Leadership + Staff

Amy is proud to have founded Transcendence Theatre Company with her husband Brad Surosky. For the past 14 years she has served as Artistic Director & on the Board of Directors.  Amy is immensely grateful to all who have contributed to making the vision of Transcendence a reality.  

In 2014, Amy was honored as one of the North Bay Business Journal’s “Forty Under Forty” for excellence in vision, leadership, and community outreach. Under her guidance, Transcendence has won over 50 Broadway World San Francisco Awards including “Theatre Company of the Decade” & “Arts Educator of the Decade”.  Additionally, Amy was named “Director of the Decade” for Transcendence’s 2019 Inaugural Musical “A Chorus Line.” In 2018, Amy envisioned “Transcendence For All” with a goal of uniting our communities while making Transcendence more available to all.  Amy graduated Summa Cum Laude from Otterbein College & holds a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre with a concentration in musical theatre, dance, & theatre education.  She appeared on Broadway and in the First National Tour of 42nd Street (u/s Anytime Annie). Select TV/Film credits include the Newsroom, Law & Order Los Angeles, and 20+ National TV Commercials. Amy is well known across the world for being in the hit You-Tube Video, “The Best Wedding Toast Ever”, which has been featured in the New York Times. She is happily married to Executive Director Brad Surosky and relocated to Sonoma a decade ago, with their dog Junior, to build Transcendence Theatre Company into a nationally recognized regional theatre that will inspire generations of audiences from around the world.  Amy’s greatest role is Mom to her 2 year old son, Micah William Surosky.

Brad Surosky is a founder of Transcendence, believes art is service, and has dedicated the past 14 years to bringing the vision of Transcendence Theatre Company to life. In 2017, Brad was honored as one of the North Bay Business Journal’s “Forty Under Forty” for excellence in vision, leadership, & community outreach. Under his guidance, Transcendence has grown into a nationally recognized non-profit recently named “Theatre Company of the Decade” by Broadway World San Francisco. In addition, Transcendence has won over 50 Broadway World San Francisco Awards, been recognized as USA Today’s Outdoor Concert Venue that Shouldn’t be Missed in the US, and honored as a “Champion for Children of the Arts” by the 4 C’s of Sonoma County. 

Since 2012, Brad has produced every Transcendence production which has inspired over 250,000 people at Jack London State Historic Park and around the North Bay.  During the pandemic, Transcendence pivoted to create the “Best Night Ever Online’ Season that was seen by over 100,000 people world-wide. He is also proud that Transcendence has inspired the community through countless arts education programs & over 136 community outreach projects.  Brad is a Baltimore, Maryland native and holds a B.F.A. in Drama from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts. He has performed off-Broadway, in regional theatre, films, television and commercials.  Brad is incredibly fortunate to be married to Transcendence’s Artistic Director, Amy Miller, and has loved living in Sonoma for the past decade with his 2 year old son Micah and the best dog ever, Junior. Brad dedicates the 2022 Season in her loving memory.

Alli is returning for her fifth summer with Transcendence. With a degree in Women’s and Gender Studies from Sonoma State, she has spent the past 18 years serving under-resourced and marginalized people in this community, including underage and adult victims of human trafficking and LGBTQIA+ folks. She enjoys the bounty that Sonoma County has to offer and is looking forward to spending the summer in our perfect park. TPWK.

Having spent the last 17 years living in Sonoma County, Bryan is entering his 4th year working full-time with Transcendence. Amongst the many enthralling wineries, parks and beautiful locales of the North Bay Bryan also enjoys spending his time traveling and writing when he is not occupied with the community engagement and fiduciary responsibility that accompanies his role with Transcendence. Bryan also enjoys gardening and letting his 11 year-old cat, Grigio, roam the vineyards.

