The Performing Arts Learning Center at Hilo High School staged "The Mouse that Roared" as its fall semester production last year.
Showtime on
the Big Island
Hilo High’s program trains students
in all the performing arts
To act, or not to act? That is the question answered by more than 80 Big Island high school students when they joined Hilo High School's Performing Arts Learning Center.
The center, also known as PALC, is a state-renowned drama and dance program. The Hilo High program produces three performances each year for the community, including a fall production, a spring musical and a Playwrights Festival held in January.
Hilo High SchoolNameThe Viking Faculty adviser Diane Li Editor Brittany Petersen Address 556 Waianuenue Ave., Hilo 96720 Acting principal Dennis O'Brien Mascot Viking Colors Blue and gold Enrollment 1,551
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"Each person has their unique features that they can contribute," Seaquist said, "and I just don't have the heart to turn them away. If they're willing to get up there and try for the audition, I see a lot of courage on their part and will let them in."
Although PALC is a Hilo High program, students from other schools are welcome as well. Participants from Waiakea and Keaau high schools are not uncommon.
The Playwrights Festival may be the most valuable event for the students, giving them the opportunity to write, direct, produce and choreograph their own original plays, dances and even short musicals.
PALC has come to mean much more than just acting. In the dance ensemble, established in 2003, students not only learn dance moves, but also put together original dance pieces for performances at the University of Hawaii at Hilo's annual Great Leaps.
"Being able to perform at the university was a great opportunity for us to broaden our horizon of dance, and a chance to see all the other dancers," said Hilo senior Laura Paopao.
Six PALC programs were created throughout the state in 1987 by the Department of Education, but the Hilo program offers extended opportunities, sponsoring a technical theater class and a video production class.
The "tech" class, taught by Heki Wolf, learns techniques of lighting, curtain, sound, production design and prop building.
"They are the ones that make all the magic happen," said senior and behind-the-scenes "techie" Sage Warner.
There is always something for tech students to create, whether it is a catapult for the fall 2004 production of "The Mouse That Roared" or a wood-chopping machine that will be used in this spring's production of "Beauty and the Beast."
Another "behind the scenes" operation is the video production class, which tapes and edits all of PALC's performances. This year, the students are working with Stan Sergeant of Na Leo Productions, learning proper ways to film, edit, produce and light a set. Teacher Linda Penn has led the class since fall 2002, and the program is steadily growing.
The students are now working on the "cartoon-on-stage" production of "Beauty and the Beast."
Most students agree that Hilo High wouldn't be the same without the PALC program on campus.
"I think that everyone deserves a chance to be part of something like this," Seaquist said.
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Emphasis on improvisation
makes choral program unique
Hilo High Ambassadors choral director Wendell Ing describes his program as "chaotic and unique. We are much more improvisation-oriented, with a focus on new music. The idea is everybody plays and sings."
The group consists of 53 teens who work tirelessly not only on training their voices, but on becoming well-rounded musicians.
The group is split into two class periods: the Directed Studies Music class, with an emphasis on instruments, and the Applied Music class, with a vocal emphasis.
Ing said: "This is a banner year for us in the number of horn, woodwind and string players in the group. And to top it off, there are 14 guitarists on tap, plus five on piano. These students are versatile!"
All students are encouraged to learn guitar, piano or other instruments to enhance their musical vocabulary and marketability.
Each year, the Ambassadors program sends one of the largest contingents of students to the State Honor Choir in Honolulu. Fifteen Vikings passed this year's auditions and were given the chance to participate and learn from world-class professionals. Only 20 to 25 students from the Big Island make this cut every year.
Along with the annual Christmas and spring concerts, the group often performs at downtown venues and events. A few members perform weekly at a local restaurant, Island Cantina, making public performance second nature to the students.
Both of the annual performances focus on original composition and performance. At Christmas, students do traditional pieces or add new spins to old favorites. In the spring, all students, working in small groups or as soloists, write and perform their own works.
Ing, a Princeton graduate, believes in self-expression and developing a multitude of skills. He is a powerful example to students because he plays guitar, drums and bass and is an accomplished pianist. Having released four personal recordings in the past with groups such as Technical Difficulties, he is also a multiple Na Hoku Hanohano award nominee. Ing has won several Hoku awards, including album of the year with Diana Aki.
His numerous real-life experiences, down-to-earth manner, and ability to connect with young adults make him an inspiring role model.
You asked...
"Would you die for your country?"
Sierra Bond
Senior
"No, I would not. War is nonsense and foolish. I praise all the troops who have already died for our country, but I wouldn't. I would die for my family, but not my country. Why should I?"William Nau
Senior
"I think I would die for my country because right now as I speak, other Americans are dying for our freedom. If they can do that, I would do the same if I had to."Bobby Jimenez
Senior
"No. I would die for my family, but not for Bush."Scott Murphy
Senior
"No. I don't think that the country stands for anything that it once did. We fight other people's wars. It's not honorable or respectable any more."Keoni Soares
Senior
"I would most definitely die for my country if the state would recognize the sacrifice and take care of my family."Zachary Cordero
Senior
"At the present circumstances, I don't think I would be willing enough to go to war because I have so much to live for. But circumstances do change."Michael Eckart
Senior
"I wouldn't die for my country because I think that Hawaiians are not part of the U.S. to me. Besides, what did the U.S. do for us locals?"
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