On April 5th Kumu Kahua Theater hosted their annual “The PlayFestival,” a competition between locally submitted screen writers while the audience votes for the winner. Like their mission, each play reflected on local stories, or history about Hawaii. The plays are like a pre-production. The actors acted their part as they read off their script, and on the side of the stage the director would call off the start and end of each scene. Or in other words the director directed the play. The first play was called “Da Play.” There were seven actors. Portraying different people of the theatre staff members. It was like a play on “acting realism.” In the play, the main actor “the owner of Kumu Kahua struggles to keep the theatre alive at the same time tries to come up with new plays for their next season with his staff members. Throughout the play the actors would act out potential plays that would reel people in to watch. Kind of a play on postmodernism. A play about a play about coming up with plays. There were lots of inside jokes. For example, they made a comment about Hawaii 50. Us locals know that the driving scenes are so off. One minute they’re in Kakaako, the next minute they end up in North Shore. In my opinion, there was too much inside jokes about the people of Kumu Kahua that only the members of Kumu Kahua or close friends would only catch. Holistically, I thought it was a unique play. I got to see the pre-production of a play so that was cool.

Again the theatre is small. When you enter the theatre, the stage is smack dab in the center while the audience seating is on the side. I suggest using the bathroom and or take care of business before the play because in order for you to leave the theatre, you would have to cut into the play and embarrass yourself. For each play, the stage, actually the entire theatre, provided the environment for each play being held. For example, I went to a play called “Not one Batu.” It was a play on the meth usage in Hawaii, and the theatre was covered in graffiti and the stage looked like a park for shady people doing shady business. Tonight’s stage was simple. Maybe because there were multiple plays being read off that it had a universal look. As far as drinks and food, tonight they provided ice cream during the intermission. Other times they sell snacks and drinks outside during the intermission. Other than that, the bathrooms are right outside the theatre. The seats are snug together so when you do come, make sure you take care of your hygiene. Before the play starts, make sure you use the bathroom before taking your seat. If you were to go to the bathroom during the play you would need to cut through the stage and in between actors.

I was born and raised in Hawaii. I love the work that they do. Because all of their plays are written according to the people of Hawaii I’m happy to know somewhere someone is keeping the local roots alive. Today the modern world creeps into town with new technology, degrees, and the idea of expansion tramples on my nostalgic roots growing up in Kalihi. SO if you are local, do catch the next play.