Bright Lights for Bright Kids

The I’m a Bright Kid Foundation revitalizes Windward community theater with their first post-pandemic production of Newsies.

August 2, 2024

Hailey Akau,

2018 09 03 Iabkf The Wiz Tinamahina 10 1

The Wiz. Photo: Courtesy of I’m a Bright Kid Foundation

This summer, the I’m a Bright Kid Foundation (IABKF) hosted their first community open auditions for their production of Newsies since before the pandemic, with performances from Aug. 9–25. Founded after Ron Bright’s passing in 2015, the nonprofit, whose mission is to “perpetuate the teachings and legacy of Mr. Ronald E. Bright by supporting the performing arts and education,” also put on previous productions of The King and I, The Wiz, Children of Eden and Songs for a New World.

“It’s nice to be back,” says Allan Lau, the current president of the board of directors. “Through the different phases of pandemic recovery, we haven’t been able to find the right time to do stuff. It’s very new and feels nice to have this new energy.”

Despite financial constraints, the IABKF’s reach has expanded within the theatre community. With Newsies, Lau says about 90 percent of the cast is made up of new faces that had not worked with the foundation before.

Newsies rehearsal. Photo: Hailey Akau

“To know that [people are] coming back to experience [theatre] again is something I don’t take for granted,” says Mary Chesnut Hicks, the director of Newsies. “We had many new faces and several old faces, and we need to continue [Ron Bright’s] legacy. We need to reach those who haven’t touched it before.”

The foundation also provides educational opportunities, with a summer program and scholarship awards for students pursuing performing arts or education. For the summer program, IABKF hosts guests in different careers to expose kids to other venues besides acting, singing and dancing—such as casting, playwriting, musical composition, stage combat and more.

The Wiz. Photo: Courtesy of I’m a Bright Kid Foundation

“[Mr. Bright always wanted] to love and nurture the young people in Hawai‘i through education and the arts, and to help them believe in themselves and see the potential they may not have seen before,” says Lau.

imabrightkid.org, @imabrightkid

The Wiz. Photo: Courtesy of I’m a Bright Kid Foundation

Here’s a list of upcoming production dates through the end of the year, and be sure to check out their websites for tickets, audition information and ways to get involved: