Meet the Cast – Spotlight on the Talented Performers of Transcendence Theatre Company ®
5 Questions with Arielle Crosby
Arielle Crosby (she/they) is back in wine country and ready to light up the stage—not once, but twice—in this summer’s productions of Broadway’s Best Night Ever® and Beautiful – The Carole King Musical. A returning Transcendence favorite, Arielle has wowed audiences in past productions like Road Trip and Hooray for Hollywood. With standout roles in The Color Purple, The Bodyguard, and Waitress, Arielle brings both powerhouse vocals and emotional depth to every role. We caught up with them to talk about summer performances, favorite moments in Sonoma, and what it means to come home to the Transcendence stage.
1. How do you prepare for the challenge of performing in two very different shows this season?
What’s great about Broadway’s Best Night Ever ® is that it’s a show we’re building so it’s more of a way to showcase the artists as themselves rather than as characters. So my approach for prep is more personalized. For Beautiful, I get to be different characters in a different time period. My approach for that is to immerse myself in that time period by researching the history, listening to music and absorbing other art from that era. And learn my lines and score, of course.
2. What brings you back to Transcendence—and how has the experience evolved over time for you?
Transcendence came to me at a very crucial period of my life. I was in a state of transition and rediscovering my “why” for performance when my first opportunity to perform here arose. So, long story short, Transcendence has a special place in my heart and is a place I never hesitate to return to when I’m available.Over time, I’ve gotten closer to and connected with the community and the TTC family. It feels like a home away from home any time I’m there.
3. What excites you most about stepping into Beautiful—and why do you think Carole King’s music continues to resonate so strongly with audiences today?
The music! That’s what excites me the most. I’m always in awe of songwriters in general, but especially those who are able to write for others as well as themselves. And, while the writing is usually from the writer’s perspective and experience, they are still able to form it in a way that feels true to the artist or group they’re writing for. That takes a strong understanding of the collective human experience. And that understanding and relatability resonates throughout space and time forever.
4. What’s one moment or memory from your time performing in Sonoma that’s really stuck with you?
There was a moment I think about often in Road Trip. We were singing “My Traveling Star” by James Taylor in our
rolling chairs (which represented our cars on said road trip). We would lean back and look up at the sky as we sang. The combination of this gentle, heart achingly beautiful song about fleeting moments and that vast starry sky really struck a chord with me. It was the dichotomy of impermanence (the song) and constancy (the sky), a theme with which all artists are very familiar. You don’t get moments quite like that inside of a traditional theatre. You can have powerful and poignant moments, for sure, but having nature as your stage and backdrop takes things to another level. It “transcends,” if you will. (wink wink)
5. What would you say to someone who’s never seen a Transcendence show before?
A Transcendence show takes the talent and gifts of the theatre and puts them directly in connection with the Earth. It marries the magic of the human spirit, voice, and body with the wonders of heavenly creation. You will be more than just entertained. You will be transformed by a force greater than you’ve ever experienced. It is an inexplicable feeling you get seeing these amazing artists giving their all with the beauty of the terrain as the backdrop. You really have to see it and experience it to understand. It is truly special.
Bonus Question: Do you have a favorite local spot you always try to visit when you’re back in town?
Oh, I definitely make it a point to visit El Molino. I’ve had just about everything on that menu and I am never disappointed. Never!