Honolulu Theatre for Youth

Honolulu, Hawaii

Honolulu Theatre for Youth (HTY) produces professional theater- and drama-education programs that make a difference in the lives of young people, families, and educators in the state of Hawai‘i. Founded in 1955, HTY is one of the oldest and most respected children's theaters in the country. The company has served more than five million people through school and family performances and drama-education programs, and has commissioned more than 300 new plays for young audiences. HTY works primarily through the public and private school systems in the state. Eighty-five percent of all elementary school children on the six major islands of Hawai‘i see at least one HTY production a year; the company reaches out to all children in the state regardless of race, economic condition, or geographic location. A particular focus is developing new work for young people and producing work that draws from or reflects on the cultures that make up modern Hawai‘i. Nearly one-third of HTY's productions have been world premieres, and the percentage is increasing. Drama specialists provide direct services through residencies at schools, professional development for teachers and teaching artists, and theater classes. The company is a member of The Kennedy Center Partners in Education. Honolulu Theatre for Youth looks to the development of new work that speaks to the children and families of its community—of and about their experiences and concerns—in new and fresh ways that will make the American theater richer and more inclusive.

Honolulu Theatre for Youth will produce A Midsummer Night's Dream in a one-hour, four-actor version for audiences from 4th grade through high school. Because of the school schedules in Hawai‘i, all plays must fit into a one-hour time slot. The production will reach approximately 180 schools and will tour statewide to students on the major six Hawaiian islands. O‘ahu performances will also include public shows at HTY's performance home, Tenney Theatre. Each actor is featured in all three worlds of the play: the lover-courtiers, artist-mechanicals, and fairy-gods. The production will be designed to appeal to the cross-cultural mix of students and families that make up the population of Hawai‘i. Every participating teacher will receive an extensive study guide to help prepare students for the performance, which will be augmented by the Shakespeare in American Communities Educational Toolkit. The extended touring schedules will allow HTY to also offer workshops to interested high schools. The ensemble will directly engage students with techniques used in the production. Additionally, HTY will offer an On Stage workshop in Tenney Theatre, inviting teens to participate in a formative exploration of the play with the production's artistic team.

Visit them at: www.htyweb.org