Transcendence launches ‘Diverse Sonoma’

Events co-sponsored with La Luz set for July 26 and Aug. 12.|

Transcendence Theatre Company has developed a new summer theater initiative with the Latino community in Sonoma.

“In collaboration with La Luz Center, Sonoma’s primary Latino community center, we have created three points of engagement this summer geared toward inclusion of the Latino community within Sonoma,” said Transcendence co-executive director Brad Surosky.

As part of TTC’s community outreach program “Diverse Sonoma,” the La Luz Center engagement program has been created alongside the California Public Schools’ Department of Education’s Visual and Performing Arts Framework.

“These three engagement opportunities are the beginning of a multi-year strategic plan in welcoming the Latino community into the Transcendence audience,” said TTC community engagement and education director Nikko Kimzin. “As a theater company that resides in Sonoma County, we have an obligation to reflect and celebrate all of its diverse communities.”

“We are thrilled that Transcendence gave our Latino community kids an opportunity they would not otherwise have without the scholarships,” said La Luz Center’s board president Marcelo Defreitas.

The Transcendence engagement program includes a self-empowerment workshop entitled “Soy Yo,” (“It’s Me”) from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 26. Hosted at La Luz Center – Booker Hall, 17560 Greger St., the self-empowerment workshop serving approximately 30 students (ages 10 to 18) will explore self-empowerment through the celebration of individuality in voice and movement.

Transcendence Theatre Company has donated 200 tickets to the La Luz Center (with 100 tickets intended for children of La Luz families) for the Sunday, Aug. 12 performance of “Shall We Dance,” the third show of the company’s 2018 “Broadway Under the Stars,” season presented at Jack London State Historic Park in Glen Ellen.

The “Shall We Dance” 7:30 p.m. performance on Aug. 12 will include bilingual publicity material and bilingual curtain speeches made during the performance. Transcendence will feature Latino-owned food vendors, wine businesses and local Latino musicians at pre-show festivities beginning at 5 p.m. in the park’s vineyard and meadow.

Last month, Transcendence Theatre Company welcomed 12 youngsters from La Luz to its annual summer kids camp. La Luz students attended the week long summer program on full tuition scholarships and participated with 55 other students in the company’s iCreate program. La Luz participants (ages 8 to 17) received theatrical training, created music and art aimed at greater social impact and prepared and rehearsed to perform in the company’s “Broadway Under the Stars-Fantastical Family Night” musical on July 13 and 14. Thirty tickets were also donated to La Luz families to attend the opening night performance.

“It was truly a fantastical night being able to witness the proud look on the parents’ faces as they watched their children come out of their shells and show such self-confidence on stage,” said La Luz Center Community Engagement Manager, Angie Sanchez.

For further information on upcoming TTC shows visit bestnightever.com.

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