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Best Life Ever TRANSCENDENCE THEATRE COMPANY
AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2018 877-424-1414 | BESTNIGHTEVER.ORG
GIVE BACK THE VALUE OF OUR VOLUNTEERS
Before every Transcendence show, artists and volunteers gather, hold hands, and take part in what we call “Circle Up.” It is a few minutes when all of us can align and connect before the show. We focus on a word of the day, like “community” or “persist.” We select artists or volunteers to read a few quotes about the word of the day. Then Circle Up concludes with me reciting Theodore Roosevelt’s “The Man
premium seats so they can sit together and enjoy the show. We have similar projects with residents of Sweetwater Spectrum, which serves adults with autism, and a program with Catholic Charities of Santa Rosa that provides help to homeless families. Our Director of Community Engagement, Nikko Kimzin, is spearheading a new project with the La Luz Center here in Sonoma. It provides
in the Arena” speech. This tradition gets everyone energized and in the right mindset before the show. The first Circle Up took place before our one-night show in October 2011. We had about eight people in the circle. These days, our circle is made up of 50–60 people, a majority of whom are volunteers.
scholarships to 12 kids from Latino families to attend our week-long Broadway Kids Camp and includes tickets for their parents to come see their show.
Brad Surosky
Our volunteer force is 350 strong, and the passion they have for our cause is staggering. Team Transcendence helps everywhere possible at our shows. They’re helping get cars parked in the lots, checking in guests at the box office, pouring wine, driving golf carts for those with accessibility needs, helping people find their seats at showtime, and ensuring that everyone at the show has that Best Night Ever. Volunteers are the heartbeat of our organization. We literally couldn’t “EACH PERFORMING ARTIST, CREW MEMBER, AND STAFF MEMBER WHO IS A PART OF TRANSCENDENCE IS REQUIRED TO PARTICIPATE IN OUR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PROJECTS.” do it without them. I believe the reason people want to volunteer with Transcendence is because they are proud of what we have built together. People love the shows and they love the energy, but they are also proud of the way we give back to the community. By the end of this summer, we will have donated over $400,000 to Jack London State Historic Park. When the fires broke out in October 2017, Transcendence artists helped raise over $30,000 for fire relief efforts. The financial support we’ve been able to provide over the years has been outstanding. Beyond that, though, there are other ways Transcendence gives back that a lot of people don’t know about — things you can’t put a price tag on. This summer, we started a project with the Boys and Girls Club of Sonoma Valley, where we bus 50 kids to our shows throughout the summer. We provide them with a picnic dinner, conduct a mini workshop with the performing artists before the show, and donate
I’ll be honest; organizing these projects alongside our shows and events is a big challenge. There aren’t many theater companies who prioritize volunteer work and community engagement. But Amy, Stephan, and I believe it is so important to give back to the community we call home. I have been a performer for a long time, and part of the job is selling yourself. You have to always be pushing to get that next audition because that’s your livelihood. But that mentality can lead to a very me-oriented way of thinking. Giving back by cleaning up beaches, saving a state park, or working with kids or adults helps reprioritize your life. It reminds you that an artist isn’t up on stage just to make a paycheck — they have a responsibility to inspire the audience and make a positive impact on people. We’re not alone in our community projects. All Transcendence performing artists, crew members, and staff are required to participate in our community engagement projects. What’s really cool is that everyone involved wants to give back — it is the kind of people they are. Everyone who is involved with Transcendence, from artists to volunteers, empowers us to accomplish so much. We are incredibly proud of the support we receive, whether it’s a financial donation, time from volunteers, or new programs with our community partners.
The magnitude of what we do is not lost on us. We are very lucky, and it is incredibly special.
–Brad Surosky
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BACKSTAGE TOUR NIKKO KIMZIN EMPOWERMENT AND LOVE THROUGH COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
If you attended “Another Openin’ Show” in the 2017 Broadway Under the Stars performance, you likely remember Nikko Kimzin’s incredible performance of “My Shot” from the musical “Hamilton.” This summer, Nikko has taken on a greater role as Director of Community Engagement, Kids Camp, and Intern Program. It’s a big change, but once you get to know the kind of person Nikko is, it’s plain to see he’s not one to throw away his shot to truly get involved with Transcendence. Nikko first joined Transcendence last year after being invited by longtime friend Madeline Spencer, our Company Manager and Operations Coordinator. He loved spending the summer performing in our wonderful community and has said on more than one occasion that Sonoma looks like heaven on earth. When the devastating fires raged through Northern California last fall, Nikko was already back in New York. Despite being 3,000 miles away, he knew he needed to help. With the support of other Transcendence artists, Nikko produced the Sonoma Strong Broadway Benefit Concert in New York City and raised money for fire relief in our community.
This isn’t the first time Nikko has mobilized the troops. His dynamic, commanding personality drives him to dig deeper for an important cause. Several years ago, Nikko started Epoch Creative NYC, a nonprofit dedicated to giving artists of color a platform to showcase their talents. Epoch Creative NYC has helped many artists realize their dream and helped create a number of amazing projects including comedic shorts, webseries, videos, podcasts, and a sitcom pilot to be pitched to major networks. “When you’re a person of color in musical theater, you get put in a box,” Nikko says. “Three years ago, I grew out of that box. I didn’t want to do a seventh production of “West Side Story” or be some guy named Pablo who just stands in a corner. Rather than wait for the industry I love to change, I decided to take it into my own hands and make those changes myself.” This is exactly the special sort of passion and drive that has helped Transcendence thrive. Eager to bring this energy to Sonoma full time, Brad and Amy invited Nikko to be our Director of Community Engagement, Kids Camp, and Intern Program. It was a responsibility he was happy to accept.
