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I n c i t e / I ns i ght
stores, it is unsurprising that we have not a single
theatrical or dance supply store on the island. Living
within sight of Mauna Kea, the tallest mountain on
earth, in a town just 90 minutes north of Kilauea’s
live volcano, inspires us to reach higher and with
immediacy. To get there, we are resourceful beyond
measure.
The Two-Person Department
Yet, even with institutional support, we as a two-
faculty department have many of the same
struggles as other teaching artists: limited space,
budget and time; competing priorities such as
committee meetings, curriculum mapping and
development, and advising; and sharing our talent
pool with other extracurricular activities. In order
to transcend the limits of our program and expose
our students to the arts beyond our classrooms, we
engage with local organizations.
Big Bonds on the Big Island
Our chorus performs at many off-campus events,
including the Hawai`i State Chorus Festival in
Honolulu. The Waimea Community Theatre presents
two plays a year in our school theatre—a space
regularly rented by this and other non-profit groups.
The nearby 500-seat regional arts center, Kahilu
Theatre, has been an invaluable “big-sister”
organization to us; their technical department
provides maintenance and assistance for our
lighting and sound systems. Our classes go to
see professional touring companies, tour their art
exhibits, and take their master classes. Our students
and staff participate in various productions,
internships, and training opportunities with resident
programs such as the Prince Dance Institute and
the Kahilu Youth Theatre Troupe.
W i n te r 20 1 9
cultural training but no performance space, our
school lacks a hula studies program but we have a
stage.
Our International Thespian Society (Chapter 7723)
and I provided the technical design and support
as well as the house management for about 200
audience members from the local and school
community. The production was so successful and
unique to both the hula and theatre communities
here that we currently are preparing for a March
2019 encore performance at Honoka`a People’s
Theatre.
A Culture of Aloha
Growing the Parker School cultural and performing
arts community is where the magic happens for me.
We manifest our greatest potential when people
from across our school and local community feel
changed, inspired and entertained in the spaces
held down and open by our program. We strive to
create, sing, dance, and play with aloha, that is,
with life force and love. At best, our work not only
educates and entertains but helps us understand
how the teaching and learning of performing arts
increase our capacities as human beings, at home
on this island and in the greater world
Parker School Dramatiques’ Mother Courage and Her
Children. Clockwise from top: Stacee Firestone, Katie Carey,
Ellie Carey, Ethan Tawater, Kouske Soler, Taiga Okada.
Hula Drama
To date, my favorite school-community
collaboration is the 2018 co-production of The
Romance of Lā`ieikawai: A Hula Drama. A first-
ever for Parker School, this project brought over
25 cultural practitioners and their families from
Helele`i Pua`o Waipi`o (a hula hālau or school)
and the Hawaiian Cultural Center of Hāmākua
(from our neighboring town of Honoka`a) together
in a scripted and rehearsed production of hula,
chanting, and storytelling. Their groups have the
Photo Credit: Parker School
Angela Dee Kūliaikanu’u Alforque, Ed.D is the
director of performing arts at Parker School in
Kamuela, Hawaii.