Brett is an executive search consultant, talent acquisition partner, and network. Since 2010, his firm Brett Fisher Group has successfully placed top talent from management to C-Level with backgrounds in accounting, finance, sales, and marketing across many industries.  Long before Brett interviewed candidates for his clients, he auditioned musicians and performers for live theatrical productions, which he conducted and produced. Live theatre has always been a passion for Brett, having received his undergraduate degree in Music at UCLA, MBA from Pepperdine University, and having produced his first production in 2000. Brett’s depth of experience in building teams (both on and off stage) comes from working in two different non-profit organizations prior to forming BFG. Brett was Producer and Managing Director for Santa Monica Civic Light Opera (2002 to 2006), bringing two summer tours to Avalon’s Casino Theatre on Catalina Island and General Manager for Rubicon Theatre Company in Ventura, CA (2006-2007). Since 2010 Brett has collaborated with Transcendence on developing their business office and has been an active business project consultant and serves as their Board Treasurer.  Brett resides in Thousand Oaks, CA with twins Ella and Ethan (who attended the first Broadway Under the Stars in 2012), and younger son Brayden.

Clara Franco has been practicing Public Relations for arts and entertainment, and nonprofit organizations in the Bay Area since 2005. She started her career in television production for well-known networks such as E!, NBC, and FOX. Her experience includes working on a variety of reality-based TV shows such as The Anna Nicole Show, The Apprentice, and Nanny 911. Clara brings a comprehensive knowledge of media, production, and cultural sensitivity to her work. Born in El Salvador and raised in Petaluma, CA, Clara is bilingual, fluent in both English and Spanish and uses this asset in her work with Latino and Hispanic media and clients. Clara’s public relations work with nonprofits includes The Mountain Play Association, The Mill Valley Film Festival, Lily’s Legacy Senior Dog Sanctuary, The Mill Valley Chamber Music Society, ICB Artists, and Girl Scouts of Northern California. She has also worked to promote several large-scale events including Oktoberfest By The Bay, Marin County Fair, Radio City Rockettes Tour, and The Mill Valley Wine, Beer, and Gourmet Food Festival. 

Dina’s thrilled to be with Transcendence.  Her career in non-profit management includes leadership roles at California Lawyers for the Arts, B Street Theatre, Voices in Harmony, and New Israel Fund.  She enjoys being a mediator, freelancer, and volunteer and was a Blue Ribbon Commissioner for the establishment of a Sacramento County Women’s Commission.  Before getting an MBA (non-profit), Dina spent a decade acting.  Her radio documentary, Dina’s Diary – Journey of a Cancer Survivor won national radio journalism awards.

Brian, commonly referred to as Jenks, is grateful to be a part of the beautiful Sonoma Valley.  He is originally from Fairfax, California but his family have proudly called Sonoma home for over 20 years.  When he is not designing things for Transcendence, he is either spending time with family or friends, hiking, cooking, reading or wishing he was scuba diving.  Huge love for my family, who are truly the center of my orbit.

Colin Campbell McAdoo is proud to be returning to Transcendence Theatre Company this summer not only as a performer but also as the head of the summer intensive camp and coordinator for TTC’s community outreach. Colin has sung around the world from Carnegie Hall to The Sydney Opera house With The Philadelphia Boys Choir and Choral. He has also performed with the countless symphonies all over the country with pops shows he helped create. Most recently, he was seen in the symphony tour of Guys And Dolls playing Benny Southstreet. Some Off Broadway Credits include: We The People at The Lucille Lortel Theatre; Soul Doctor at New York Theatre Workshop; Heart to Hart at Lincoln Center. Regional credits include: Ogunquit Playhouse, The Media Theatre, LTOTS, MSMT, Weston Playhouse, The Weathervane Theatre, The Mountain Playhouse, FOGG Theatre. He appeared as Woody in Disney’s Toy Story The Musical and has been seen in multiple shows on Norwegian Cruise Lines at sea as a swing. He has been the Associate Artistic Director of the musical theatre program at The Benchmark Middle School for the past 12 years and is also a musician, singer/songwriter. Shout out to his friends, family, and the Sonoma 

Kent has created innovative, specialized marketing and press campaigns for touring Broadway, variety and family productions since 1999. He holds an MBA in Marketing from Purdue University and studied music and biology at the University of Alabama. An active musician, he plays the bassoon and sings occasionally in a variety of venues. His favorite part of working ‘on the road’ is traveling (he counts Tokyo, Japan as his favorite ‘advance trip’!) and knowing the special people in our industry. See you soon!

