BWW Blog: Rachel Louise Thomas of Transcendence Theatre - Gala Celebration

Rachel Louise Thomas - Transcendence September and the Gala Celebration

Good Day Broadway World and Happy....September?! I cannot believe how fast this summer of Transcendence has flown!May 20th, (when I touched down in Sonoma), feels like only a month ago, and yet it seems we've leapt up to the moon and back. This week we begin tech for our final main stage show, the Gala Celebration! Three more performances, three more nights to perform for hundreds of people and share the divine connection of Art and Nature, three shows more!! I couldn't be more grateful to be a part of the big dream! And now for a little recap of some of the latest and greatest:

Tuesday August 25th we celebrated our final Skits Under The Stars, which is our community open-mic night. It was another heart filled summer night, and the theme was "Around The World". There were many countries represented; as performers (after their skit), had a chance to "spin the globe" Harlem Globetrotter style, and upon blindly placing their finger on a destination, they could announce what country, mountain range, or body of water they would be traveling to. You see, a playful spirit is always "in" when it comes to the TIAs organizing these events-we just love being silly and embracing our inner child. Oh, and speaking of performances, every one of them was authentically awesome. And sung in other languages, we had an Italian aria, a German pub song, a love song from India, and all the way from Anatevka, a little "Matchmaker Matchmaker" performed (in English haha) by some of our kids campers. Inspired and deeply moved by a recent recording I heard in which Richard M. Sherman himself was the singer, I sang an acapella version of "It's a Small World". I also sang a little backup for the one and only Eric Jackson's adorable duet with his dad, "My Girl". The soaring Carrie Manolakos closed the night with "I Will Always Love You." Ain't that the truth-We love you Sonoma! There is so much extraordinary talent to match this extraordinary community...these community nights simply make my life. Community. That's what it's all about, right?

Thursday August 27th marked the Gala company orientation. It was immensely fun to reunite with so many Transcendence alumni and welcome in the "new blood" as well. I love this tribe! Rehearsals have been in full swing and I'm so excited to perform alongside these incredibly magical and diverse artists. A tapper myself, there are four in this show that particularly blow my mind: 1. She is not tapping in this show as she's the Associate Director/Choreographer-but enormously huge shout out to the one and only Molly Alvarez, who does the most amazingly fast and yet clear shuffle pickups I've ever seen/heard, and who is just all around talented. Also, she always tries to squeeze in a paradiddle or two for me in her choreo, which makes me feel good. 2. Returning for a fourth summer is the vibrant and versatile Stephanie Cadman-she sings, she taps, and she plays the fiddle while doing it. This combination literally makes me want to leap up to my feet and RiverDance my heart out. And she gives great hugs. And I love our little catch up chats. Need I say more? 3. And then there's Evan Ruggiero-another insane tap dancer, and might I say, one of the most inspirational people I've ever gotten to work with so far. Evan inspires me daily with his determination and joyful Energy. A few years back, he lost his leg to cancer. Yep. And he just kept on dancing through life. Literally. Evan is known worldwide as the "one legged tapper"; but to me, who he is as a survivor is even more. He is such a hard worker and filled with positive energy-Love and Life is bursting through his veins. You cannot leave his presence without feeling brighter! 4. Shannon O' Bryan-my fellow TIA and the real life Cathy Selden. When I watch Shin-Shan (yes my nickname for her, duh) tap, these words come to mind: Timeless, Graceful, Quickstep, Captivating, Present.

Saturday August 29th marked The Red and White Ball, a huge fundraiser for the Sonoma Valley Education Foundation. We The TIAs (Transcendence Integrative Artists) had the honor of performing for these generous donors! We also had the great pleasure of performing with some of our kids campers; and one of their original songs they wrote this summer called "From The Bottom Of Our Hearts." Lyrics filled with Gratitude and the phrase "Thank You" sung over and over. A melody line that could be Taylor Swift's new anthem. Yes. All the feels indeed. These kiddos continuously teach me to be fearless. They just go for it, no questions asked. I am so proud of their hard work and professionalism throughout!

As Transcendence Theatre Company's summer season of 2015 wraps up, I'd just like to express my utmost Gratitude to all of you have taken the time to read our blogs! Keep Dreaming Big. Write down your dreams and ideas. Draw them. Talk about them. Pray on them. Invent them. Believe in them. Your Creativity and Visions are needed. All my best, Rachel

P.S.-"If you keep on believing, the dream that you wish will come true!" (Disney)

"Ounce by ounce, putting it together. Small amounts, adding up to make a work of art!" (Sondheim)