Auditions for “Hoʻoilina”
Hoʻoilina – Audition Notice
Written and directed by MFA Candidate Ākea Kahikina
Want to make people laugh during this dreary pandemic? E hoʻomakeʻaka kākou! Please audition for the funny and zany Hoʻoilina, coming to UHMʻs Kennedy Mainstage in April! It’s a hoot and a holler!
Submission deadline: End of Thursday, November 4th, 2021
Please submit audition via Google Forms here.*
*Complete instructions on audition requirements are located in the link, including three required video submissions. See link for details.
TIMELINE:
Actors must be available in-person for the following timeline:
Rehearsals: Late January – April 8th
Tech: April 9th – April 14th
Production: April 15-24, 2022
FRI/SAT 7:30pm
SUN 2:00pm
In-person audience pending CDC guidelines
SYNOPSIS:
Set in a pre-pandemic Hawai‘i upon the luxurious slopes of Lēʻahi, Hoʻoilina is a farcical hana keaka that knocks on the door of a Kanaka Maoli family anxiously poised for a will reading that will determine the fate of a huge inheritance from their beloved matriarch (Mrs. Ellis). Just as the will is about to be read, a quirky Texan stranger appears at the door, fixin’ to find out about her estranged grandmother. As zany chaos ensues, family secrets are revealed, causing the family to question their own relationships, identity, and future as Kanaka while being insidiously constricted by the pressures of capitalism and cultural loss. Hoʻoilina is a multi-lingual production (ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi, Pidgin, ʻŌlelo Māhū, English, and Texan.)
What we’re looking for in a cast:
– A fabulous sense of comedic timing and a love to make others laugh
– A firm grasp on the languages of the character
– A deep aloha for our lāhui, the willingness to work hard for them, and being open to learn and grow
– People that enjoy performing, are a joy to work with, and who kuʻupau i ka hana
– People that believe in this story about “not feeling Hawaiian enough” and want to create change
CHARACTERS:
NANE – Identifies as māhū, plays around 40-50s. Estate manager for Mrs. Ellis. Master of comedic timing. *Equally speaks ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi, Pidgin, and ʻŌlelo Māhū. **Actor should be comfortable doing drag, hula, and singing.
NOE – Identifies as wahine, plays around 40-50s. Executive assistant for Mrs. Ellis. Runs a tight ship. *Equally speaks ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi, English, and Pidgin. **Actor should be comfortable with fight choreography, hula, and singing.
DANNY – Identifies as māhū, plays around 40-50s. House chef for Mrs. Ellis. Silent leader of the pack. *Speaks mostly Pidgin and ʻŌlelo Māhū, with substantial ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi, including mimicking an old womanʻs voice in ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi. **Actor should be comfortable doing drag and hula.
KAIMANA – Identifies as kāne, plays around 20s. Hānai son of Mrs. Ellis. Opposes all things American. *Speaks mostly ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi and some English. **Actor should be comfortable in malo, fight choreography, kiss scene, and some hula.
NICK – Identifies as kāne, plays around 20s. Hānai son of Mrs. Ellis. Embraces all things American. *Speaks mostly English with substantial ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi. **Actor should be comfortable in malo, fight choreography, and some hula.
LILI-LEI – Identifies as wahine, plays around 20s. Mrs. Ellis’ estranged granddaughter fixin’ to find her family at all costs. *Speaks heavy Texan and some ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi. **Actor should be comfortable with fight choreography, kiss scene, and some hula.
KALEO – Identifies as kāne, plays around 40s. The family lawyer with an impossible task of peacekeeping while reading the will. *Speaks mostly English with substantial ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi. **Actor should be comfortable in malo and some hula.
DEPARTMENTAL CASTING POLICIES:
“The priority of the Department to cast all roles in our Kennedy Theatre Mainstage and Earle Ernst Lab Theatre productions from among currently enrolled UHM students; other UH system students, faculty, and staff are also welcome to audition from within the UH system.”
“If an insufficient number of UH students attend auditions to enable a play to be cast, the director may cast from those outside the UH system. In all circumstances casting priority is given to UHM students first, then to UH system students, faculty, and staff.”
“Occasionally, if the special nature of a production demands it (large cast, unusual skills, etc.), auditions may be opened to those outside the UH system. These cases will be decided by the Director as part of the season play selection.”
Please review the Departmental Casting Policies page for further information.
IMAGE:
Dept. of Theatre + Dance
1770 East-West Rd Honolulu HI 96822
Main Office: (808) 956-7677
Box Office: (808) 956-7655
