MAPA is nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization governed by a volunteer Board of Directors
President
Dr. Virginia Cantorna
Vice President
Michael Tibbott
Treasurer
Mason Williams
Secretary
Marion Haller
Members At Large
Kathy Collins
Kevin McCord
Lisa Mosbarger
Sarah Rodriguez
Kristina Shugars
David Spee
flo wiger
David Johnston
Artistic Director
david@mauiacademy.org
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
carolyn@mauiacademy.org
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.
Hoku Pavao
Assistant Artistic Director
hoku@mauiacademy.org
Hoku Pavao Jones is a graduate of Baldwin High School and the American Musical & Dramatic Academy in New York City. Since returning to Maui to perform in MAPA’s Educational Theatre tour show,
We Call Dem Slippahs, Hoku has been seen in a variety of roles (including Gigi in Miss Saigon and Jovie in Elf). In recent years,
Hoku has branched out and begun to develop her directing skills as well. For the last 5 years, she has served as MAPA’s Front Office Administrator & Academy Registrar. Recently Hoku has taken on a new and important role in the organization as MAPA’s Assistant Artistic Director.
Ricky Jones
Facilities Director
Meghan Reyes
Academy Program Director & Teaching Artist
Meghan Reyes comes with 20 years experience as an educator, community leader, choreographer, and dancer. After graduating high school, Meghan moved to Los Angeles where she was accepted into the prestigious Edge Performing Arts Center scholarship program and worked directly with choreographers such as Mandy Moore, Adam Parson, Malaya, Terri Best, Eddie Garcia, Nappytabs, the late Gregg Russel and many more.
After dancing professionally for 8 years, Meghan founded Fusion Dance Project with her husband Tito in Hayward, CA. For the past 13 years, Meghan and Tito had the privilege to help shape and train over 1500 dancers of all ages. Together they created an award winning competitive program, unique stage productions that fuse all genres of dance and mentored many of their dancers to become choreographers and teachers within their community.
As an educator, Meghan fuses anatomy focused technical training with creating a positive mindset based on self love and creates a safe environment to explore each individual’s talents and challenges.
“My classes provide opportunities for connection, self exploration, technique, and most of all fun! I strive to build a trusting relationship with my students so that I can guide them to see and achieve their potential. I want my students to walk away from my classroom feeling seen, challenged, accepted and ready to face anything.”
Tito Reyes
Lead Teaching Artist
Dance was introduced to Tito at the age of 8 through break dancing in his hometown of Santa Maria, California. There he learned how to pop, animate, tut, wave, and lock with one of the first California breakdance crews “West Coast Crew”. At 11 he was introduced to Jazz, Ballet, Modern, and Theatrical Dance which led him to receive a full scholarship to attend The Joffrey Ballet School at the age of 13. Other notable companies he has trained with are Pittsburgh Ballet Theater, San Francisco Ballet, Edge Performing Arts Center, Steps on Broadway and Broadway Dance Center.
“In my classes, I use dance as a platform to teach my students how to face life with confidence, efficiency and problem solving. I am very happy to be back in Maui working with MAPA. With my knowledge, I am excited to shape our artists of all ages to be open to creative ideas, discover their artistic eye, strengthen their technical base and communicate diverse storytelling in their movement.”
Jeffrey Scott Parsons
Marketing Director & Teaching Artist
jeffrey@mauiacademy.org
After graduating from Brigham Young University with a BFA in Music Dance Theatre, Jeff moved to Los Angeles where he has lived for the past 13 years as a musical theatre professional. Onstage credits include Bobby Child in Crazy for You (San Diego Musical Theatre and Moonlight Amphitheatre), Ted Hanover in Holiday Inn (Musical Theatre West), Mike in A Chorus Line (Welk Resort), and Riff in West Side Story (Performance Riverside).
As the Emcee in Cabaret (Welk Resort) he was nominated by the San Diego Critics Circle for Best Leading Performance in a Musical. His one man show COMFY was awarded the 2018 Billy Barnes Award for Best Cabaret Performance, and his choreography for Dames at Sea (Sierra Madre Playhouse) was nominated by the LA Stage Alliance for an Ovation Award. He was employed by the Walt Disney Company as a singer/dancer in their California parks from 2013 to 2019.
He is a member of Actors Equity Association and Musical Theatre Guild and is the host of “A Musical Theatre Podcast,” available on all streaming platforms. Follow him on Instagram and TikTok @jeffreysparsons
Sally Johnston
Teaching Artist
I graduated with a Master’s in Theater, and I have devoted most of my teaching career to encouraging actors to be courageous and authentic as they step into a story on the stage. I have been teaching acting, improvisation, and directing plays for the past 40 years in nearly every theater on Maui. I have taught acting for teens at MAPA for nearly 20 years. In addition to teaching acting for MAPA , I directed LION KING, THE LITTLE MERMAID, OLIVER, FAME, and NARNIA for their summer theatre camps.
I bring to my classes a sense of encouragement and joy. I consider our time together a great exploration of scripts and characters as well as improvisation! My classes are aimed at all levels of experience since I work to create a safe, inviting place for all who attend!
Brenna Hoonan-Amby
Academy Administrator
Brenna is a graduate of King Kekaulike High School, University of Hawaii at Maui college, and the University of Hawai’i at Manoa. Since returning to Maui after school, she has worked on and off screen on big productions including HBO’s The White Lotus. Brenna has also worked as camp coordinator and stage manager for MAPA’s Summer Musical Theatre Camp production of Shrek the Musical, Jr.
Born and raised in Hawai’i, Brenna has danced hula and performed for most of her life. She is currently serving as MAPA’s Academy Administrator while working to further pursue her career in the performing arts and professional singing.
Kathleen Schulz
Teaching Artist
I have studied modern dance with Martha Graham in New York, jazz with Roland Dupree in Los Angeles and ballet with Nico Cerese in Los Angeles. I have taught dance and performed nationwide. I have also had the pleasure of teaching and choreographing on Maui for over 32 years. In the past 19 years I have served as the Dance Director and Head Costumier with MAPA.
My intention is to have students feel safe to explore emotions through movement by creating an atmosphere that is both encouraging and uplifting. I believe that teaching with positive communication and a joyful heart helps to unlock each student's own creative voice.