed John Lennon’s “Imagine” with everything in their heart. I stood with an arm around Ranger Bob, a park ranger who’d helped point us in the direction of the state park slated closure. When I looked up at the big ranger, it was amazing to see tears running down his face. Each time I climb up that hill, I remember that amazing night beneath the moon and the stars and feel blessed that I get to stand above the ruins again and again. People love to hear the story about how Transcendence “saved” the state park, but the truth is, we didn’t do it alone. During a time when parks across California were closing, a lot of people in the community came together to save Jack London State Historic Park. As we were going into our first season, Valley of the Moon Natural History Association, a nonprofit, stepped in and established Jack London Park Partners (JLPP) to take over operations. Back when we took our big RV trip across America, we were always looking for our permanent home. We knew we needed to find the right place for this dream to flourish. I can’t imagine being anywhere else but here. There’s no other park I’ve been to that’s quite like Jack London State Historic Park. There’s a history here, having once been the home of such an amazing adventurer and writer. What’s more, there’s an energy you can’t replicate. You feel it when you step onto these trails. It’s what brought us here, and I imagine it also brought JLPP here, too. Today, we work closely with JLPP and their Executive Director, Tjiska Van Wyk. From the very beginning, we have been in this together. Five dollars from every ticket sold for a Broadway Under the Stars show goes to supporting the park. After this current season, I estimate we will have given back $350,000 to Jack London State Historic Park. With this and other donations, JLPP

has done an incredible job revitalizing the park and making it a place people want to come back to.

I cannot count how many guests come to see a show and fall in love with the park. Many people who have lived in Sonoma their whole lives never set foot in the park until they come to one of our shows. Next thing you know, they’re bringing their families back to appreciate the beauty of the Jack London. Attendance goes up for both our shows and the park as a whole. Transcendence and JLPP have formed a symbiotic relationship I don’t think you’ll find in any other park in the world, or any other theatre company for that matter. We both want to see the park thrive, and I believe together with this amazing community we can do just that. I’m inspired to see how much we’ve grown in just six years. It’s a unique privilege to call Jack London State Historic Park home, and I look forward to the years to come.

–Brad Surosky

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Use Diffusers to Reap the BENEFITS OF ESSENTIAL OILS

If you’ve stopped by a health store recently, you’ve no doubt seen a huge selection of essential oils. These liquids, which contain concentrated, natural aroma compounds found in plants, are the basis of aromatherapy, one of the most popular trends in holistic health. Aromatherapy involves applying these oils to the skin or spraying them into the air. Skin application requires that you use diluted oils, because aromatic compounds are strong and can cause irritation. As a result of these concerns, many essential oil acolytes have turned to diffusers to get the benefits of aromatherapy in a safe, wonderful-smelling manner. In addition to filling your house with an all- natural, appealing perfume, aromatherapy has been touted as a way to help with everything from stress and insomnia to cognitive function and mood enhancement. To receive these benefits, you’ll need to pick up a diffuser and some oils. With so many options, though, how do you know which one is right for you? There is no shortage of methods to diffuse essential oils. Nebulizing diffusers don’t require any heat source, instead atomizing the essential

oils. They are extremely effective, but they are also large and expensive. Ultrasonic diffusers are similarly heatless, preserving the oils. This type of diffuser can also work as a humidifier, making it a valuable multitasker. Heat and evaporative diffusers are cheaper options, but they tend to alter oils or separate particles according to size. Once you decide on the best diffuser for your home, you need to select a few essential oils and put your new toy to use. Lemon oil is antibacterial and antiseptic, and will freshen your environment. Cinnamon oil can clear congestion and has a homey, autumnal scent. Eucalyptus oil is an air purifier, but its scent is strong and not for everybody. If you want to de-stress, try rosemary oil, which decreases your cortisol levels. Take note that you should alert your doctor before partaking in aromatherapy if you’re pregnant, nursing, or on any medication. While most essential oils are perfectly safe to diffuse, the compounds in certain oils can combine with medication and trigger adverse side effects. Once you begin diffusing, you’ll never go back to commercial, chemical scent sprays. The benefits are evident, and the results smell sweet.

MIRA’S MO CONTI Once, there was a girl named Mira. She and her little brother, Luke, were going to a Broadway camp. It had Broadway stars that had been in plays like “Wicked”! The stars were choreographing dance and singing routines for them that were going to be in a famous show that people from all over were coming to see. It was very expensive to get into the camp, so it was very nice for Mira and Luke’s grandma to pay for them and their two cousins. On the night of the performance, which was at Jack London State Park, everyone was super excited! It was evening, and it was boiling hot. Everyone was sweaty from the heat and from nervousness. The first act that the campers would be in was the dance and singing routine. The teenage campers were onstage first, but a third of the way through, the kid campers went onstage. The bright lights shining on them were too bright to see the audience, but it was so exciting that they didn’t care. When the song was over, their lungs were screaming from all the high- energy dancing and singing. Everybody was cheering and

STARS OFF STAGE

Four-Legged Friend Helps Spread the Word Linda Arons has been a Transcendence volunteer for four years now. She and her yellow lab, Mickie, help with community outreach. Linda often passes out Transcendence informational cards, sharing the story of our Big Dream. This past summer, she realized spreading the story of Transcendence would be a lot easier if she had some help. If you’ve been in Sonoma recently, you may have seen Mickie sporting a new jacket. “Mickie is the latest member of the Transcendence marketing team,” Linda says. “I designed a little jacket so he could carry the Transcendence cards and help me give them out. Now, when I meet someone, I ask, ‘Would you like one of Mickie’s cards?’ People love it!” Linda and Mickie spend their time around Sonoma Plaza or wander the bike path. They meet many people from out of town, and they’re happy to let them know all about Transcendence. They have met couples looking for a way to celebrate their honeymoon, tourists eager to do something fun the night before they leave town, and even Transcendence audience members who already look forward to the next show!

