Hawai'i Thespians

We're celebrating theatre teachers!

On Saturday, Oct. 5, Hawai'i Thespians brought teachers together for a day of fun and professional development. From playing theatre games to learning new skills such as stage combat, projection design, costuming, make-up design and supporting learner differences in the theatre class, Hawai'i Thespians partnered with the Hawai'i Conservatory of Performing Arts at Windward Community College to bring teachers and industry professionals together. 

The day included time for teachers to peruse scripts and share with each other. Colleagues from our Hawai'i State Theatre Council provided brochures to share their seasons as well as donated prizes. Mahalos go out to the Hawai'i Shakespeare Festival and Kumu Kahua Theatre for donating to the teachers. 

Special thanks also go to the our local stores Home Depot at Mapunapuna and The Cookie Corner for their donations, and online ticketing systems BookTix for their swag bags and freebies.

Click the image below to access the program and the workshops that were offered. Go to the Theatre Teacher Retreat tab for our picture gallery!

Welcome, Carla!

Hawai'i Thespians is happy to welcome Carla Kirk is the Learning Center Coordinator for Kaua'i Performing Arts Center (KPAC) to our chapter! 


Ms. Kirk holds a BFA in Acting from Brigham Young University. Following graduation, she honed her craft in various professional and semi-professional film and theatre projects. Her journey led her to the beautiful island of Kaua'i, where she transitioned into theatre education and discovered her passion for directing.


As the KPAC coordinator, Ms. Kirk combines her performance background with her love for teaching, inspiring the next generation of theatre artists. She is grateful for the unwavering support of her husband of 18 years throughout her theatrical and educational career.


Ms. Kirk is dedicated to fostering creativity, building confidence, and nurturing talent in her students at KPAC of Thespian Troupe #4754.

Lanaly Cabalo

Hawai'i Thespians 

Chapter Director

A welcome-back message from your chapter director:

Welcome back!

Hi, everyone!


I hope you're all well! As we begin this new year, I want to express my gratitude that I am in your company. I can't wait for us all to get together so we can swap stories, catch up and share what we're all working on (or hoping to work on) this year.


Just by what I'm seeing on our calendar so far, it seems like there is so much theatre for us to enjoy and even more so to look forward to. I want to remind you that I'm here for you if you need support, whether it be just a sounding board or help navigating our chapter portal in your EdTA account. The beginning of a new academic year can be overwhelming, so don't be shy. Feel free to reach out to me or anyone on the board.


I'm excited to announce that we are now connected across the islands from Kaua'i to the Big Island, and continue to grow. We should all be impressed with how many theatre programs we have. We are all very lucky to be in a state that values the performing arts so much!


I'll be sure to keep sending industry updates and invitations to theatre events as they come up. And don't forget, if you have something you want to promote, be sure to let me know.


Thanks so much for all you do! See you all at the theatre!


Sincerely, 

Lanaly Cabalo

Hawai'i Thespians Chapter Director





Congratulations to Nathaniel Villagomez!

The Kapolei senior received his award from Hawai'i Thespians on his senior night, the same night the masses experiences his directorial work on Xanadu, Jr. He was also honored with being the inaugural director for Kapolei High School's new Director's Wall. 

Congratulations to our scholarship recipients!

We are happy to announce the recipients of the four scholarships that were awarded at the 2024 Hawai'i Thespians Festival. On January 13, many of states finest middle and high school theatre programs came together to celebrate our annual thespians festival, hosted by the Hawai'i Thespians and the Hawai'i Conservatory of Performing Arts at Windward Community College. We are proud to say that because of the dedication our educators have for our students, we were able to award four scholarships this year. Here are our wonderfully talented recipients. Congratulations to all. 


Hawai‘i Thespians Scholarship

First Place
Alana Clayson, Punahou School

Alana Clayson is an award-winning senior and current president of the Punahou Thespian Troupe #1456. Since playing the role of Dragon in Shrek, Jr. in middle school, Clayson has gone on to play Charon in The Lightning Thief, Diana in Something Latin, Violet in August: Osage County, Vanessa in In the Heights and Susan in tick, tick… Boom! In the community, Clayson starred as Elsa in Frozen, Jr. (Mo‘olelo Studios) and was recently cast to play Zoe in Dear Evan Hansen (Manoa Valley Theatre). She is the recipient of the Punahou School Excellence Award in Technical Theatre (2022), the Punahou School Excellence Award in Acting (2022, 2023) She is in also the National Honor Society and a recipient of the John F. Fox Achievement Award for excellence in academics and the arts at Punahou (2022).


Hawai‘i Thespians Scholarship

Second Place
Nathaniel Villagomez, Kapolei School
Nathaniel Villagomez is a senior at Kapolei High School and is the President of Kapolei’s Thespian Troupe #6906. He has been performing since his junior year of high school and has never stopped since. Past show credits include many at the Performing Arts Center of Kapolei and Central Theater Arts Academy. In the future, he plans to share his passion of musical theater to generations as a Theatre Teacher while also pursuing musical theatre. 


University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa Glenn Cannon Memorial Scholarship

Ellis Honma, ‘Iolani School
Ellis Honma is a senior at ‘Iolani School and a member of the International Thespian Society Troupe #7205. Taking classes in the arts since the 6th grade, she has performed in multiple plays and musicals with ‘Iolani Dramatic Players throughout her high school years. She plans to pursue musical theater as a major in college. 


Hawai‘i Conservatory of Performing Arts Scholarship

Zaden Jay Brub,  Mililani High School

Zaden Jay Brub is a senior and member of Mililani High School's Central Theatre Arts Academy and International Thespian Troupe #3791. Up next for Brub and the Mililani Trojans is Hairspray.

Hawai'i Thespians Festival 2024 has come to a close!

Toi Jones 

of DreamHouse 'Ewa Beach

Congratulations,

DreamHouse 'Ewa Beach!

Hawai'i Thespians welcomes our new Troupe Director Toi Jones of DreamHouse 'Ewa Beach and their newly chartered troupe #11485.

As a dedicated Theatre Teacher, Ms. Jones believes in harnessing the unique potential within each of us. Currently, she is on an inspiring journey as an educator, guiding the bright minds of seventh grade students in the realms of Community Theatre and Creative Media at DreamHouse 'Ewa Beach. Her passion for the arts was ignited in her hometown of Chicago, IL, where she laid the foundation for my career. She proudly holds a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Arts from Bennett College for Women and a Master's in Theatre Arts from Regent University. With 13 years of professional experience in theatre arts, she has had the privilege of collaborating with numerous theatre companies and nurturing the creative talents of students across all grade levels. Beyond her professional life, she is happily married and a proud parent of two wonderful children. 

Let's continue to illuminate the path of creativity and learning together!

August 2023

New leadership for the
'Iolani Dramatic Players

Welcome and congratulations to the newest member of the Hawai'i Thespians Troupe Directors 'ohana! Julia Ogilvie is the new theatre teacher for 'Iolani's troupe #7205. 

Julia was born and raised in Honolulu and grew up in the back of Mānoa Valley. She attended college in New York City, where she made her home for the better part of the last 20 years. The pandemic prompted her to make the move back home to Hawai‘i in Spring 2020. Since moving home, Julia established MVT Studio, Mānoa Valley Theatre’s education program, and has taught acting at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, Punahou School, Kumu Kahua Theatre, Diamond Head Theatre, and Hanahau‘oli School. Julia has also taught for The American Conservatory Theatre’s M.F.A. program, The Yale Dramatic Association, Rutgers University, and the Juilliard Drama Outreach Program at Snow College. As a professional actor, Julia has worked for the past 10 years Off-Broadway, in regional theaters, internationally, and for TV and film for Netflix, Disney+, and CBS. Julia is a recipient of the Presidential Scholar in The Arts award and holds a degree in drama from The Juilliard School. 

August 2023

What to watch!

Now that we've enjoyed a few weeks of summer (break if you have it), how can you still be active in theatre. Many students across the state have been participating in the various summer programs Hawai'i has to offer. But there is still lots of theatre to see!

Honolulu Magazine has compiled a list of shows (and links) for you to check out! See you at the theatre!

