HPU’s Theatre Program Wins Six Awards Including Best Play

HPU’s theatre program received recognition for their outstanding theatrical productions for the 2020-2021 season, including best play for "A Shot Ran Out" by Michael Hagins. HPU received six awards from BroadwayWorld Hawaii, more than any other university, theatre, or festival in the state.

HPU student Athena Iokepa won the award for Best Performer in a Play for her role in "A Shot Ran Out." BroadwayWorld regional awards are the biggest theatre audience awards, and in 2021, they included streaming productions for award recognition.  

"I think this is a tremendous honor for our theatre program,” said HPU Adjunct Professor of Theatre and Manager Lanaly Cabalo. “During a time when most theatre organizations had to close their doors, HPU was able to provide a safe space for our students and community members to continue doing what they love, telling the important stories that tackle timely issues and provide an outlet for audiences to tune into.”  

HPU offers two theatrical productions of its plays during the fall and spring semesters. HPU is a member of the Hawaii State Theatre Council, and its theatre program has earned numerous awards for acting, directing, ensemble performance, playwriting, and overall production. All productions of HPU’s plays are performed in the Vi and Paul Loo Theatre.    

“Thanks to our production teams that put in all their hard work, we were able to provide a high-quality stream that was as close to an in-person experience as possible,” said Cabalo. “We could showcase the talent we were able to bring together and it's wonderful to see it being acknowledged and honored. The accolades presented to us demonstrate what our program is able to offer for our current and prospective students." 

 

HPU received awards for the following categories: 

Best Direction of a Stream: Lanaly Cabalo – "A Shot Ran Out" by Michael Hagins 

Best Editing of a Stream: Brodie Kinder – "Where Words Once Were" by Finegan Kruckemeyer 

Best Performer in a Play: Athena Iokepa – "A Shot Rang Out" by Michael Hagins 

Best Play: "A Shot Ran Out" by Michael Hagins 

Best Streaming Play: "A Shot Ran Out" by Michael Hagins 

Best Supporting Actor in a Play: Alten Kiakona – "Where Words Once Were" by Finegan Kruckemeyer 

 

For additional information on HPU’s award winning theatre program click here.