David C. Johnston
Artistic Director

Artistic Director of MAPA since 1992, David has more than 30 years experience directing professional, educational and children’s theatre productions. 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, Next to Normal, Les Miserables, Wit, Tartuffe-Born Again, Twelfth Night, The Boys Next Door, Damien, The Grapes of Wrath, Jesus Christ Superstar (with Keali’i Reichel).

Carolyn Wright
Executive Director

A long-time teaching artist, Carolyn has worked as a nonprofit arts educator and administrator since 1986. Starting out as a drama teacher for MAPA in 1998, she has worn multiple hats for the organization including Director of Programs, Marketing Director, Development Director, Chief Operating Officer, and Executive Director. Carolyn is Vice President of the Wailuku Community Association (WCA) and has served on multiple community advisory committees including Maui Economic Development Board’s Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) Strategy Committee, Wailuku Performing Arts Alliance (WPAA), the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) for the Ka‘ahumanu Avenue Community Corridor, and the Wailuku Arts District Management Plan Committee.

Before working for MAPA, Carolyn was a founding member of Kaiser Permanente’s Educational Theatre Program in the San Francisco Bay Area, performing in and directing educational theatre shows for grades K-12. She earned her undergraduate degree in Political Science from Duke University and her master’s degree in Elementary Education from the University of Phoenix. A passionate advocate for the arts, Carolyn believes deeply in the power of the performing arts to transform individuals and communities.

John Rowehl
Business Manager

John Rowehl holds a B.A. in Philosophy from Stanford University and an MFA in Music from Cornell University. In 2012-13, he served as Interim Director of Choral Activities at Cornell. Prior to that, he was affiliated with the Cornell Glee Club and Chorus for over a decade, as Assistant Conductor. He also held an appointment as Associate Director of Choral Music 2010-15. He conducted Cornell choral groups at such venues as Alice Tully Hall in Lincoln Center and the Kennedy Center, as well as on international tours to Brazil, China, and the U.K.

After enduring 29 winters in the Northeast, John came to his senses and moved home to Hawaiʻi, where he holds posts as Music Minister at St. John’s Episcopal Church and Artistic Director and Conductor of Maui Choral Arts Association, and occasionally teaches at UH Maui College. Before joining MAPA, John was Executive Director of the Maui Chamber Orchestra.

Maui Academy of Performing Arts (MAPA) is an equal opportunity provider and employer. MAPA does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status in any of its activities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, hiring and firing of staff, selection of volunteer and vendors, and provision of services. We are committed to providing and inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our staff, clients, volunteers, subcontractors, vendors, and clients.