Steve can’t wait for his 9th season with Transcendence to start. His new position as the Wine Coordinator after 7 years as a full-time volunteer captain will allow him to interact with patrons, volunteers and winery sponsors more closely, which he finds both rewarding and fun. When not working, Steve can be found sipping Pinot Noir, making pizza in his wood-fired pizza, and traveling the world.

Malloy Schaffner is the Marketing Communications Coordinator at Transcendence Theatre Company with over 15 years of theatre and acting experience. Born in Healdsburg, California, Malloy was highly active in his community and local government from a young age and attended California State University – Sacramento with a focus on Mass Communications and Marketing. After work, you can often find Malloy outdoors: at the redwoods, the coast, or killing time at San Francisco’s hotspots.

I have been passionate and immersed in the theatre world since high school. I am a graduate of Sonoma State University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Technical Theatre and Theatre Management. I look forward to the continued opportunities and growth within my role at Transcendence Theatre Company. I am particularly passionate about the impact that music and theatre can bring to the younger generations in our community. I hope to make an impact in their lives creatively in the same way my life was impacted by the arts.

Matt Smart (Music Supervisor) Recent credits include A Christmas Carol, SF Tour (Music Director); Hamilton, And Peggy tour (Asst. Conductor, Keyboard 2). Matt has worked with Michael Feinstein, Michael Tilson Thomas, Bonnie Raitt, Alex Lacamoire, among others. A Bay Area native, he has degrees in music from Pomona College and Butler University and is very active as a teacher, composer, music director, performer, and music producer.

Amanda M. Stuart has worked on and off for Transcendence since the summer of 2013 wearing many different hats for the company from Events Manager to Stage Manager.  She is currently an Artistic Associate and works part time remotely from NY. As a professional AEA Stage Manager, Amanda is currently the Assistant Stage Manager of the new Off-Broadway Musical Harmony.  National Tours: Mean Girls and The Phantom of the Opera, where she had the honor of being part of the closing company of The 25th Anniversary Tour after 8 years on the road!  Off-Broadway: Jersey Boys.

Colleen has been a part of the Transcendence family since 2017. She has worked as a Stage Manager for a number of Broadway Under the Stars concerts, Broadway Holiday Spectaculars and special events. She is currently working as Company Manager remotely from NY and in person during the season. Colleen holds a Bachelors of Arts in Theatre Arts from Flagler College in St. Augustine, FL.

Leesa moved to Sonoma from the Central Coast of California 11 years ago to help make the dream of Transcendence come to life. She loves being part of the Transcendence team and family, and is proud to make this community her home. Leesa always looks forward to meeting our patrons at the park, and strives to make your experience the best ever! She loves this company and is super excited about the shows this summer! Go Team Skittles!

Shawna is so grateful to be working with the wonderful Company of Transcendence. She came to Sonoma to wait out the pandemic with her sister, and decided to make this beautiful community her home. She has two grandkids she is always willing to tell you about, and serious bragging rights on a couple of amazing daughters. Shawna comes from a musical theatre background and has worked in theatre and video production for most of her adult life. She is happy to be working with her sister and best friend in the box office, and always finds it entertaining when you can’t tell our voices apart. Shawna is looking forward to this summer and excited that we can all be together safely again!

Susan Hoeffel was born in Texas and came to the San Francisco Bay Area as a child.  After earning a BA from the University of California at Berkeley, she began her professional career in the financial services industry holding executive level positions at an NYSE financial services company, The Bank of California, and SEI Investments Co, a leading public financial and technology services firm. There she earned the designation of Certified Financial Planner (CFP), Registered Representative and Registered Principal with FINRA. After moving to Sonoma in 2004, Susan has been affiliated with Sonoma Valley Rotary Club, its President in 2015-2016. She was on the board of Sonoma Valley Fund and is a member of its Advisory Council.  Besides being a director of the board at Transcendence Theatre Company, she is also a member of the various Committees of the board. She and her husband are donors and housing sponsors at Transcendence and partners in Deerfield Ranch Winery in Kenwood.

