ABOUT HCT

Our Mission

Inspiring youth through the study, performance and appreciation of the theater arts!

At Hawai‘i Children’s Theatre (HCT), we ignite creativity, confidence, and connection through the magic of live theatre. Each year, we engage over 300 young performers and technicians, many of whom receive financial aid or work-study opportunities to make theatre accessible for all.

Our productions and programs, including Summer Stars, Mainstage & After Dark productions, and workshops, bring together children, families, and professional artists to create meaningful, memorable theatre experiences. Each year, over 10,000 people experience the joy of HCT performances.

Join us as we continue to make theatre a vibrant part of childhood on Kaua‘i and inspire the next generation of storytellers and creative leaders.

Previous HCT Productions





Mainstage Productions

2024 – The SpongeBob Musical
2023 – Elf the Musical
2022 – Suessical
2021 – Moana, Jr.
2019 – Matilda the Musical
2018 – Newsies
2017 – Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
2016 – School of Rock
2015 – Mary Poppins
2014 – Shrek
2013 – Sound of Music
2012 – Scrooge!
2011 – Willy Wonka
2010 – Peter Pan
2009 – Cinderella
2008 – The Wiz!
2007 – Big River
2006 – Annie
2005 – Beauty and the Beast
2004 – Fiddler on the Roof
2003 – The Music Man
2002 – Alice in Wonderland & Honk!
2001 – Peter Pan & Honk!
2000 – The Sound of Music
1999 – Scrooge, A Musical Christmas Carol
1998 – The King & I
1997 – Oliver
1996 – Charlotteʻs Web



After Dark Productions

2025 – Something Rotten!
2024 – Disenchanted
2023 – Heathers
2021 – Spring Awakening
2019 – Chicago
2018 – Into the Woods
2016 – Spamalot!
2015 – Next to Normal
2014 – Avenue Q
2013 – Les Miserables
2011 – 21st Annual Putman County Spelling Bee & Godspell
2010 – Rent



Summer Stars - Rising Stars Showcases

Each summer, alongside our Summer Stars Jr. production, students in the Summer Stars AM program create and perform their own original showcase. These fun, imaginative performances highlight the creativity and growth of our youngest participants — and they’re a treasured part of our summer tradition.

Click here to view our archive of past AM Showcase videos and enjoy the magic!

Other Past Programs of Note

Hawaiʻi Children’s Theatre has always been a dynamic and evolving organization, growing with the needs and interests of our community. Over the years, we’ve offered a variety of programs beyond our flagship Mainstage, Summer Stars, and After Dark series — each one adding its own unique chapter to the HCT story.

In our second year (1997), we began offering spring programs, some culminating in full productions and others as “message theatre” programs designed to spark discussion and reflection on important social topics. During those early years, we also had the unique opportunity to take HCT abroad — performing at the World’s Fairs in Portugal (1998) and Hanover, Germany (2000) with original message plays.

Some memorable early spring performances included How to Eat Like a Child, New Clothes for the Empress, Lord of the Flies, and impactful message theatre pieces such as Bang Bang You’re Dead, First Time Club, and Godspell.

Our message theatre work evolved into the creation of the Pono Players — a pre-teen and teen performance troupe formed by audition. These young artists wrote and performed their own message plays for schools across the island, addressing difficult subjects such as teen suicide, drug prevention, and bullying, always with age-appropriate content and a spirit of empathy and empowerment. Though financial support for the Pono Players concluded in 2011, their legacy continues to inspire the heart of our mission today.

In 2023, we proudly launched HCT Academy, adding a new chapter of educational programming to support young artists year-round.

We’ve also embraced creative opportunities during challenging times. During the pandemic, we pivoted to online classes in scriptwriting and even produced online performances — a testament to the resilience and dedication of our students and teaching artists. As soon as we were able to welcome in-person audiences again (even under a tent with strict seating protocols), we joyfully celebrated our 25th Anniversary with a dinner and Broadway Revue, alongside our signature summer programming.

As HCT continues to grow and evolve, we honor all of these past programs and the many community members, students, and families who have shaped them. Each one has left an imprint on the organization we are today — and we can’t wait to see where the next chapter leads.