Get Caught Up in the Drama! Fellowship

Alex Salinas-Nakanishi
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This project brings together students from Kapiʻolani Community College and Kaimukī High School to watch plays together at Honolulu's Kumu Kahua Theater, which has been “creating, supporting, and showcasing original works of theater specifically related to our geographical region and the cultures represented here" since its inception in 1971. Through a series of workshops (some facilitated by theater educators and performers), students engage in dialogue about their communities based on the plays’ themes and later present their insights in public forums.

Episodes

  1. 01/21/2020

    Faʻalavelave: Navigating Identity

    Students discuss the complexities of identity through the lens of a queer couple coming out to their family as they reckon with a messy past. Playwright Kiki Rivera, in excerpts from a radio interview, discusses how she navigates her rich identity through her creative work.

  2. 01/21/2020

    Fa’alavelave: Ghosts of the Past

    Students and Kumu Kahua Artistic Director Harry Wong III discuss the eerie presence of the ghost in the play as a symbol for lost relationships.

  3. 01/09/2020

    Teacher Chat: The Power of Stories

    Alex Salinas-Nakanishi and Bill Spradlin, the teachers facilitating this project, discuss the power of stories, including examples of some that have left an impression on them over the years.

  4. 01/03/2020

    Starting Some Drama!

    Alex Salinas-Nakanishi, English Professor at Kapi’olani Community College, gives an overview of the goals and process guiding the project. Bill Spradlin, AVID teacher at Kaimuki HS, reflects on how students can benefit. Students share what they hope to learn, and Harry Wong, artistic director at Kumu Kahua Theater, shares some thoughts about what dramatic arts can contribute to a community.

  5. 12/04/2019

    The Roots of Anger

    Dana and Jason from Kapiʻolani CC and Michelle from Kaimuki HS discuss where anger comes from and strategies for addressing one of the most difficult human emotions.

  6. 11/30/2019

    Ua Pau: Teacher Chat

    Alex and Bill, the teachers from Kapi'olani CC and Kaimuki HS, respectively, coordinating the Diversity Fellowship project discuss their impressions of the play and students' responses.

  7. 11/30/2019

    Ua Pau: Introductions & First Impressions

    Background, author discussion, and students' first impressions of play #1, Ua Pau.

  8. 11/28/2019

    Ua Pau Student Discussion: Symbolism & Colonialism

    Mazie and Kimi from Kapi'olani CC and Kristen from Kaimuki HS discuss symbolic elements in the play and perform a scene with analysis.

  9. 11/27/2019

    Ua Pau Student Discussion: What is Culture?

    Jordan from Kapi'olani CC & Noel from Kaimuki HS discuss themes of cultural identity in the play and perform a scene with analysis.

  • 9 Episodes

About

This project brings together students from Kapiʻolani Community College and Kaimukī High School to watch plays together at Honolulu's Kumu Kahua Theater, which has been “creating, supporting, and showcasing original works of theater specifically related to our geographical region and the cultures represented here" since its inception in 1971. Through a series of workshops (some facilitated by theater educators and performers), students engage in dialogue about their communities based on the plays’ themes and later present their insights in public forums.

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