BWW Blog: Nick Dalton of Transcendence Theatre's 'Broadway Under the Stars' - Oh, What a Night!

To quote Leslie Uggams, "June is bustin' out all over..all the lidda bidda dridges and they hucka the bejeepers..."

As we wrap up our opening weekend of the "OH, WHAT A NIGHT" concert here at Transcendence Theatre Company, I thought it would be a gnarly idea to share what makes Transcendence a different theatre experience for both the audience and we Artists. (I capitalize Artists because I believe it to be a proper noun.)

Let's start with the word "rebirth"...

Is every day a new day and a rebirth of opportunities for all of us to be better?

Yes!

Does every bodily cell regenerate every 7 years making us a different person?

Yes!

But that's not what I mean here...I mean more of a Renaissance of ideas.

At the end of our opening weekend of "OH, WHAT A NIGHT" we had an AWESOME post show party at the house of Ranger Pat (yes that is real) that culminated with our full company KUMBAYA-ing around a campfire telling horrible grandpa jokes. The reason was that our director Roy Lightner, who is also on the Musical Theatre faculty at Ithaca College, celebrated his 30th Bday. Were cells regenerated? Oh sure they were. But, Birthday's are always interesting after you turn 21 years old because it involves a lot of dreaming, recalling ridiculous stories from the year's past, and equating whether or not you are where you had hoped to be at this junction in your life. The reason I think its called "dirty 30" (which is probably open to interpretation) is because you look back at your 20s and look at the sometimes dirty process that brought you to where you are today, the choices you made and how you have lived your life.

And that, in many ways, is what Transcendence does as Art is created. (I use a capital A because I believe Art to be a proper noun.) At Transcendence, we focus on the entire process and experience---not just the product. Because if you focus on the process, the product will take care of itself. So if we re-imagine an iconic song by changing tempos and the interpretation of it, we are allowing for a rebirth for this song which vibrationally allows anyone in proximity to feel as though they are experiencing it for the first time all over again. Also, if we as artists are as healthy as we can be (emotionally, physically, spiritually) what does that do vibrationally to our Art as well? It is bringing humanity back to Art as opposed to simple bubble gum escapism. Art evokes an emotion. This is why Art is the most powerful weapon on the planet. (Tweet that!)

The reason I also used the term "rebirth" is because these are not new ideas, but ones that we have strayed away from in recent years. They are ideas we have as kids 'til people tell us that the process and creating isn't as important as what the final PRIZE is. We have once again started focusing on product and strayed from process as a society. We have been lied to about what is actually important and makes us happy. It was titled "play" because we must play and not worry about being "right" or "perfect", but being the best you can be in that moment. Its problem solving. That is what we did as a kid when we were inspired to pursue this "BIZ" called "SHOW". And one of the many gurus to inspire Transcendence in this way is Harold Clurman, the father of the Group Theatre.

The Group Theatre re-structured what at that point was theatre (primarily escapist reviews of lyrically vapid trunk songs and vaudeville remnants) and birthed Realism, which is the foundation most modern theatre and 99% of collegiate acting classes are based on. Some notable family members were the playwright Clifford Odets ("AWAKE AND SING" and "WAITING FOR LEFTY") as well as, ya know, Lee Strasburg and Stanislovsky... those hacks;)

Transcendence takes their model of collaboration between Artists---living in close proximity with nature and the community while blurring the lines of Director/Writer/Actor----and then flips it on its axis. Everything is discussed in a roundtable and everyone's opinion is equal. And that is the BEGINNING of the TRANSCENDENCE experience...collective artistic collaboration. Everything is "Yes, and..."

(FUN FACT: Nobody auditions for Transcendence, it is all through referrals.)

And now for a run down of show day info...

GENERAL INFO ON A TRANSCENDENCE SHOW

(The product that is an experience.)

All mainstage concerts take place in JACK LONDON STATE HISTORIC PARK inside the ruins of a winery that crumbled during the great earthquake of 1906. Famous writer/adventurer Jack London owned the original property of over 2000 acres that he called "Beauty Ranch," on which he wrote most of his novels ("WHITE FANG" being my childhood favorite) and began sustainable farming methods while dreaming of eventually establishing an Artists' colony. There is an orchard, a few lakes, and a 2000 year old Redwood Tree. After London's death, his family donated the property to the state in the 1970s. Transcendence then, through a series of serendipities, received the park as a performance space in 2011. There is so much more...but for now here is how a show night goes.

5:00: Doors open for Patrons to enter the State Park for a HUGE picnic. It happens between old barns in a huge field while we Artists wander about greeting patrons, selling merchandise, pouring wine, and demystifying the experience of what theatre is.

THERE ARE AT THE PICNIC---

*Different forms of live MUSIC (local bands) every night

*2-3 Food Trucks/Vendors (FARMER'S WIFE is my favorite)

*6-8 Different local wineries pouring their best vino for adults

7:15: Patrons are ushered into the ruins of the old winery next to Jack London's cottage. They then watch the concert as the sun sets behind the stage in front of the majestic Sonoma Mountains.

We begin every rehearsal and show with 4 deep breaths and inspirational quotes. So to close, I thought it only apt to share how we begin every concert...

Jack London's CREDO

I would rather be ashes than dust!

I would rather that my spark should burn out in a brilliant blaze than it be stifled by dry-rot.

I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me in magnificent glow, than a sleepy and permanent planet.

The function of man is to live, not to exist.

I shall not waste my days trying to prolong them.

I shall use my time.