help.
Our neighbors in Los Angeles are facing unimaginable challenges due to the devastating fires. Homes have been lost, lives disrupted, and communities deeply affected. Your generosity can bring hope and relief to those in need. Every contribution, no matter the size, provides essential support and shows that we stand together in times of crisis.
Donate today to help rebuild lives and restore hope.
American Red Cross
California Community Foundation
California Fire Foundation
Pasadena Humane Society
World Central Kitchen
Welcome to the 30th Season of the Torrance Cultural Arts Foundation (TOCA)! Since its inception, TOCA has ensured that the South Bay has access to high quality culturally enriching experiences. We do this because we believe that the cultural arts are uniquely able to bring us together while also celebrating our differences. My colleagues on the Board of Directors and I are honored to continue the meaningful work that was started by visionary city leaders decades ago when they built the Torrance Cultural Arts Center.
We work in close collaboration with the City of Torrance, private donors, corporate partners, community partners, and our patrons to ensure that our shows are inspiring and accessible to all audiences. Our staff and Board of Directors believe that there is a certain experience that can only be fully enjoyed in a theater, surrounded by others, watching a live performance. Browse our season brochure and you’ll find shows that will make you laugh, cry, think, be inspired, dance in the aisles, and everything in between!
We encourage you to join our mailing list and take advantage of our season subscriber discount. TOCA relies on the financial support from people like you who see the value in our mission, and there are many ways to support us. Consider becoming a volunteer or committing to a one-time or regular monthly donation. The latter is as simple as texting TOCA30 to 44321. TOCA is grateful for the generosity of those who make what we do possible.
We can’t wait to share another season of new and familiar experiences with you!
David Kartsonis President
At a time of celebration like this, we can’t help but look back on all that TOCA has accomplished and impacted. Starting with all the amazing artists, mentorship of young performers, partnerships with local arts organizations, to our friends and audience members who have been with us on this journey.
There are so many people who have helped us get to where we are today. From our staff (Susan & Sharon), graphic designer (Tes Schaff) and video artist (Brian Singer) who’ve worked tirelessly on so many projects including our streaming shows during the pandemic. Our Board of Directors and Advisory Board continue to be an inspiration and beacons of support. Thank you all.
At TOCA, we are committed to providing our patrons a space with unforgettable and accessible cultural experiences. We are proud to offer a diverse range of experiences including music, theatre, dance, comedy and family programming. As always, if there is anything we can do to make your time with us more enjoyable, please let us know by emailing is at info@torrancearts.org.
See you at the theatre!
Chris Wolf Executive Director
Assisted listening devices available. Ask the House Manager or usher for assistance.
Black Opry is a home for Black artists, fans, and industry professionals working in country, Americana, blues, and folk music. Country and roots music have been created and cherished by Black people since their inception. Yet, for just as long, we have been overlooked and disregarded in these genres. Black Opry is changing that.
“Black Opry is so powerful because it reflects not only this generation of artists, musicians, and songwriters but also writers, critics, journalists, and fans who are interested in amplifying the work of Black country artists and other marginalized communities,” says Dr. Charles L. Hughes, historian and author of Country Soul. “It is also about creating networks and building a sense of community to challenge and avoid dealing with racist institutions.” (Rolling Stone)
JULIE WILLIAMS
Fearlessly forging her path down country roads, CMT Next Women of Country artist Julie Williams carries her mixedrace heritage proudly, just as she carries her tunes. Raised in Florida, Julie is turning heads in Nashville’s Americana music scene with her compelling blend of country storytelling, soft yet powerful vocal performance, and indie folk production.
Music has always been part of Julie’s life. She honed her singing talent in church, beach bars, and stadiums, where she performed the national anthem before packed crowds. Her diverse influences include The Chicks, James Taylor, Gladys Knight, and Michael Jackson. Although drawn to country music’s storytelling, she struggled to find a sound that reflected her identity—Black, white, Southern, a woman, and deeply hopeful. So, she decided to create it herself. “My music is mixed like me,” Julie explains. “I want to tell the stories that need to be told.”
While attending Duke University, Julie signed with Small Town Records, whose alumni include Mike Posner and Delta Rae, and performed with the Duke Jazz Ensemble. After earning a public policy degree in 2019, she moved to Nashville and found a musical home in the Black country and Americana scene. Named in Rissi Palmer’s Color Me Country Class of 2021, Julie was also featured in a PBS NewsHour special on Black women in country music.
In 2022, Julie joined the Black Opry, a collective of Black artists in country, blues, folk, and Americana music, which has been featured on The Kelly Clarkson Show, Good Morning America, and NPR Music. In 2023, Julie became a CMT Equal Access artist, part of an mTheory-backed program supporting marginalized voices in country music.
Julie’s upcoming single, Southern Curls, is a heartfelt reflection on growing up mixed in the South. Her fans raised over $5,000 in just one week to fund its music video, created by an all-Black creative team. Released in March 2021, the single and video garnered coverage from Billboard, CMT, and World of Country.
Building her career on the road, Julie has played over 120 shows across 26 states in the past two years and captivated audiences at festivals such as Newport Folk Festival, CMA Fest, Tortuga Music Fest, High Water Festival, Cayamo, and AmericanaFest. She has shared stages with Jason Isbell, Allison Russell, Mt. Joy, Devon Gilfillian, Brittney Spencer, and Will Hoge.