A native of South Carolina, Harriet Derwingson moved to San Francisco after college where she began her career and attended graduate school.  Her professional background is in the telecommunications industry in the areas of public affairs, government relations, strategic planning and marketing.  After a number of years in San Francisco, she became a full-time Sonoma resident in 1998.  In Sonoma, Harriet joined the founding board of Sonoma Valley Museum of Art and was the 3rd President. She joined the founding board of Sonoma Valley Fund, the local affiliate of Community Foundation Sonoma County, and served as the 2nd President. She also served as board member and Board Chair for the parent organization, Community Foundation Sonoma County.  In addition, she was a member of the Women’s Health Center Advisory Board for Sonoma Valley Hospital, a recipient of the Hospital Foundation’s Celebration of Women Pulse Award, a founding member of Impact100, an advisor to the Sonoma International Film Festival, and is a Master Gardener.  In addition to Transcendence Theatre Company, she currently serves on the board of Sonoma Valley Museum of Art.  In other communities, Harriet was active in numerous business, educational, civic and cultural groups, including Chair of the Sacramento Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce; Chair of Pride Industries (Roseville, CA), which creates jobs for developmentally disabled adults; Chair of the Crocker Art Museum; boards of Los Rios Community College Foundation, United Way of Sacramento, Sacramento Ballet and Napa Valley College Foundation, among others.  Harriet holds degrees from the University of South Carolina and University of San Francisco, and attended advanced executive education programs at the University of Michigan’s Graduate School of Business Administration and the Wharton School.

In 2018, Andrew Koenigsberg stepped in to support Transcendence by managing the business office. He has been assisting organizations transform their business operations for over 25 years through mindful implementation of financial, human resource and payroll initiatives through the use of information technology and organizational change management practices. Among his significant accomplishments include the founding and continued leadership of two successful management consulting firms serving clients ranging from the Fortune 500 to large state governments. He also enjoys serving as a thought leader and coach to his executive clients with an authentic style that focuses on achieving success through strategy.  Andrew hails originally from New York where he fell in love with musical theater from a very young age. He and his husband Rob have lived in Sonoma Valley for ten years, and he is absolutely honored and humbled to have this opportunity to serve Transcendence Theatre Company in this capacity.

Amy Miller is proud to have founded Transcendence Theatre Company with her husband, Brad Surosky. For the past 14 years she has served as Artistic Director & on the Board of Directors.  Amy is immensely grateful to all who have contributed to making the vision of Transcendence a reality. 

In 2014, Amy was honored as one of the North Bay Business Journal’s “Forty Under Forty” for excellence in vision, leadership, and community outreach. Under her guidance, Transcendence has won over 50 Broadway World San Francisco Awards including “Theatre Company of the Decade” & “Arts Educator of the Decade”.  Additionally, Amy was named “Director of the Decade” for Transcendence’s 2019 Inaugural Musical “A Chorus Line.” In 2018, Amy envisioned “Transcendence For All” with a goal of uniting our communities while making Transcendence more available to all.  Amy graduated Summa Cum Laude from Otterbein College & holds a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre with a concentration in musical theatre, dance, & theatre education.  She appeared on Broadway and in the First National Tour of 42nd Street (u/s Anytime Annie). Select TV/Film credits include the Newsroom, Law & Order Los Angeles, and 20+ National TV Commercials. Amy is well known across the world for being in the hit You-Tube Video, “The Best Wedding Toast Ever”, which has been featured in the New York Times and Time Magazine. She is happily married to Executive Director Brad Surosky and relocated to Sonoma a decade ago, with their dog, Junior, to build Transcendence Theatre Company into a nationally recognized regional theatre that will inspire generations of audiences from around the world.  Amy’s greatest role is Mom to her 2 year old son, Micah William Surosky.

