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Two years ago PlayBuilders embarked on a very important community collaborative theatre project developed with and for recovering survivors of domestic violence. We met every Monday night at the Hawaii Life office in Kaimuki or at the ARTS at Marks Garage in Chinatown to gather and share their stories during that time. When Covid-19 hit, we moved our Monday meetings lead by therapist, Elaine Valdov, to Zoom. This was not to collect stories, but to support the survivors who, by this time, had become our friends. Over time we gathered enough stories to create the first draft of a play that was edited by Laura Clark and Lauren Balesteros, but because of the pandemic and the necessity of physical distancing, a live production was not possible. Not ones to give up easily, we collaborated with The Hawaii State Coalition Against Domestic Violence and ʻŌlelo Community Media to bring you a series of videos. featuring true stories told either by the survivors themselves or professional actors. For more information and access to videos and news stories copy and paste this link into your address bar. Mahalo! https://www.patreon.com/PlayBuilders808 |
The first, "Bursting Bubbles, Jennyʻs Story" is directed by Deanna Espinas and is being shown now on ʻŌlelo for Domestic Violence Month. Other "Bursting Bubbles Project" videos are directed by Elizabeth Wichmann-Walczak, Misa Sione, and Elaine Valdov will be released in November, January, and March. Be sure to watch to the very end of each video because you will be treated to an artistic response by professional dancers, actors, or singers. For "Jenny's Story", dancers Becky McGarvey, and Spencer Agoston interpret a poem recited by Jenny. In the photograph above Jenny Delos Santos herself interacts with the dancers. It was a beautiful and healing moment. The "Bursting Bubbles Project" is made possible through generous donations from Broadway in Hawaii, Calvary By the Sea Lutheran Church Endowment Fund and people like you. (To watch "Bursting Bubbles, Jennyʻs Story" now, please click on the long orange "Bursting Bubbles Project" button above and make a donation of just $5.00 a month which will help fund future projects like this and keep you up to date on all things PlayBuilders. Mahalo! |
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PLAYBUILDERS MISSION IS TO GATHER AND SHARE REAL STORIES THAT RESONATE WITH, EMPOWER, AND CONNECT PEOPLE THROUGHOUT THE CULTURALLY RICH AND DIVERSE COMMUNITIES OF HAWAI'I.
About PlayBuilders
PlayBuilders original plays have been supported by the Hawaii Peoples Fund, the Hawaii Community Coalition, The Geist Foundation, The Cooke Foundation, The Atherton Foundation, and The National Endowment of the Arts. Our work would be impossible without the support of individual donors like you. Mahalo nui loa
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News
Community partners for past shows include The Wahiawa Historic Society, Catholic Charities, Hawaii, Hawaii Pacific University, Family Programs Hawaii, Waipahu Community Coalition, The Foster Care Training Committee, Partners in Development, Leeward Community College, the Mele Program of Honolulu Community College, Nanakuli High and Intermediate School, and the Hawai'i State Department of Health.
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Coming Up Next
We are always working on new projects, performances, and collaborations. Stay tuned for news on upcoming plays, behind-the-scenes updates, live events, and more. Coming soon: "Open Your Hearts Wide" by Marion Lyman-Mersereau and "Bursting Bubbles" by Laura Clark Greaver. PlayBuilders' PlayFestival will be held here on this website during the entire month of September!
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