As Nikko’s long title implies, he always has a full plate. But he says, “When you love what you do, it’s never work.” And love is something Nikko aims to bring front and center. His first mission was to identify ways for Transcendence to love on Sonoma. He believes it’s important to find the heart of what makes Sonoma unique and make sure that is reflected in the theater experience. Among other projects, like transforming our Kids Camp, Nikko has spearheaded engagement events with the La Luz Center. These events aim to encourage young people in Sonoma’s Latino community to release their inner creator, experience “I am so excited to be here,” Nikko says. “I’m passionate about bringing a more diverse audience to Transcendence, and knowing people like Amy, Brad, and Stephan are also passionate about that lets me know I’m in good company. I’m eager to learn what makes Sonoma tick and how Transcendence can step in and really honor the community we live in.” opportunities in theater, and find empowerment through diversity.
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STARS OFFSTAGE OUR TEAM MOM, SUSAN HOEFFEL
Five years ago, Susan Hoeffel was invited to attend a community engagement event where Amy, Brad, and Stephan were speaking to guests about Transcendence. Having just seen a Transcendence show the previous summer, Susan was intrigued and wanted to learn more. Afterward, Susan was eager to show her support. “I had a very left-brained career in business finance,” Susan explains. “I enjoyed my job, but I didn’t have many
Susan and her husband, Jan, became housing sponsors and provided Transcendence artists from LA and New York a place to stay while they were in town. After a few years, the Hoeffels signed up to be Legacy Donors, a group of our most committed donors who provide ongoing support. Today, Jan is a member of our Advisory Council and Susan our Board Chair. Present at every event Transcendence hosts, Susan is one of our biggest supporters and cheerleaders. Bringing the kind of steadfast support most theater companies can only dream about, Susan has become something of a team mom to us. She is dedicated to staying the course in regard to our mission of helping everyone live their Best Life Ever and is willing to do whatever she needs to do to make it happen. Susan has jumped in to help at every opportunity, always willing to call ticket holders and regularly bringing innovative ideas that help us go beyond every day. Not to mention all the nice things she says about us. “Seeing the work Amy, Brad, Stephan, and all the artists put into each show inspires me,” says Susan. “I love seeing how they top each show year after year, and I look forward to seeing what they’ll do next!”
opportunities to tap into my right-brained artist side. In my early years, I was a dancer, and that was something I missed. Transcendence really inspires that part of my brain; they speak to my heart.”
GREEN BEAN AND SESAME SALAD
HAVE A LAUGH!
If you need an easy, healthy side dish with plenty of flavor, this green bean salad will be the perfect addition to your summer menu.
INGREDIENTS
• 3 cups green beans, ends trimmed • 1 teaspoon white wine vinegar
• 1 small red onion, finely chopped • Small bunch of fresh mint • Small bunch of flat-leaf parsley • Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 tablespoon olive oil • 2 tablespoons sesame seeds, toasted
DIRECTIONS 1. Bring a large saucepan of water to boil; cook green beans for 4–5 minutes; drain well. 2. In a blender, mix finely chopped mint and parsley with olive oil, vinegar, salt, and pepper. Blend until combined. 3. Add dressing, onion, and sesame seeds to beans. Toss together. Cool dish, then refrigerate until ready to serve. Inspired by Delicious magazine BESTNIGHTEVER.ORG | 3
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19201 SONOMA HWY #214, SONOMA, CA 95476 877-424-1414 • BESTNIGHTEVER.ORG
Inside This Issue
PAGE 1
How We Spend Our Time
PAGE 2
Love for Sonoma
PAGE 3
Speaking to the Heart
PAGE 3
Green Bean and Sesame Salad
PAGE 4
The Origins of ‘Break a Leg’
THE ORIGINS OF ‘BREAK A LEG’
If you’ve ever come to one of our shows, or any theater performance in general, odds are you’ve heard the term “break a leg” and maybe even used it to wish performers good luck. It may seem odd, but in the theater world, saying “good luck” is actually considered bad luck. There are numerous ideas about the origin of the phrase. One story says spirits wreak havoc on your wishes and make the opposite happen. Another comes from ancient Greece, where the audience didn’t clap but instead stomped their feet to show appreciation. If the audience stomped long enough, they would break a leg. Some say the term originated during Elizabethan times when, instead of applause, the audience would bang their chairs on the ground — and if they liked it enough, the leg of the chair would break. The most common theory refers to an actor breaking the “leg line” of the stage. In the early days of theater, this is where ensemble actors were queued to perform. If actors were not performing, they had to stay behind the “leg line,” which also meant they wouldn’t get paid. If you told the actor to “break a leg,” you were wishing them the opportunity to perform and get paid. The sentiment remains the same today; the term means “Good luck, give a good performance.”
No matter which version you choose to believe, well-wishes are always appreciated. If you happen to see one of our performers around town or at Jack London State Historic Park, be sure to tell them, “Break a leg!”
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