The TYB Experience

[Kiki]

This has been quite the journey for the TYB cast and myself! I watched a video of last night's rehearsal and I almost cried. Gathering and trusting the RIGHT people with your work and vision is so very important for this process. . . Well, any process I guess. I can honestly say that I have gathered the right people ;D. I am eternally grateful for my team. They are creative, determined and so passionate about this show and about Kipuka and it shows in their work. And this is only after 3 days of rehearsal! Needless to say, this is going to be an experience worth paying $20 for. The $20 will be worth even more if the audience is a part of this entire process (via forums, etc.) which is what we strive to create.

Lily brought it to my attention that this piece reflects where Im at in my life. Apparently I'm at an interesting space in life, because its showing in my work. Space. Time. Reality. They are all shifting. We'll see where it takes us. . .

[Kiki]

We are going on week two of rehearsal and so far so good! I really like where our interpretations are taking us. Last night Alvin Chan, our guest artist who writes and performs for Honolulu Theatre For Youth, came and choreographed some sweet moves. He is planning on joining us at least once a week. The chorus LOVED working with him. I LOVE that he is having fun working and playing with us. This guy is an INCREDIBLE talent! He studied Asian Theater in China and Japan under National Treasures who are masters in their craft of Jingju and Kabuki. So you can just imagine what an honor it is for us to call Alvin "friend" and SHOW SHAPER. Thats what I've decided to call all guest artist who participate in TYB, "Show Shapers.". Yup! I like it. Keeping it. I can't wait for other Show Shapers to come :-) I hear Annie Lokomaika'i Lipscomb might make an appearance! ;-)

I have so much to do! I still haven't printed our fundraiser tickets. Our fundraiser is April 29 at Blaisdell Park in Pearl City. We are pre selling Laulau Plates! You can request chicken or pork. Comes with rice and salad. Only $8! . . . So there's that. I recently created our event via Brown Paper Tickets, which will be 1 out of 2 venues selling tickets for the show. We are going to make it possible to purchase tickets via kipukatheater.com.

I spoke with Cindy R today about posters. Thank you Cindy for finding someone to make our posters and for devoting so much energy to us! Kipuka and Jesus love you, Cindy!

I also chatted with the co-owner of Imua Lounge about helping each other out. I love the new co-owner. Shes my Bu Brandy's sister, DiDi. So it looks like the TYB after party will be held at Imua's. There's talk of creating a "Kipuka shot" where an audience brings their stub to Imua's and orders the Kipuka shot, they get a discount. They're great over there. I get a family vibe there and i love me some family vibes!

Would anyone else like to volunteer their time and energy to Kipuka? Git at me here or on FB!

[Kiki]

TYB is moving right on schedule as far as blocking goes. I'm falling behind on everything else. Let's look at the upside first: our opening date has changed to May 18 @ 7:30pm (which now makes so much more sense), blocking is on schedule, met with Collaborative Dance Foundation about the space and other logistics, no one has run away from us yet, my cast is awesome, Aunty Coupons gave me David Saar's email and now he knows about us, we get to be in the space a lot sooner than expected. That's a lot of ups, eh? Oh! Almost forgot to mention we have a costume designer/stage manager! Tanya Tavorn, a local artist/friend/Kipuka follower since 2005 has come back home from New York and she is designing TWO Kipuka shows!! Tanya is our rising star who works with recycled and found items. So happy to have her on board The Yellow Boat!
The not-so-up side of this is that time is going by quickly and there is so much to do! This is such a learning experience in every way I tell you! I just scheduled a photo shoot for next Monday, which means press releases are held off until then. I need to
design and print posters and fliers by Sunday, sell fundraiser tickets, pray people buy tickets for the show, get pallets, build & paint stage, advertise, advertise, advertise. Whew. Tutu's gotta get used to this.

[Lily]

hmmmm, i don't like forums....call me, email me or text me but please don't ask me to look something up on the internet! have a GREAT day!!!!!

[daneesh]

I just wanted to say how much I enjoy our "check in's" before warm ups. It relaxes my soul and opens me up to new experiences. Kudos to our 2 wonderful directors!