Click here: Summer Lineup



Hollenbeak wins 2023 National Shakespeare Monologue Competition 

Congratulations to St. Andrew's Schools Thespian Troupe 1993 president Elena Hollenbeak for winning the English-Speaking Union National Shakespeare Monologue Competition! In New York, Hollenbeak celebrated the win (and Shakespeare's birthday) with her Lady MacBeth monologue.

Inducted into ITS her freshmen year, Hollenbeak has enjoyed roles such as Pugsley Addams (The Addams Family The Musical Young@Part), Crush (Finding Nemo, Jr.) and Susan Fisher (Dear, Albert Einstein) at St. Andrew's Schools and roles in local theatre shows such as Nora in Brighton Beach Memoirs (TAG) and Sonya in Painting TJ (TAG). 

Hollenbeak has been accepted into The New School for Performing Arts in New York. Congratulations, Elena!

Aloha and welcome to Hawai‘i Thespians, a Chapter of the Educational Theatre Association!

HAWAI'I THESPIANS NEWS!

Congratulations to our 2023 Hawai‘i Thespians Festival Scholarship Winners! 

Alexis Bugarin           
2023 Hawai‘i Thespians Scholarship Winner

Congratulations to Alexis Bugarin! The Kapolei High School senior is this year's recipient of the Hawai‘i Thespians Scholarship. This scholarship honors excellence in students who plan on pursuing theatre in college. Awarded by the Educational Theatre Association and the Hawai‘i Thespians at this year's annual state theatre festival, the judges praised Bugarin's professionalism and talent.


A member of International Thespian Society Troupe 6906, Bugarin has been part of the theater community since the age of 7 performing with various theater companies. Performing Arts Center Kapolei, Diamond Head Theatre, Castle Performing Arts Center, and Playbuilders of Hawai'i  just to name a few.  She also performed as a solo artist all over our island.  Bugarin plans to continue to further her education in musical theatre.  


At the festival, she performed Alexandra’s monologue from The Little Foxes by Lillian Hellman and sang "Maybe This Time" by Fred Ebb and John Kander from the musical, Cabaret. 


Congratulations to Alexis and best wishes for all her future endeavors!

  Nathaniel Ryan-Kern
2023 Glenn Cannon Memorial &
Hawai'i Conservatory of Performing Arts 

Congratulations to Nathaniel Ryan-Kern! Ryan-Kern is this year's recipient of the UH Mānoa Glenn Cannon Memorial Scholarship, presented by the annual state Hawai'i Thespians Festival. He is a senior at Punahou school and co-president of Punahou’s International Thespian Troupe 1456. He has performed with various performing arts companies across the island, finding his love for theatre through Waialae Performing Arts in middle school and performing with Punahou Theatre, Performing Arts Company of Kapolei and Diamond Head Theatre throughout high school.


This Ryan-Kern auditioned for this award using a classical comedic monologue from A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare performing the role of Bottom followed by a gritty and sorrowful piece from Defender of the Faith by Stuart Carolan. 


Congratulations, Nathaniel!

Previous winners: 

Hawai'i Thespians Festival 2022

Hawai'i Thespians: Naho Umitani (Pacific Buddhist Academy)

Glenn Cannon Memorial Scholarship: Meenakshi Kutty (St. Andrew's Schools)

Windward Community College: Elena Hollenbeak (St. Andrew's Schools)

Hawai'i Thespians Festival 2021

Hawai'i Thespians: Kailee Brandt (Punahou School)

Glenn Cannon Memorial Scholarship: Grace Rogers (Kalaheo High School)

Windward Community College: Meenakshi Kutty (St. Andrew's Schools)


MAKE A DONATION TO HAWAI‘I THESPIANS!

Hawaii Thespians is a 501c3 Non-Profit organization that supports and recognizes excellence of middle and high school theatre arts students in Hawaii. All donations to Hawaii Thespians are tax deductible.

Please help us to continue supporting Theatre Arts in our schools by making a donation today! 

 Click the button below to donate! Mahalo!

Since 1929 the International Thespian Society (ITS), the student honorary division of the EdTA, has worked to promote theatre arts in education. The organization is named for Thespis, the Greek who, according to legend, stepped out from the chorus and became the first actor. 

The ITS has provided middle and high school students and their theatre teachers with support, information, and experiences that make educational theatre an important part of education.