Since the beginning, volunteers have played an essential role in realizing the Transcendence dream. When it comes to volunteers, it’s safe to say ours are the best, whether they walk on two legs or four!

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PUMPKIN SOUP

T PRECIOUS MEMORY UED FROM PAGE 4 ... applauding. When the campers got off the stage, their hearts were pounding like giant drums, and they were breathing super hard. They sat back in their seats and watched the stars perform. They were amazing! They filled the stage with their music, their costumes, their dancing, acting, and, of course, their singing! It was breathtaking! It was like drinking a delicious Broadway smoothie. Soon, the sun dropped behind the mountains, and it was 9 p.m. It was time for the last act. The teenage campers got to go on stage for their ribbon dance to “Paint the Universe,” a new song written by one of the stars. The audience didn’t know it, but they had glow sticks taped to the bottom of their chairs, and the stars told them to take the glow sticks and wave them around. Meanwhile, the kid campers were lined up, glow sticks in hand, waiting. Then came the chorus of the song. The kid campers burst into the theater, streaming through the aisles, waving the glow sticks, and singing as loudly as they could! They felt so important and wished the night would never end. Then the music quieted, and the singing was just above a whisper. It was all so magical. The singing then stopped, and the piano was twinkling quietly. It seemed like everyone in the world was holding their breath. When the piano stopped playing, the lights turned off, and all everyone could see was the twinkling glow sticks fading into the night. That had done it. Luke was now sleeping peacefully (besides his foghorn snoring), and I could go to bed. I turned off the lights and walked into my room, still thinking about the memories. I climbed into bed. Maybe I would dream about memories.

INGREDIENTS

• 3 tablespoons coconut oil, ghee, light olive oil, or any fat of choice • 1 medium yellow onion, chopped • 1 medium apple, cored and chopped • 2 carrots, chopped • 2 cups broth, veggie or chicken

• 1½ cups pumpkin or winter squash puree • 2–3 sage leaves (whole) • ⅔ cup canned coconut milk • 2 tablespoons maple syrup (amount depends on apple and pumpkin sweetness; add to taste) • 2 teaspoons lime juice, to taste • Sea salt, to taste

INSTRUCTIONS 1. In a large saucepan, heat the oil/fat over medium heat. 2. Stir in onion, carrots, and apples. Sauté for 5–10 minutes until wilted and soft. 3. Stir in the broth, pumpkin, and sage leaves. Bring to a simmer. 4. Simmer for 15–20 minutes. 5. Remove the sage leaves. 6. Puree the soup (in batches if necessary) in your blender or food processor until creamy and no chunks remain. 7. Return to your saucepan and add the remaining ingredients. 8. Heat gently and adjust seasonings to taste.

Recipe courtesy of tessadomesticdiva.com.

“Ahhhh ...” I lay my head on my pillow, closed my eyes, and before I knew it, I was asleep.

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19201 SONOMA HWY #214, SONOMA, CA 95476 877-424-1414 • WWW.BESTNIGHTEVER.ORG

Inside This Issue

PAGE 1

Why Is Jack London Our Home?

PAGE 2

The Benefits of Essential Oils

PAGE 2

Stars Off Stage

PAGE 3

Pumpkin Soup

PAGE 4

Mira’s Most Precious Memory

MOST PRECIOUS MEMORY A KIDS CAMP BEDTIME STORY WITH MIRA

Kindness. Transformation. Honesty. Positive Impact. Transcendence can mean different things to different people, but these are the values we strive to embody in everything we do. You’ll find them in each show, each community outreach project, and in each session of the Transcendence Kids Camp — but especially the Kids Camp! Since year one, Kids Camp has been a fun, rewarding, and magical experience for teachers and campers alike. We could go on and on about what makes Kids Camp special, but wouldn’t it make more sense to let someone who has actually attended Kids Camp tell you about their experience? Without further ado, we’ve invited a special camper, 9-year-old Mira, to share her story about the time she helped her little brother fall asleep with bedtime stories about her favorite memories. Take it away, Mira!

Then, he yawned! Yes! He was tired! One more memory story ought to do it. Luke yawned again and rubbed his eyes.

“Now, do a precious-as-gold memory.” Luke pulled the covers up to his chin. I wanted to make this story the most special one. I reflected on one memory. It was one of my best, and it was way more precious than gold. I thought about it some more, and then, I began my story.

STORY CONTINUED INSIDE ...

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