Presently, Alain Piallat is a consultant to the Hotel Industry specializing in Asset Management and Hotel Development in France and in the United States.  Prior to retiring, Piallat was President of Marriott Hotels of Canada and Senior Vice President of Marriott Lodging in the Midwestern part of the US. In these capacities, he was responsible for the management of some 350 hotels under different brand names. He guided the development of Revenue, Sales & Marketing strategies required to maximize sales and profits in these various businesses.  His background also includes extensive operational experience in Food & Beverage, Catering and Rooms Operations. That background has enabled him to proactively redefine the norms of an economic model designed to maximize profitability within hotel operations. He has also held the position of Area Vice President Marriott International in Northern California and,  as such,  was an architect of the Market Management Organization, a matrix type of organizational structure. Prior to holding these positions, Piallat was General Manager and Opening General Manager of several large convention hotels in the US. He also opened and managed the first Meridien Hotel in the United States. Through these experiences, he has developed a thorough understanding of day-to-day operations in a way that carefully balances style, customer satisfaction and return on investment. During his career, Piallat served as Chairman of the San Francisco Convention & Visitors Bureau. He was on the Board of Directors of Junior Achievement International, served as a member of the Board of Directors for the Hotel School of Management at Michigan State University and was member of the Advisory Board of the School of Hospitality at Guelph University in Ontario, Canada.

Since Fabiola Sotomayor started in the luxury travel industry 16+ years ago and her passion and love for travel has continued to grow. Fabiola began her career with Starwood in Los Cabos, Mexico. Fabiola possesses a strong sales foundation and level of work ethic that she attributes to her experience with luxury brands including Hidden Doorways and Montage and Four Seasons in Beverly Hills. Having represented hotels, resorts, destinations and islands around the globe, her passion for creating unforgettable experiences for her clients and guests has built her reputation, credibility and visibility in the luxury leisure sales world. Fabiola loves nurturing long lasting relationships with her clients based on a strong work ethic and genuine care to provide a seamless and memorable experience.  Her love for travel began when on planned family vacations in Mexico, Canada, the United States and Europe. Fabiola is fluent in Spanish, English and conversational Italian and considers herself an eternal optimist and a citizen of the world. After moving from Italy to San Francisco where she worked for San Francisco Travel representing the city of San Francisco, she and her husband moved to Santa Monica, California where Fabiola worked for Montage and most recently spent three years on the pre-opening and post-opening team at Four Seasons Napa Valley.  Fabiola moved to Kailua in Oahu, Hawaii in the Summer of 2021 with her husband, daughter and two dogs. During their spare time, she loves taking advantage of the beautiful beaches on the island and staying active with her family and friends exploring the North Shore and Kailua. Fabiola is very excited to join the newly re-imagined Turtle Bay Ohana on its 50th year anniversary!

Jonathan Soh, licensed real estate broker and Vice President – Brokerage Manager of Sotheby’s International Realty’s Wine Country offices, is responsible for the growth and success of its agents in the ever-changing and unique real estate landscape. Capitalizing on over 25 years of experience in real estate lending and sales, he provides transactional guidance to an impressive roster of agents.  He found his niche in Wine Country real estate working for a firm in Sonoma, CA, where he was mentored by brokers who taught him the importance of customer service and meticulous transaction management. His real estate career quickly developed to encompass residential, commercial, and agricultural sales. Jonathan joined Sotheby’s International Realty in 2007, where luxury real estate was synonymous with service, integrity, innovation, and style.  Jonathan regularly spends time in the field so he can advise his agents on completing transactions in diverse areas ranging from Napa to Sonoma Valley to The Sea Ranch. Jonathan’s ability to embrace new technologies and foster agents who work both remotely and in-house, creates a culture where agents and their clients can thrive – wherever they are located.  Jonathan holds a B.S. from the University of Colorado Boulder, where he studied business and journalism, and earned an MBA from the University of Minnesota, Carlson School of Management. He was raised on the island of Oahu, Hawaii and now calls the San Francisco North Bay home. He is an active participant in the community and lifestyle that is Wine Country.

