Board of Directors
Mark M. Murakami, Esq. – President
Mark Murakami is an attorney practicing at the Damon Key Leong Kupchak Hastert law firm in Honolulu. His areas of emphasis are real estate litigation, condemnation, land use and probate and trust litigation. He is a Captain in the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve and supervises the Reserve program throughout Hawaii, Guam and Oceania. He serves on the boards of the Hawaii State Bar Association, Hawaii Children’s Action Network (formerly known as Good Beginnings Alliance), and Hawaii Children’s Action Network Speaks. He was Valedictorian of the William S. Richardson School of Law, Class of 1999 and was an Honors Graduate from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. He performed in CPAC’s Pajama Game in 1987 and Castle Theater Guild’s Sweet Charity in 1988.
Clarke Bright – Vice President
Ligaya Stice, M.D., Ph.D. – Vice President, Executive Director
As a child growing up in Kane`ohe, Ligaya looked forward each spring to Mr. Bright’s exciting musical productions and knew that she wanted to be a part the magic when it was her time to attend Castle High School. Though her professional career has landed her far from musical theatre, she still holds dear the lessons impressed upon her by her mentor. She is currently a practicing anesthesiologist and an Assistant Clinical Professor at the John A Burns School of Medicine. After graduating from the University of Hawai`i, she attended medical school at Boston University, completed an anesthesiology residency at Cornell University and went on to sub-specialty training in pediatric anesthesia at The Children’s Hospital in Denver, Colorado. Ligaya believes that arts education is an essential part of the total development of all children and as such, has also served on the boards of the Honolulu Theatre for Youth and the Hawaii Theatre Center.
Allan J.N. Lau, M.Ed. – Secretary
Allan J.N. Lau is an elementary school teacher at Ka`imiloa Elementary School in `Ewa Beach. A graduate of `Iolani School, the University of Hawai`i and Chaminade University, he has a B.A. in Speech and an M.Ed in Elementary Education, along with dual licensure with the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board in elementary education and special education. He also is the director the NextGen Company at 24-VII Danceforce Studio in Kāne`ohe. Allan began his affiliation with Mr. Bright as a dancer in a production of Flower Drum Song, and performed in numerous CPAC shows under Mr. Bʻs direction. He was the first production manager for the Castle Performing Arts Center from 1985-1991. He then rejoined Mr. B at Palikū Theatre in 2003, serving as production manager again from 2005-2014.
Malia Espinda, M.B.A., M.Ed. – Treasurer
Born and raised in Kailua, Hawaii, Malia Espinda is the Government Affairs Specialist in the Office of the Superintendent, overseeing the legislative strategy and coordination for the Hawai`i State Department of Education. She marks her success in the progressive laws that have been passed and the teams she is a part of building, always working together towards improving Hawaii’s education, healthcare, and social service systems. Malia recently completed her MBA, with a Healthcare Management certification, from the University of Hawai`i at Manoa’s Shidler College of Business, previously earned a M.Ed also from UH, an undergraduate degree from New York University, and is a proud public school graduate of Kalaheo High School. Nothing provides Malia more joy than the love and continued good health of her very-much-a-teenager daughter, supportive husband, 81 year old mother, life-long friends, two slobbering dogs, and a sunrise walk on Kailua Beach.
Moira Bright – Director
Jade Stice – Director
Jade Stice was born and raised in Kane`ohe and is an alumni of Castle High School. As young child, she participated in local arts education – taking gymnastics and ballet on the Windward side. Beginning in middle school and throughout her early college years, she was fortunate to have worked with Ron Bright. Through Mr. Bright’s guidance and preparation, Jade was cast in the Original Broadway Company of Miss Saigon in 1991. Other notable successes in NYC include a national tour of Jekyll & Hyde, performing solos at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center and working with award winning composers such as Brian Yorkey, Jason Robert Brown and lyricist Tim Rice. After 15 successful years in NYC, Jade returned to the islands. She is the state program manager for Family Hui Hawaii, a peer led parenting support group whose mission it is to prevent violence in the home. She is also a certified natural childbirth educator, and an advocate for women and children’s health and well-being. She is married to Windward Chiropractor Dr. James Finley. They have 3 young children. Jade recently helped to co-found the I’m A Bright Kid Foundation with her sister Ligaya Stice in order to continue to legacy of Ron Bright through the promotion of the performing arts and education.
Meri “Mika” Morisada, M.D. – Director
Dr. Morisada works as a pediatrician in private practice in Honolulu. Born and raised in Pearl City, she is a Cum Laude graduate of `Iolani School’s first class of women. Mika received her Biology degree from Brown University and Medical Degree from the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine where she received the Glascow Women in Medicine Award, Reddy Award in Pediatrics, and graduated with honors as a member of Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society. She is an Assistant Professor of UH’s Pediatric Residency Training Program where she received her own training. Her passions include regularly dancing jazz and ballet and helping Hawaii’s families raise healthy children. Most important to her is God and family – husband Joe and kids Josh and Dan, her sibs and a slew of nephews and nieces whom she adores! She is extremely grateful to be a part of continuing the legacy of Ronald E. Bright, her “Poppo.”
Jodi Leong – Director
Jodi Leong is press secretary and deputy director of communications for Governor David Ige. She is a former television news reporter and anchor who worked at KITV 4 and KHNL News 8 from 1991 until 2012 when she left television news to serve as director of communications at the University of Hawai`i System. Jodi graduated from Castle High School before attending the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, Amherst College and the University of Hawai`i at Mānoa, earning degrees in Broadcast Journalism and Psychology with minors in Political Science and French. She has trained in ballet, tap and voice and continues her training in jazz dance every weekend. Jodi has played Maria in “West Side Story,” Eliza Doolittle in “My Fair Lady,” Dorothy in “The Wiz” and Diana Morales in “A Chorus Line” – all under the direction of mentor Ron Bright.
Leesa Souza – Director
Leesa is a Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner. Leesa has been a nurse for over 25 years with the majority of her career in Critical Care. She has done medical missionary work all over the world serving on a national critical care team for major disasters as well as assisting with open heart surgeries in third world countries. Born and raised on the Windward side of Oahu and an alumni of Castle Theatre Guild, she has a special passion for serving the very community she grew up in. She is most proud of being a wife to Ka’ala and mom to her 3 children.