Transcendence Theatre Company
Broadway Under the
Sonoma Stars
By Noah Griffin
M
ore often than not,
organizations reflect the
personality, philosophy
and hopefully the purpose of their
founders. And nowhere is that
truer than with Amy Miller, Artistic
Director of Transcendence Theatre
Company (TTC).
Not named for, but in a shared bond
with the great transcendentalists
of the 19th century, Miller took the
name “Transcendence” based on
the desire to use musical theater
to bring communities together and
raise the quality of life for everyone
24 MARIN ARTS & CULTURE
it touches. She believes that going
“within” and getting in touch with
a “centering force,” allows her
to be of maximum service to her
audience.
From the early age of 5, this
native Cincinnatian knew what
she wanted to do: act, sing and
dance on Broadway. How could
her grandparents have known that
sitting her down to watch Meredith
Wilson’s The Music Man on TV
would have such a strong effect on
her? Miller loved it, remembering
that experience to this day.
Of all the major influences in her
life, and there have been many, she
still credits her McAuley High School
drama and dance coaches Claire
Deal and Nancy Roberts as having
the most significant impact on her
professional life. Miller keeps in
touch with both of them, as well as
with the Cincinnati Young People’s
Theatre, which helped her back in
the day.
Applying to and auditioning for
various colleges, she settled on
Otterbein University near Columbus,
Ohio. It was close by and allowed