BIPOC and Queer Artists Bring Radical Joy with Immersive ‘Summer Sun’

If the name Nikko Kimzin is not familiar to you, then his work is probably familiar.

He and his husband have worked in Sonoma County since 2017 and moved to Petaluma in 2020 because of its vibrancy, good food and proximity to nature. While working with Creative Sonoma, he helped with grants to local Petaluma artists and, as founder of Kimzin Creative, was instrumental in the Dream On phase of Petaluma River Park.

What you may not know about this New York transplant is his love of theater and its ability to inspire what he calls “radical joy.” Working with CollabWerksa Sonoma County-based production company made up of local BIPOC and queer artists, he is now bringing this radical joy to Sonoma County in the form of an immersive stage show at the California Theater in Santa Rosa.

The show, titled “Sunny Summer: Shock with a Twist,” will run for three days on November 14, 15 and 17. The adaptation was five years in the making, with Kimzin describing it as “A Midsummer Night’s Dream meets a whirlwind.” irreverent comedy and unapologetic exuberance.”

Oh, and did we mention the DJ?

Recognizing that some people may be wary of entertainment called “immersive theatre,” Kimzin is quick to set the record straight.

“First of all, this is a play,” he says.

It’s true that during the 90-minute performance the actors break the fourth wall and there is a lot of interaction with the audience, but the real radicality of this approach comes in the form of the after-party.

“I want people to be free to have fun in the spirit of the show,” says Kimzin.

A two-hour dance party following the production gives audience members the opportunity to talk about the show, enjoy the experience, and build community.

CollabWerks takes community seriously. They have made a noticeable effort to reach groups that are not traditionally invited into the theater space.

“We talked to organizations about what the barriers are and how we overcome them,” says Kimzin. “We want the show to be accessible.”

These accessibility efforts are impressive. They reached out to schools and other community organizations to find ways to partner with them and declared Friday’s performance Pride Night.

It may seem strange to put so much work into a production that is not aimed at a traditional theater audience, but Kimzin emphasizes that this is not about excluding a traditional audience member – no one is excluded – but rather highlighting the inclusion of an audience that is usually ignored .

“This show is for people who have never felt comfortable in traditional theater,” says Kimzin. “Or for people who think Shakespeare and other classical texts are not for them. But it’s also for people who need to laugh deep in their souls.”

Some may wonder why A Midsummer Night’s Dream? Why not make new work or adapt work that falls outside the traditional Western canon?

Or maybe make a show with fewer problematic plot issues surrounding consent.

“We acknowledge the challenges,” says Kimzin, adding that one of the reasons Midsummer was chosen was because the characters are still relevant today. The chaotic comedy and absurdity of the situations are still funny. “By adapting it the way we did, adding a DJ/narrator, we can comment and explain things in the text that are usually unclear or outdated. Also, think about how liberating it would be for people to come and see BIPOC and queer people using this text.”

Still not sure if this show is for you?

“It’s for everyone,” says Kimzin. “To everyone who wants joy and liberation.”

Liberation. This is a recurring point of contact during any conversation with Kimzin. He speaks freely about liberating joy through art, liberating the senses through dance, and liberating audiences to liberate artists.

“There are shows that make you feel good,” Kimzin says. “There are shows that make you want to dance and sing.”

In his opinion, this is one of those shows. In other words, this is a show that spreads “radical joy.” And right now, who couldn’t use some of this?