In June 2023, Julie released her self-titled EP, Julie Williams, which received coverage from American Songwriter and The Tennessean. Following the release, she performed at the Newport Folk Festival, CMA Fest, and AmericanaFest, and embarked on a 20-city coast-tocoast tour.
CHRIS PIERCE
“One of America’s most talented, gifted, and affecting artists.” – American Songwriter
“I haven’t been so deeply, deeply moved by just a person and their guitar like this in a long time.” – NPR Music
In 2023, Chris Pierce was handpicked to open for Neil Young’s Coastal Tour. He gained worldwide recognition with “We Can Always Come Back to This,” a song co-written for NBC’s This Is Us. The track, featured in three episodes, reached #1 on the Billboard Blues Chart.
Chris has headlined tours worldwide and supported legends such as Neil Young, B.B. King, Seal, Al Green, and Allison Russell. Recent highlights include a solo concert at The Kennedy Center, a Playing for Change duet with Sara Bareilles, and performances at Newport Folk Festival, MerleFest, and AmericanaFest.
His album, American Silence, received critical acclaim from NPR, Rolling Stone, No Depression, and others. PopMatters named it the #1 Best Folk Album of 2021, while FolkAlley listed “Residential School” as one of the 100 Essential Folk Songs.
Chris’s latest album, Let All Who Will, released on September 1, 2023, earned praise from NPR, No Depression, and American Songwriter. Alongside his solo work, he performs with WAR & PIERCE, Leon Creek, and occasionally with the Black Opry Revue.
JUSTIN ROBERTS
Based in Jacksonville, Florida, Justin Roberts is a seasoned musician with over 20 years of experience captivating audiences across genres, from R&B and pop to folk, bluegrass, and country. As the lead vocalist and guitarist for The Grooverboys, Justin brings energy and artistry to every performance.
Justin has held leadership roles, including Youth Director of Worship and Arts at Shiloh Metropolitan Baptist Church (2016–2020) and Worship Leader for Shiloh Church. His expertise extends to musical direction, notably as Musical Director and background vocalist for Leon Timbo.
Over the years, Justin has shared stages with acclaimed artists such as Sunny War (featured on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon), The Roots, Tyrese, Hezekiah Walker, and Chris Tomlin. His collaborations include songwriting, instrumentation, and vocals with Lowell Pye.
SEASON PARTNER
City of Torrance
$10,000–$49,999 STARS
Paul and Rita Keil
Pearlston Family Trust
Torrance Refining Company
$5,000–$9,999 CO-STARS
Sares-Regis Group
Supervisor Janice Hahn
Surf Management, Inc.
$2,500–$4,999 PRODUCERS
Jean Adelsman
Continental Development Corporation
Farmers & Merchants Bank
Jane and Jim Isomoto
Dale Korman (In Memory of Bob Josefek)
Tito’s Handmade Vodka
$1,000–$2,499 DIRECTORS
Brian and Heidi Cunningham
Ann and Marty Gallagher
Rod and Crystal Macdonell
Nancy and George Mannon
Ted and Carolyn Porter
$500 ANGELS
Tammy Khan
Patricia Kromka
Russell and Carole Lefevre
Ellenmary Michel
Lori Mizuguchi
William Oberholzer
Athena Paquette Cormier
Pamela Popovich
Winnie Seieroe
$250 FRIENDS
Reuben and Sabrina Ayala
John and Louise Bye
Joan Hall
Mary Hoffman and Bob Habel
Glen and Fumiko Isobe
Ruth P. Lyon
Gerald and Carol Marcil
Frank and Marilyn Miles
Kenneth and Doris Nakakura
Sacha Ohara
Jim Olds (In Memory of A.Y. & Joyce Olds)
Fred and Ann Peitzman
Nancy Richards
Wendy Shu
Christian and Robin Wolf
LaVonne Wuertz
$100 FANS
Richard Beaver
Ann and Victor Cooper
Helen Dennis
Judy Golden
Gary Hastings
Eleanor Jones
Virginia Jussila
Lea Ann King (In Support of Jean Adelsman)
Bernadette Kociemba
Lynda Kraemer
Alan and Joann Miyamoto
George and Helen Nakano
Peter and Vicki Pellerito
Andrea and Ron Perez (In
Memory of John Popovich)
Felicia Rosenfeld
Gail Roulette
Robert and Kerry Shuman
Maurine Swilley
Hazel Taniguchi
Ray and Estela Uchima
Kurt Weideman and Sue
Golden
Georgeann Wyatt
John Zlatic
TOCA BOARD
Katy Geissert, Founding President
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
David Kartsonis, President
Camilla Seferian, Vice President
Reuben Ayala, Secretary
Heidi Cunningham, Treasurer
Winnie Seieroe, Member At Large
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Jean Adelsman
Liliana Dongo
Jonah Hirata
Mary Hoffman
Tammy Khan
Rosemarie Piccioni, Ed.D.
Laura Savitz
ADVISORY BOARD
David Benoit
Shannon Dean
Scott Douglas
Donna Duperron
Steve Fechner
Patrick Furey
Ann Gallagher
Sherry Kramer
Gesuina Lafayette
George Nakano
Steve Napolitano
Bill Oberholzer
Ted Porter
Ritas Smith
Kurt Weideman
STAFF
Christian Wolf, Executive Director
Sharon Sapigao, Administration
Susan Lyon, Artist Hospitality
Tes Schaff, Graphic Design
