Guest Blogger: Libby Servais

As usual, this past week with the Transcendence Theatre Company has been yet another vivaciously exuberant one. Once again, we connected with tremendous sold out and full of life, audiences...but our final performance of "Music of the Night" was unlike any performance I've ever been a part of. Here in Sonoma, California, we had an intense earthquake (6.2 rating) at 3:23 A.M. on August 24th (the early morning of that show).This was the first earthquake I've ever experienced and it truly shook me to the core. In fact, I've never been so deeply terrified in my twenty some years of life. Our entire house was rocking back and forth, paintings were falling off the walls, large bookshelves were tipping over and of course the power went out. The only light I could see came from the terrifying explosions of electrical boxes bursting outside my bedroom windows. I could feel my heart racing and literally thumping out of my chest. The earthquake only lasted about 45 seconds but felt like 45 hours to me. In that short amount of time, I actually saw my entire life flash before me. In tears, I sat trembling and adrenalized, clutching my dog child, Pearl and boyfriend Stephan Stubbins and I realized how we cannot take a single moment on this Earth for granted. Life is so precious.

Along with the wonderful Broadway Under the Stars concerts that we have at TTC, we also had a tremendous week of other special events including our third Guest Artist concert, Inspiration Initiative Day and our final Skits Under the Stars night. All of these events happened on our days off from the Music of the Night concerts and I feel tremendously inspired by it all. Looking at my calendar this past week made me slightly nervous that I wouldn't have enough time to fit everything in but actually it was all accomplished and enjoyed at the same time. For me, this was an excellent reminder that we are all capable of taking on SO much more than our minds might normally think. There is not a single second to waste with all of life's beauty at our fingertips. That's truly how every delicious day is at TTC. Satisfyingly full.

After Ben Vereen's legendary show here at Transcendence Theatre Company, we TTC artists are continuously reflecting on the cherished wisdom and inspiration that Ben has left deeply rooted into our hearts. One moment in particular that I continue to think about is when I asked Ben if he was excited for his show and he replied with a gigantic grin and both hands in the air, 'I wake up excited! Everyday!' I also surrendered my hands into the air and said 'Me too!' And then I realized that I was standing outside a vineyard of grapes, giggling with Ben Vereen about how we must live each day to the fullest... Later he also shared with our company, 'Don't knock em' dead. They're already dead, knock em' into life!' Those epic words will stick with me forever. Basically, when I grow up, I want to be like Ben Vereen!

The Transcendence Theatre Company has had quite an exciting week so far. The artist's for the next Broadway Under the Stars concert, 'Music of the Night' have arrived and rehearsals are in full swing. The cherry on top of the week is having Broadway legend, Ben Vereen arrive at TTC! He will be performing his original show, 'Steppin' Out,' this Saturday August 9th at Jack London State Park in Sonoma, CA.

Another Openin, another show….or another 6 shows, rather!

'I would rather be ashes than dust! I would rather that my spark should burn out in a brilliant blaze than it should 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.' - Jack London

As Transcendence Theatre Company prepares to open "Fantastical Family Night" of the Broadway Under the Stars concert series, I wanted to let you in on some of the fun that we've been having. Along with leading an incredibly special Broadway Kids Camp that was more inspiring than I could ever have imagined (see previous blog), I've loved every second of making magic with this uniquely amazing group of TTC artists.

Broadway kids camp is well under way with Transcendence Theatre Company. The campers are an inspiring bunch of kids (ages 8-18) that are creating absolute magic together. Watching them discover and fly with their own artistic freedom is really special. They've been rehearsing choreography and music that they'll be performing with the adult TTC artist's this weekend in "Fantastical Family Night" of TTC's Broadway Under The Stars series. To start each day of camp we all gather and hold hands in a gigantic circle. One of our TTC artists leads us in a group activity to make sure everyone is aligned and ready for the day!

Today, we start rehearsals for our next concert of Transcendence Theatre Company's, Broadway Under the Stars season. I'm so excited to see all of the performers that arrived last night from NYC and LA!!! I have some close friends coming out to perform in this concert and and am of course excited for the new friends I'll be meeting! This concert will be our "Fantastical Family Night." It will also include the kids from our Broadway Kids camp….which I am SO EXCITED ABOUT! Needless to say, a lot has been going on here since our closing night of our first concert, "One Singular Sensation."

And so my summer in Magic Land begins….