The Transcendence Theatre Company is on a mission to integrate health and wellness into the arts. We are dedicated to the development of a holistic technique and theatrical model for the performing arts focused on the well-being of artists, groups of artists, and the communities they serve. We are dedicated to a five-phase project entitled "The Transcendence Theatre Project" in order to fulfill our goals for the future. The project has four main areas of focus: The development of a holistic technique for the performing arts which will include educational tools for children and adults to build a strong foundation for maximum creative potential and a healthy involvement in the arts. The creation of a holistic theatrical model that provides artists with the opportunity to create a true livelihood in the theatre. Establishing a solid foundation of the artist’s primary role within the theatre as one of a community voice, leader, inspirer, and activist. The establishment of more resident professional theatres inspired by The Transcendence Theatre Company and the promotion of our holistic technique world-wide. The Project’s mission will be fulfilled through five main phases of development: PHASE 1: The Transcendence Artist Project March-June 2009 Completed! CLICK HERE to see pictures, testimonials, and a summary of our project! PHASE 2: Project Knowledge March-April 2010 After we returned from our Transcendence Artist Project and began plotting our steps for the future, it became increasingly clear that we must take into consideration all aspects that affect the health of theatre artists. Health is more than just eating right, exercising, and cultivating positive thought. Health encompasses everything from financial stability to a work environment that allows one to have continuous artistic growth. It encompasses the relationships between individual artists, between artists and audiences, and between artists and the institutions from which they receive financial and artistic support. Therefore, in our quest for the optimum health of theatre artists, it is imperative for us to analyze the health of the infrastructure of American Theatre--the financial health of the business structures used to create art, the compensation and opportunity for artistic continuity of theatre artists, and the strength of the relationship between artists and communities. We have discovered that it is crucial that we start taking seriously the idea of not just providing work, but an actual livelihood for artists in the theatre. Without the opportunity of such a livelihood, the health of American Theatre and its artists is at stake. This calls for a new approach, a new paradigm, a new theatrical model. In March through April of 2010, the founding artists of our company will embark upon a two-month cross-country research tour to survey the state of the overall health of the American theatre and the lives and work of its artists.  We will be getting into motor homes and traveling across America to hold interviews and discussions with professional artists, theatre companies, arts administrators, educators, resident theatre pioneers, and those advocating change in the health of American Theatre. The project’s goal is to understand the sector more broadly and deeply, to promote a dialogue addressing the issues that affect the health of artists and institutions, and to build a network of mentors and arts advocates as well as an advisory council who will convene in the coming months to create the groundwork for a new experimental model which aims to improve the health of American theatre and its artists. There is already a great groundswell in the American Theatre landscape calling for change. It is our intention to unite these voices of the present, to learn from the voices of the past, and to embody the change we want to see in the future. The uniting of our voices will spark an excitement and set into motion an unstoppable momentum towards the possibility of TRUE CHANGE. The dynamic dialogue of our “Transcendence Talks” will include discussions focused on but not limited to the following topics: The seminal idea of a resident company of artists and its relationship to the overall health of artists. The company system was one of the founding principles of the regional theatre movement. It's aim was to establish resident companies of artists giving them job security, an honorable wage, health insurance, a continuity of work, and a true connection to a community. This ideal has largely been abandoned in the majority of American theatrical institutions.  We will research and gain knowledge from past and current companies examining the strengths and challenges of creating an artistic home for artists. The fiscal health of theatrical institutions and the compensation of theatre artists. We will address the dysfunctions of the current 501c3 Non Profit model as the sole means of funding for a theatre company while exploring new possibilities of for-profit and hybrid models. The decentralization of professional theatre artists and companies to improve geographic diversity within American Theatre. An assessment of the current health of the relationship between artists and the local communities they serve. A list of interviewees and tour stops for “Project Knowledge” will be announced in February 2010. Future Phases PHASE 3: Project Foundation May-December 2010 The specifics of Project Foundation will evolve based on the assessment of our research data from Project Knowledge. However, the current goals for Project Foundation are as follows: Locate a permanent space for our theatre company in a town decentralized from the major performing arts markets of Los Angeles and New York City. Build a board of directors and an advisory council of mentors that include artists, civic leaders, community members, arts advocates, and some of the world’s leading authorities on health, business, and theatre. Convene with our assembled advisory council to create the groundwork for the experimental model to be used during our company’s first season. Build a holistic health team that will work with our creative team to define and develop our holistic technique. Assemble our resident company of artists and staff, begin our first season, and launch a fundraising campaign that will bring our new model to life. PHASE 4: Project Discovery 2011-2013 It is estimated that Project Discovery will span at least two or three seasons while we implement, experiment upon, and revise our theatrical model. PHASE 5: Project Advancement 2014 and beyond Once our holistic model has been built and proven to be successful and sustainable, we will create plans for advancing our theatrical model throughout America.  We will also spread our holistic philosophies through the creation of educational tools, classes, and symposiums that teach our holistic technique to artists worldwide. http://www.transcendencetheatre.org/Transcendence_Theatre/Phase_1.htmlhttp://www.transcendencetheatre.org/Transcendence_Theatre/Phase_1.htmlshapeimage_1_link_0shapeimage_1_link_1

THE TRANSCENDENCE THEATRE PROJECT

http://www.transcendencetheatre.org/Transcendence_Theatre/Phase_1.html

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Amy Miller - LA Benefit Speech 2010