Entertaining Hawaii Audiences For Over 50 Years

THE THEATRE

About Us   |  Staff   |  Board of Directors  |  Location & Parking

About Us.

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In 1969, a group of graduate students in the University of Hawaii Theatre Department founded Hawaii Performing Arts Company (HPAC).  Their desire was to create Hawaii’s first professional resident adult theatre organization.  It was envisioned that this organization would nurture Hawaii’s theatre artists while concurrently providing live, stage entertainment for community audiences.

Our Mission

Manoa Valley Theatre was established as a community workplace which would benefit local performing artists and audiences.

At a special Board of Directors planning retreat held in October 2004, MVT’s mission statement was discussed and restated as follows:

“To entertain and enrich Hawaii’s audiences and artists through the production and promotion of live theatre.”

The principles which guide fulfillment of this mission are:

  • Striving to consistently provide quality entertainment
  • A commitment to develop Hawaii theatre artists
  • Producing challenging, thought-provoking, educational experiences
  • Acceptance of artistic risks
  • An expectation of professionalism at all levels
  • Fiscal responsibility

Four Decades of Development & Growth

In its first decade, while building an audience for its plays, the young company grew quickly and soon institutionalized with business development of its board of directors and the hiring of professional staff.

Its second decade saw significant expansion in its stage production capabilities, opportunities for community artists, a successful $1M capital campaign that resulted in the erection of MVT’s current 150-seat performance and administrative facility, and adoption of the d.b.a. “Manoa Valley Theatre.”

Its third decade saw increased artistic diversity within the annual season lineup, four guest residencies with national award winning playwrights, and expansion of its community outreach program for schools, senior citizens, and social service agency clients.

MVT’s fourth decade further crystallized its commitment to stimulate audiences and artists through play production choices that were consistently contemporary, enlightening, entertaining, and provocative by the acclamation of patrons, press, and practitioners.  Most plays are presented by MVT in their Hawaii debut.

Moving Forward

As “Honolulu’s Off-Broadway Playhouse,” MVT entered the 21st Century with a clear vision of artistry and community service that enhances Hawaii’s cultural community, entertains its residents, and develops its artists.

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From its humble beginnings in 1969, and aided by tremendous community support, Manoa Valley Theatre has over its forty-seven years transformed into a semi-professional theatre that is both dynamic and exciting.

Choosing mainstream contemporary plays and musicals from Broadway, Off-Broadway, and major regional theatres, MVT’s annual season is a showcase of great theatre productions that features Hawaii talent entertaining Hawaii audiences.

Staff.

Day to day management of the theatre is accomplished by a full-time professional staff of 7, part-time professional staff of 4, and 2 professional consultants. MVT’s Producing Director is responsible for all business and artistic operations of the theatre.

Kip WilbornExecutive Artistic Director
The Executive Artistic Director is responsible to the Board of Directors for the artistic and business management of the organization including play selections, marketing, budgeting and financial reporting, administrative staffing, artistic staffing, and fundraising. Kip has been in the position since July 1, 2019.
Sara WardAssistant Executive Director & House Manager
The Assistant Executive Director/House Manager is responsible for supporting the Executive Artistic Director in overall management of the Theatre, organization and staffing of the business office and box office, and daily business office transactions. House management duties include responsibility for operation of the box office, performance room and other public areas of the theatre facility during performances, overseeing operations during performances, and recruitment of volunteer ushers. Sara has been in the position since 2004.
Braddoc DeCairesProduction Director
The Production Director is responsible for the day-to-day implementation of the theatre’s play production program including coordinating and managing each production’s budget, schedule and personnel, facilitating the accomplishment of tasks between production departments, and assisting as an additional tech assistant as needed. Brad has been in the position since 2017.
Jennifer OyerDirector of Philanthropy
The Director of Philanthropy works with the Executive Artistic Director and the Board’s Development Committee to secure contributed income for the theatre, and to provide donor stewardship to individual and corporate contributors. Jennifer has been in the position since 2019.
Dylan Chase LeeTechnical Director
The Technical Director is responsible for the construction of the stage sets, configuring of the stage/audience platforming, maintaining stock of stage set units and scene shop equipment, and maintenance of the theatre facility. Dylan has been in the position since 2017 following several previous MVT tech assignments.
Erich SteinwandtAdministrative Assistant
The Administrative Assistant is the primary box office staff member during daytime box office hours, coordinates preview attendance and playbill advertising, and provides general administrative support to the business office. Erich has been in the position since 2003.
Jennifer HartCostumer Supervisor
The Costumer Supervisor is responsible for the design, construction, coordination and maintenance of the theatre’s costumes. Costume and wardrobe volunteers are trained and coordinated by the Costumer. Jennifer has been in the position since 2016.

