Coordinates: 21°16.280′N 157°48.149′W / 21.27133°N 157.802483°W / 21.27133; -157.802483

The Diamond Head Theatre is a cultural institution in the United States. Calling itself the Broadway of the Pacific, it is located on the slopes of Diamond Head in Honolulu, Hawaii. Opened in 1915, it is Hawaii's oldest performing arts center^[1].

Contents 1 History 2 Past Season 3 Current Season 4 Staff 5 References

[edit] History

An excerpt from its website: On April 28, 1915, a new theatrical group called The Footlights was born when Will Lewers, Mrs. Walter F. Dillingham, Helen Alexander, Margaret Center and Gerrit Wilder appeared in The Amazons by Pinero. The performance took place at the Honolulu Opera House, where our main Post Office on Merchant Street now stands. The legacy of those theatre lovers has grown into the third-oldest, continuously operating theatre in the entire United States.

In 1934, The Footlights reorganized and took on a new name: Honolulu Community Theatre. In the original mission statement still honored today, the theatre committed itself to community service through the art of theatre, involving the people of Hawaii as audience members, stage crew and performers.

During World War II, Honolulu Community Theatre productions entertained thousands of troops at over 300 performances throughout the Pacific (a tradition we continued with the Pacific tour of Ain't Misbehavin' during the 1990 season). Then, in 1952, Honolulu Community Theatre took up residence in the Fort Ruger Theatre, the Army Post's then movie house. Major refurbishments to make that structure a fully modern venue for stage productions included the addition of scene and costume shops, installation of lighting and sound systems, handicapped-accessible restrooms, a first-ever lobby for our patrons and an upstairs addition for expanded office space, spotlights, and sound and lighting boards.

Then, in 1990, came a new name for an old friend and Honolulu Community Theatre became Diamond Head Theatre. With a new energy and professionalism, Diamond Head Theatre is committed to excellence and community involvement now more than ever before.

Each season we offer six mainstage theatrical productions, including five major musicals, on a scale that rivals that of Broadway. We provide theatre workshops to train residents of Hawaii in the theatrical arts. Acting, voice and dance classes for children, teens, and adults are offered throughout the year. The Diamond Head Theatre Shooting Stars, a youth performing arts troupe, provides exposure and polish to the rising young stars of tomorrow. Finally, more than 15,000 volunteer hours per season keep Diamond Head Theatre at the forefront of local theatre and provide volunteers with experience in the arts and job skills in the theatrical industry.

[edit] Past Season

2007 - 2008 Season

The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas
September 21, 2007 – October 7, 2007

Meet Me in St. Louis
November 30, 2007 – December 16, 2007

Barefoot in the Park
February 1, 2008 – February 17, 2008

Flower Drum Song
March 21, 2008 – April 6, 2008

The Producers
May 16, 2008 – June 1, 2008

The Wizard of Oz
July 11, 2008 – July 27, 2008

[edit] Current Season

2008 - 2009 Season

Les Miserables
A Hawaii Community Theatre Premiere
September 26, 2008 – October 12, 2008

Peter Pan
December 5, 2008 – December 31, 2008

Souvenir
A Hawaii Premiere
January 30, 2009 – February 15, 2009

Gypsy
March 20, 2009 – April 5, 2009

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
A Hawaii Premiere
May 15, 2009 – May 31, 2009

The Wedding Singer
A Hawaii Premiere
July 10, 2009 – July 26, 2009

[edit] Staff

Deena Dray, Executive Director

 “As Managing and Executive Director, a position she has held since September 1995, Deena is directly responsible for the management and direction of Diamond Head Theatre. She supervises a staff of thirteen, works with a 40-member Board and interacts regularly with hundreds of volunteers, cast members, and parents and friends of DHT.” 

John Rampage, Artistic Director

 “Diamond Head Theatre Artistic Director John Rampage is well known to Honolulu audiences, having most recently directed and choreographed Hello Dolly!. A 27-time Po'okela Award winner, John directed, choreographed and starred in Diamond Head Theatre's production of Cabaret.
John's work at Diamond Head Theatre also includes directing and choreographing the musical Nine, a recipient of seven Po'okela Awards, Follies, Mame, Cinderella, Victor/Victoria, Phantom, 42nd Street, The Pirates of Penzance, Sondheim's Sunday in the Park with George, Crazy for You, as well as Manoa Valley Theatre's productions of Into the Woods, Grand Hotel, Kiss of the Spider Woman and Side Show. 
In addition, he has headed award-winning productions of Cabaret, Anything Goes, La Cage Aux Folles and Gypsy at Leeward Community College Theatre, and continues to teach musical theatre at Queen Emma Dance, Inc. and Diamond Head Theatre.” 

[edit] References