Brad Surosky is a founder of Transcendence, believes art is service, and has dedicated the past 14 years to bringing the vision of Transcendence Theatre Company to life. In 2017, Brad was honored as one of the North Bay Business Journal’s “Forty Under Forty” for excellence in vision, leadership, & community outreach. Under his guidance, Transcendence has grown into a nationally recognized non-profit recently named “Theatre Company of the Decade” by Broadway World San Francisco. In addition, Transcendence has won over 50 Broadway World San Francisco Awards, been recognized as USA Today’s Outdoor Concert Venue that Shouldn’t be Missed in the US, and honored as a “Champion for Children of the Arts” by the 4 C’s of Sonoma County.  Since 2012, Brad has produced every Transcendence production which has inspired over 250,000 people at Jack London State Historic Park and around the North Bay.  During the pandemic, Transcendence pivoted to create the “Best Night Ever Online’ Season that was seen by over 100,000 people world-wide. He is also proud that Transcendence has inspired the community through countless arts education programs & over 136 community outreach projects.  Brad is a Baltimore, Maryland native and holds a B.F.A. in Drama from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts. He has performed off-Broadway, in regional theatre, films, television and commercials.  Brad is incredibly fortunate to be married to Transcendence’s Artistic Director, Amy Miller, and has loved living in Sonoma for the past decade with his 2 year old son Micah and the best dog ever, Junior. Brad dedicates the 2022 Season in her loving memory.

Susan Hoeffel was born in Texas and came to the San Francisco Bay Area as a child.  After earning a BA from the University of California at Berkeley, she began her professional career in the financial services industry holding executive level positions at an NYSE financial services company, The Bank of California, and SEI Investments Co, a leading public financial and technology services firm. There she earned the designation of Certified Financial Planner (CFP), Registered Representative and Registered Principal with FINRA. After moving to Sonoma in 2004, Susan has been affiliated with Sonoma Valley Rotary Club, its President in 2015-2016. She was on the board of Sonoma Valley Fund and is a member of its Advisory Council.  Besides being a director of the board at Transcendence Theatre Company, she is also a member of the various Committees of the board. She and her husband are donors and housing sponsors at Transcendence and partners in Deerfield Ranch Winery in Kenwood.

Jan Hoeffel was born in Ohio, earned a BA from The Ohio State University and was commissioned as a US Naval Officer. After completing flight training, he served a tour in the Pacific as a carrier attack pilot and, after a year attending the Navy’s test pilot school, he served four more years as Navy test pilot in a variety of unique test and development projects. After joining Pan Am as a pilot, he was soon promoted to an Assistant to its Chief Pilot Technical where he oversaw its large 707 aircraft fleet and managed all its flight operations manuals and publications through a comprehensive multi-year global rebranding.  When Pan Am ceased he moved to San Francisco in 1974 and for 16 years held a number of executive positions with a start up and later public financial services firm. When it was sold, he co-founded and served as president of what became a NASDAQ-listed mortgage banking firm. In 1998, he founded San Luis Avionics, Inc., now a recognized regional leader in the sales, installation and service of general aviation avionics, and still serves as its president. He also started and operated several private companies offering retail and technical support services.  Retiring and moving to Sonoma in 2004, he and his wife, Susan, became partners of Deerfield Ranch Winery in Kenwood and early donors, housing sponsors and enthusiastic attendees of Transcendence Theatre Company performances. Over the years, he has served on all of its advisory committees and, in 2014, was elected Vice President and, in that capacity, attends all board meetings.

Brett Fisher is an executive search consultant, talent acquisition partner, and network. Since 2010, his firm Brett Fisher Group (BFG) has successfully placed top talent from management to C-Level with backgrounds in accounting, finance, sales, and marketing across many industries.  Long before Brett interviewed candidates for his clients, he auditioned musicians and performers for live theatrical productions, which he conducted and produced. Live theatre has always been a passion for Brett, having received his undergraduate degree in Music at UCLA, MBA from Pepperdine University, and having produced his first production in 2000. Brett’s depth of experience in building teams (both on and off stage) comes from working in two different non-profit organizations prior to forming BFG. Brett was Producer and Managing Director for Santa Monica Civic Light Opera (2002 to 2006), bringing two summer tours to Avalon’s Casino Theatre on Catalina Island and General Manager for Rubicon Theatre Company in Ventura, CA (2006-2007). Since 2010 Brett has collaborated with Transcendence on developing their business office and has been an active business project consultant and serves as their Board Treasurer.  Brett resides in Thousand Oaks, CA with twins Ella and Ethan (who attended the first Broadway Under the Stars in 2012), and younger son Brayden.