Part-time Positions

Kristin JacksonDirector of Public Relations
The Director of Public Relations is the media liaison for MVT and implements play publicity and community relations programs. Kristin has been in the position since 2012.
Liza SanchezBar Manager
The Bar Manager is responsible for the operation and staffing of the concessions stand during performances, and for ordering product and maintaining inventory. Liza has assisted in the concessions stand since 2005 and has been Bar Manager since 2007.
Jennifer MuehleBox Office Assistant
The Box Office Assistant staffs the walk-up window at the box office prior to all performances. Jennifer has been in the position since 2008.
Alyson WongBox Office Assistant
The Box Office Assistant staffs the walk-up window at the box office prior to all performances. Alyson has been in the position since 2005.

Volunteer Positions

Troy LudwickComputer Systems Consultant
The Computer Systems Consultant monitors the health of the organization’s computerized business systems, advises on hardware and software acquisitions, and provides technical and repair assistance. Troy has been in this position since 2015.
Christian GehrkeWebmaster
The Webmaster designs and maintains the theatre’s website. Christian has been in the position since 2017.

Board of Directors.

MVT’s Board of Directors is comprised of up to 40 volunteers representing Oahu’s business and professional community. All members are required to actively participate on a standing committee.

Jeffrey S. Portnoy, President
Attorney-at-Law
Cades Schutte

Peter Ehrman, Vice President
Senior Vice President and Investment Consultant
Morgan Stanley

Neil Field, Secretary
Public Relations Counselor
Kailua, Hawaii

Bob Taylor, Treasurer
Chief Executive Officer (ret.), Maui Divers
Honolulu, Hawaii

George B. Apter
Vice President & General Counsel
Hawaii Permanente Medical Group

Norbert M. Buelsing
Senior Vice President
CBRE

Alyson Nakamura
Vice President and Corporate Secretary
Alexander & Baldwin, Inc.

Barbara Nickerson
Community Volunteer
Kaneohe, Hawaii

Scott D. Larimer
Realtor Associate
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Hawai’i Realty

Karen Mukai
President and Chief Operating Officer
Abilities Unlimited, a dba of Winners at Work, Inc.

Michelle Salvador
Branch Manager (Manoa), Central Pacific Bank
Honolulu, Hawaii

Ramona Sayre
Community Volunteer
Honolulu, Hawaii

Lori Sun
Associate General Counsel
Hawaii Gas

Richard S. Morris
President – Hawaii Operations
Benefit Capital Financial Services, Inc.

Mark Taylor
Senior Vice President – Risk Analysis Division
First Hawaiian Bank

Jean Trapido-Rosenthal
Community Volunteer
Honolulu, Hawaii

Mary Kubota
Community Volunteer
Honolulu, Hawaii

Alice Tucker
Community Volunteer
Honolulu, Hawaii

Jacce Mikulanec
President and Executive Director
Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii

Hank Chapin, Ph.D.
Community Volunteer
Honolulu, Hawaii

Wendy Goodenow
President/Owner
HNL Travel Associates

Nancy Evans Tudor
Managing Member
Tudor Wilson & Associates CPAs, LLC

Dave Wilson
Captain, and Director of Training
Resort Air, LLC

Tom Ishii
Principal Broker
Ishii Realty

David Kennedy
Senior Vice President / Marketing
Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Melanie Kosaka
Owner & Founder
First Daughter Mediaworks

William Lindemann
President
Lindemann Construction

Matthew Mishina
Community Volunteer
Mililani, Hawaii

Jill Tokunaga
Senior Director, North America & Hawaii Sales
Hawaiian Airlines

Location & Parking.

Location

We are located at:
2833 East Manoa Road
Honolulu, Hawaii 96822 (Manoa Valley)

Parking

Street parking is available along East Manoa Road and in the neighborhood.
Please avoid the bus stop, fire station, and setback from neighbors’ driveways.

Off-street parking in the Safeway/Manoa Marketplace parking lot is authorized for MVT patrons while attending performances.
Unauthorized parking is subject to tow.