The performing arts hopes and goals of Leeward Group Faculty college students and the encompassing communities acquired a serious increase in 2019, after the three-year renovation of the Pearl Metropolis campus’ Leeward Theatre. Practically $12 million in enhancements included elevated stage crew entry, changing the theater seats and modernizing the stage and lighting.
A jubilant Leeward CC staged Lin Manuel Miranda’s Within the Heights in January 2019, and bookings started to select up velocity. All of it got here to a screeching halt when COVID-19 closed the campus in March 2020.
As we speak, after a mixed 5 years of dormancy, the one main arts presenter and humanities training heart serving the Leeward and Central Oʻahu communities is welcoming audiences again via the storied foyer that includes a 100-foot-long mural by Jean Charlot to comfortable new seats and the glow of the LED-lit stage.
Makalapua launches new season
The Liliʻu Venture’s Makalapua debuted in September and a full slate of renters have booked the brand new facility via the top of the 2022–23 season.
The present crop of scholars couldn’t be extra excited.
“I believe it’s beautiful,” mentioned Betty Hill, who volunteered as a stagehand for Makalapua. “It’s my first expertise in a theater ever. It’s by no means been out there to me earlier than so I adore it.”
Mokihana Garcia grew up in Waiʻanae and is hoping to carry out within the new theater.
“An actual stage like that is unknown, not less than in my expertise, so revolutionary,” he mentioned.
Lalea Nilsen had the chance to carry out ballet in Leeward CC’s Pau Hana, when the theater opened briefly in 2019.
“It’s lovely,” Nilsen mentioned. “I like the backdrop and the way many individuals can match within the viewers.”
The exhibits go on
New Leeward Theatre Supervisor Elisa Olson has been in theaters everywhere in the nation—in 49 states to be precise. She has labored as a manufacturing stage supervisor for nationwide excursions and likewise served on the Kennedy Heart in Washington D.C.
“We now have one thing very particular right here, which I’m very enthusiastic about, and the power to make the most of that’s implausible,” Olson mentioned. “So far as what now we have to supply and {our capability}, we are able to do absolutely anything.”
Her work now’s each exterior and inner. Musical theatre, popularized by exhibits similar to Glee, might be amongst Leeward’s future choices.
“Actually what I’m essentially the most enthusiastic about is the power to essentially interact with the group and construct a program that’s right here that represents Leeward,” Olson mentioned. “We’re planning on coming again for our fiftieth anniversary, which is subsequent yr, and providing a full slate of what we count on from Leeward Theatre and a few new issues alongside the way in which.”
Forward at Leeward Theatre:
- Hawaiʻi Ballet Theatre – Nutcracker (November 25–27, 2022)
- UH Mānoa Bands (December 4, 2022)
- Hawaiʻi Symphony (December 13, 2022)
- Pas De Deux Hawaii (December 9–10, 2022)
- Hawaiʻi Symphony (February TBD, 2022)
- X1 Leisure – Piper Rockelle—Social media influencer (February 19, 2023)
- Starpower Expertise Competitors (March 4–5, 2023)
- Treasure Field – Goldmine Dance Comp (March 24, 2023)
- UH Outreach Faculty – Atamira Dance Firm (April 14–15, 2023)
- EnerGy Nationwide Dance Competitors (April 22–23, 2023)
- UH Mānoa Bands (April 30, 2023)
- ʻIolani Faculties (Might 6, 2023)
- Ballet Hawaii (Might 12–14, 2023)
- Island Pacific Academy (Might 27, 2023)
- Highlight Dance Cup (June 2–3, 2023)
- Rosalie Woodson Dance Academy (June 9–10, 2023)
- Pas De Deux Hawaii (June 16–18, 2023)
- Waipahu Group College for Adults (June 24, 2023)
—By Kelli Abe Trifonovitch