Prop and Costume Building, June 16-20, with Dian Athena Hermes

Dian Athena Hermes is a dedicated music and theater educator with over 25 years of experience. Currently, she serves at Wai‘alae Elementary Public Charter School in Honolulu, Hawai‘i. Mrs. Hermes holds a Bachelor of Music degree in K-12 Music Education from St. Olaf College and is presently pursuing an accelerated degree in Hawaiian Music. Additionally, she is the founder and director of the Wai‘alae Performing Arts Company, in which she produces, directs, designs and teaches engaging theater experiences for children in grades 3 through 9

Dian’s prop and costume building workshop will provide hands-on experience in designing and creating stage elements for theater productions. Participants will learn basic crafting techniques, including painting, sewing, and assembling props that will be used in our production of Junie B. Jones, Jr. The workshop will emphasize creativity, problem-solving, and teamwork as students collaborate on their projects. Alongside artistic skills, participants would gain an understanding of how props and costumes contribute to storytelling and character development.

Preparing for Auditions, June 23-27, with Aubrey Lee Staley

Aubrey Lee Staley is the founder of ALA Hawai’i, a boutique agency and management company representing actors and models. Raised in Hawaii’s vibrant entertainment scene, Aubrey is the daughter of the creators of the Diamond Head Theatre Showkidz (now known as The Shooting Stars). Her early training included programs at Punahou Dance, 24VII Danceforce, and with Mr. Bright prior to the birth of the IABK Foundation. Aubrey guest teaches at Punahou School, FPAC, DHT, Mo’olelo Studios and the University of Hawai’i.

In Aubrey’s workshop, students will learn musical theatre audition techniques, for both the stage and camera – including song selection, vocal technique, resume-building, acting through song, cold readings and dance calls. Participants will learn how to adjust their performance for the camera, master commercial auditions, and practice cold reading and self-taping techniques for film and television. The week includes a professional headshot session which will provide each student with a high-quality industry headshot. The workshop culminates in a mock audition where students will showcase their audition skills, receiving constructive feedback from instructors and industry professionals, and gaining insight into what casting directors look for behind the table.

Storytelling Workshop, June 30-July 3 , with Timothy Bright

Timothy Bright remembers when watching Saturday rehearsals with his Poppo was infinitely better than playing outside while growing up. He received his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting from the Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers’ University where he had the privilege of learning and performing at Shakespeare’s Globe Theater in London. Follow him @mr.bright.schoolofstories

As fun as it is to put on a show for the people we love and the communities we live in, the real reason why we do all of these things is so that we can tell really good stories.  Stories are some of the most important ways we have learned to communicate and connect with each other, ourselves, and the worlds we live in.  In this workshop, we’ll break down what it means to serve the stories we get to tell when we perform them in front of other people, and how we can all best give ourselves over to this process together.  

Special Skills, July 7-11, team taught by Friends of IABK

The most popular sessions from summers past – join us for this week of theatre play and fun!! Topics include Improvisation with Kimee Balmilero and Susan Hawes, Combat Technique with Alex Durrant, Dialects with Rob Duval and Pidgin with Devon Nekoba.

Creative Movement and Choreography, July 14-18, with Lisa Herlinger-Thompson

Lisa Herlinger-Thompson is a Bright Kid who grew up in Hawaiʻi and teaches elementary school Dance in the New York City Department of Education. She has been involved with the IABK summer program since 2018. She received her MA in Dance Education from New York University, and was a participant in NYU’s first Dance Education Study Abroad Program to Uganda in 2006. She was a founding member of LIMBIC SIX, company member of Troika Ranch, and continues to perform and choreograph in NYC. Lisa also dances Hula in the Maʻiki Aiu Lake tradition with Nā Lehua Melemele.

Dance. Explore. Choreograph. Perform. Do you love to dance to express feelings, emotions, ideas, and relationships? Come move your body through warm-ups, learn choreography, practice performance techniques, and create your own choreography. This workshop will introduce the elements of dance and develop skills needed for dance performance and creative process.

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