A community group dedicated to returning Transcendence Theatre Company to Jack London State Historic Park
Please help us return Transcendence Theatre Company back to their home in Jack London State Historic Park!
We are are community group not directly associated with Transcendence Theatre Company or Jack London Park Partners.
What is Happneing?
As you may have heard or seen in the recent press, Transcendence Theatre Company (TTC) has lost this entire 2023 season in Jack London State Historic Park (JLSHP) and is at risk of losing future seasons and facing serious financial hardship. This is due to the unfounded legal action by the California State Park Rangers Association (CSPRA) against Transcendence and JLSHP.
Because of the lawsuit, the State started a California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review in Sep 2022 and must complete it before TTC can return to the park. The original completion date given was targeted for March 2023 - but has now moved out to an unknown date . The community that loves TTC in our park has been very patient with the State Parks Dept., but the process is moving too slowly and TTC and JLSHP are facing some serious deadlines and financial loss risking 2024 and beyond. For details on how we got here and how to help see below.
How we got here:
2011
California State Parks was suffering financially and announced the closure of 75 state parks including JLSHP. They were seeking innovative ways to keep the parks open.
TTC discovered the ruins of an old winery in JLSHP that had the potential to be an extraordinary open-air theatre.
A CEQA Exemption for the initial performance was granted from State.
900 people attended Transcendence’s first Broadway Under the Stars concert to help save JLSHP. The park was previously scheduled to close and was only open 3 days a week with low attendance. Director of CA State Parks spoke at the concert on the importance of arts in the parks. It was a huge success.
2012-2020
The Park Rangers Invited TTC to return and perform in park launching their inaugural season of Broadway Under the Stars.
California State Lawmakers pass AB42 allowing nonprofits to run some State Parks. Jack London Park Partners, a nonprofit group including volunteers, was set up to take over operation of JLSHP - moving away from traditional State Parks management.
CEQA State Exemptions were again officially granted by State Parks from 2012-2024 for TTC to perform in the park.
The park was thriving and now open 7 days a week, with high attendance, and thousands of people visiting the park to learn the rich culture of Jack London and see TTC perform. The park was doing extremely well financially and was a shining example of what a community-run park can achieve. The experience was a treasure to the Sonoma County community and everyone loved it! TTC and the venue were winning national awards and it was even named the #2 “not to be missed” outdoor concert venue in the United States by USA Today!
2020-2022
After the long and difficult Covid years, darkness struck in the form of CSPRA, who filed a lawsuit against California State Parks, TTC, and Jack London Park Partners asking to remove TTC from the park.
CSPRA’s lawsuit was targeted specifically at getting TTC out of the park. Based on our research, their actions have nothing to do with the environment or preserving the park. This was a self-serving action to benefit their organization. They did not want any type of out-sourced park management. CSPRA prefers parks to be run by their State employees. CSPRA’s priority is not the people of California, the Arts, or the Park, so they sued one of the best-performing State Parks being run by a nonprofit.
Most of the lawsuit by CSPRA was thrown out, however the judge allowed one item, the completion of a CEQA review process. This review began in September 2022 and resulted in the cancellation of already pre-approved CEQA exemptions granted to TTC, in essence kicking TTC out of the park until the review is completed. A CEQA review is typical and assures there are no negative impacts to the park. Nobody is against doing a CEQA. Because TTC has already performed for years in the park with no impact to the environment, the State chose to do a Mitigated Negative Declarations(NegDec) version of the review which is typically very straight-forward. NegDec reviews are done when there is likely no significant harm to the environment. The TTC/JLSHP team was told by the State the CEQA review would likely conclude in time to allow a full 2023 season back in the park.
2023
As of August 2023 the State Parks have yet to complete the CEQA, review resulting in TTC having to relocate all 2023 shows to various venues costing over $200,000 in labor and relocation expenses and causing extreme stress on employees, artists, and staff. Meanwhile JLSHP is losing valuable revenue to run the park every day. The local community is starting to get very upset with the State’s lack of a solid timeline and transparency. The 2024 season and these organizations are in jeopardy.
July 2023, Friends of Transcendence is created, and asks the State Parks to respond to the community and speed up the process and re-save our park and TTC. The State most recently told Friends of Transcendence that the NegDec review should be ready for the open comment phase by mid-August. We are waiting for this to occur.
Currently the community is in the dark about the future of TTC and JLSHP.
Thank You!
The community members are the true owners of this incredible park. We want Transcendence to continue their amazing work and performances that make this such a magical place.
Thank you to everyone that participates in this campaign.
It has a huge impact on how our State leaders see this passionate community.
Friends of Transcendence
EMAIL US AT:
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"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has" - Margaret Mead
© 2023 Friends of Transcendence EMAIL: FriendsofTranscendence@gmail.com
