Meet MAPA's Staff ...
David Johnston
Executive and Artistic Director
Artistic Director of MAPA since 1992, David has more than 30 years experience directing professional, educational and children's theatre production. He taught theatre workshops and has been an acting coach and directing consultant for the last 25 years. In addition he worked as an acting instructor at the University of Oregon and Lane Community College in Eugene, Oregon. His creative work has included associations with the Northwest Shakespeare Ensemble, New City Theatre, Essential Theatre Alliance, University of Oregon, Augustana College, Lane Community College and Circa 21 Dinner Theatre, where he founded the children's theatre and touring company. Mr. Johnston received his MFA in Theatre/Directing from the University of Oregon and his BA in Speech and Theatre from Augustana College with special studies in theatre management and directing at the University of Minnesota. Some of David's Hawai'i directing credits include: Theophilus North, South Pacific, Music Man, Wit, Tartuffe-Born Again, Twelfth Night, The Boys Next Door, Damien, The Grapes of Wrath, Jesus Christ Superstar (with Keali'i Reichel) All My Sons, Narnia, The Wizard of Oz, and over 30 productions touring to schools throughout Hawai'i.
Adam Burke
Director of Operations and Marketing
Before joining the staff in 2011, Adam was no stranger to MAPA. Both of his children are part of the Academy program and he's had the good fortune to appear in MAPA's productions of South Pacific and Damn Yankees. After studying piano and voice for more than 10 years, he took an extended, unplanned sabbatical from the performing arts while he focused on a career in business. Now, with more than two decades of experience in marketing and operations, Adam is excited to rekindle his love affair with the arts as both a performer and as a member of the MAPA staff. Originally from Chicago and having spent 18 years in Los Angeles, Adam and his family feel blessed to call Maui home and they look forward to being part of the MAPA ohana for many years to come.
Peggy Harmon
Director of Development
Peggy joined the MAPA staff in August 2011 after almost 20 years as a development professional in independent schools. During that time, she served as Director of Development at Seabury Hall, Maui Prepatory Academy and Oak Mountain Academy in Carrollton, Georgia. After receiving her BA in Theatre Arts from Brown University, Peggy spent 15 years as a theater professional. During those years, she worked at Boston's Charles Playhouse, Williamstown Theatre Festival, New York's Public Theatre and as an original cast member in the Broadway production of Big River. Peggy is also the co-author of the acclaimed musical Goblin Market, which ran Off-Broadway at Circle in the Square Downtown and received a special citation in Best Plays of 1985-1986. Currently she sings with the community choir Na Leo Lani O Maui, and with the vocal ensemble, Olinda Chorale. In joining MAPA, Peggy is excited to have the opportunity to blend her passion for education with her passion for the performing arts.
Carolyn Wright
Director of Programs
A long-time teaching artist, Carolyn began working for MAPA as a drama specialist for the Voices program in 1998. Prior to moving to Maui in 1991, Carolyn performed in and directed shows for Kaiser Permanente's Educational Theatre Program in the San Francisco Bay Area as a founding member of the troupe. Carolyn earned her BA in Political Science from Duke University and her MA in Elementary Education from the University of Phoenix. She is also a licensed elementary school teacher in Hawaii.
Kathleen Schulz
Dance Director
Kathleen Schulz has studied modern dance with Martha Graham in New York, jazz with Roland Dupree in Los Angeles and ballet with Nico Cerese in Los Angeles. She has taught dance and performed nationwide. Kathleen has been teaching and choreographing on Maui for over 32 years, the past 19 years with the Academy where she serves as the Dance Director and head costumer.
Letha Yap Palmanteer
Fiscal Operations Manager
Letha first began working for MAPA as an administrative assistant in 2002. After a two year break to Washington State where she and her husband owned a small sign-making and engraving business, she returned to MAPA as the Fiscal Operations Manager. MCC accounting and twenty-two years working with financials has come in handy. Though this local girl lived most of her life on Maui raising three children, she has still managed to travel extensively living in Japan, Washington, Alaska and Europe. She's always open to more travel if it comes her way. People, swimming, reading and travel are her passions.
Leighanna Locke
Front Office Administrator
Leighanna joined the MAPA family in 2005 immediately following her move to Maui from the San Francisco Bay Area and has since worked in various positions in the office and as a teacher. A singer and actress, Leighanna is also often found on the MAPA stage. Her most recents credits include Theophilus North, South Pacific, Othello and The Music Man. Leighanna earned her BFA in Musical Theatre from Notre Dame de Namur University.
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Board of Directors Vinnie Linares- President Dottie Aganos-Vice President Linda Howlett- Secretary Chris Hart- Treasurer Gina Duncan Rochelle Dunning Karen Fischer Auriol Flavell Steve Goldstein Anna Mayeda |
Dance Teachers Katira Arak Barry Brinker Jones Ashiya Carter Ajja DeShayne Katerina Dominguez Nan Guillory Virginia Holt Lee Ann Lawrence Kathleen McKeon Rebecca Owen Camille Romero Kathleen Schulz Katie Talbot Jamy Woodbury |
Drama Teachers Donna Breeden Barry Brinker Jones Ashiya Carter Tanya Delury Kirsten Otterson Rebecca Owen Margherita Pappas Kristi Scott Sally Sefton-Johnston Francis Tau'a Tour Actors Eric Peterson Francis Tau'a |
Photography courtesy of Daniel Bendjy, Lorne Direnfeld, Grins 2 Go, James Gwinn, David Hessemer, David Johnston, Marti Kluth, Gerry Mooney, Eric Rolph, Katie Talbot, and Rebecca Owen.