Transcendence Theatre - April/May 2018

BACKSTAGE TO KRISTIN #IPOSTI

With the current trend of getting TV, social media, and news alerts sent to our phones, we have access to more media than we could ever consume. While constant connectivity is a boon for many aspects of our lives, researchers are discovering that too much stimulation is cause for concern. One study in the Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology found that too much social comparison, spurred by the likes of Facebook and cable news, can lead to an increased risk of depression. If you find yourself pressured to live up to the public lives of friends and family, or if you feel like you’re being bombarded with too much news and entertainment, consider a media detox. A detox doesn’t require you to unsubscribe from social media services or unplug your TV forever. Instead, think of it as a vacation from the overstimulation so many of us experience. Ask yourself which aspects of your media diet are causing more stress than they’re worth, and take a break from them for a little while. “In the same way we think about what we eat, we should think about what we read, what we’re seeing, what we’re engaging in, and what we’re interacting with every day,” Emma Watson told CNN in an interview about her selective social media use. If you’re not mindful DO YOU NEED A MEDIA DETOX?

of your media consumption and participation, it tends to pile up. When you detox, it’s a lot easier to identify which parts of your media diet are essential and which are only a burden. Another benefit of a media detox is that you’ll have more time to pursue new and dormant hobbies. Because most of us consume media in small chunks throughout the day, it’s easy to overlook how much that time adds up. All those hours you spend on Facebook could be used to start a garden, knit a quilt, or join a soccer league. Unless you have an unlimited supply of leisure time (and who does?), you need to be selective in the way you spend it. Of course, coming to one of our shows is the perfect way to step away from social media and small screens. Broadway Under The Stars at Jack London State Historic Park is a great opportunity to get outside, enjoy the beauty of Sonoma Valley, and take part in an amazing evening of song and dance. Remember, media isn’t the cause of all your ills. Used mindfully, it can actually increase happiness and satisfaction. The problem is that we are so mired in the media muck that we can’t get a perspective on how much is too much. A detox will allow you to reassess the media you’re consuming and build a better plan for the future. You can still keep up with your family on Facebook, but it shouldn’t be the only way you interact with the world. Thomas, Daryl determined he still wanted to give back to the nonprofit community, and dedicates a substantial part of his practice to providing support to nonprofits. Daryl and his wife attended a Transcendence show some years ago, and shortly after, they were invited to an event we held for leaders in the community. It was here, after a wild scavenger hunt, that Daryl connected with Stephan Stubbins and asked how he could help us achieve our Best Life Ever dream. We were delighted to welcome him aboard, and are thrilled to have Daryl’s help in continuing to support this wonderful community. “I really connected with the work Transcendence does in creating a vibrant Sonoma community and with the people who create these wonderful shows. I knew early on this was the kind of organization I wanted to help.”

Kristin Piro and David R. Gordon are both talented artists who have been involved with Transcendence for many years. Most recently, Kristin was part of “The Ladies of Broadway” cast, and David sang our summer theme song, “Best Night Ever.” Transcendence can claim its fair share of matchmaking success, but Kristin and David actually began dating shortly before they joined our team. David heard about Transcendence from a friend, and Kristin was encouraged by our creative director, Tony Gonzalez, to give it a try. “Broadway is wonderful and booming, but at the end of the day, it’s all work and hustle,” Kristin says when talking about what draws her to Transcendence. “When you come to Sonoma and Transcendence, you find an artistically fulfilling experience. It’s such a great place to work.”

STARS OFFSTAGE

DARYL REESE, OUR CRACK LEGAL TEAM

It takes a lot of work to create the magic we bring to the stage, and occasionally that work requires some legal expertise.

We’re not lawyers — though we could play one on TV — so fortunately, we have the support of Santa Rosa attorney, Daryl Reese. Daryl provides Transcendence with legal aid for contracts, liability, and other litigation matters. After 20 years as the executive director of a nonprofit, Daryl made a career change and became an attorney. Currently practicing at the firm Johnston

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