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Monthly Archives: January 2017
Read the Program – A Streetcar Named Desire
Learn more about A Streetcar Named Desire! Program highlights include:
- Q&A with Stage Director Brad Dalton – P. 9
- Synopsis – PP. 10 & 11
- Cast and Artistic Team Bios – PP. 12-16
Click here to download and read the program now:
A Streetcar Named Desire – Program
Press Release: HOT Announces New Director of Fundraising & Major Gifts
HOT is pleased to announce that Kevin Takamori has been named Director of Fundraising and Major Gifts. His responsibilities will include leading efforts to increase fundraising and establishing a legacy giving program.
“Over a 25-year career in fundraising, supporting the arts has always been one of the most rewarding areas of focus for me,” Takamori said. “I am thrilled to join the Hawaii Opera Theatre, which not only brings the world’s best opera to Hawaii each year, but also engages more than 25,000 keiki across Oahu and the neighbor islands through its nationally recognized educational outreach programs.”
Born and raised in Honolulu, he is a graduate of ‘Iolani School, the University of Hawai‘i, and Harvard University.
Takamori’s fundraising career began at Harvard, where he managed the alumni travel program during Harvard’s historic $2.6 billion capital campaign. After 15 years in Boston, he returned to Honolulu to lead the University of Hawai‘i’s alumni relations program. He also served as Development Director for Hawai‘i Arts Alliance, where he helped to expand private support through increased major gifts, event fundraising, and grant writing. Most recently, he worked as Director of Development at Hawai‘i Pacific University, where he successfully secured major gifts and grants for HPU’s Oceanic Institute, Athletics program, Performing Arts, and student scholarships.
Additionally, In 2003 Takamori was named a “Harvard Hero” for outstanding work in development and alumni relations, and in 2007 he was selected for the Pacific Century Fellows Program for future leaders of Hawaii.
HOT General Director Simon Crookall said he expects Takamori will build on HOT’s successes in fundraising in the local community and looks forward to having him on board.
#HOTSpeaks: Senator Supports Opera
Most people know Hawaii state Senator Josh Green for his role as the Majority Floor Leader or his work with healthcare legislation, but not many know that he is also an opera lover.
Green purchased tickets to Mozart’s The Magic Flute for himself and his wife last year. With the start of the Hawaii State Legislature session right around the corner, #HOTSpeaks had a chat with him about his experience at the HOT production:
Why did you choose to purchase tickets to a HOT production last year?
In general, I love opera, and I wanted to support our community. I had also heard good things from close friends, in the Case family specifically. It just was a nice night out for my wife and I.
My wife went to A Midsummer Night’s Dream after, and she loved that too. I bought her and her girl friend tickets for their birthday. I couldn’t go because I had to watch the kids that time. But we try to go every year.
What did you think of the HOT Production of The Magic Flute?
It was beautiful. Going to opera is very different from our normal days, so it’s a treat. And we have young kids, so we don’t have a lot of evenings out for ourselves, so that is also a treat for us.
Why do you, or do you not, believe arts are valuable to support in Honolulu?
I think they’re critical to support. I grew up in a family that served on the boards of museums, symphony orchestras, and opera companies on the mainland, so for me art was very central to what my family participated in. To be able to access it in our smaller market of Hawaii is terrific.
Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Pittsburgh, and Pittsburgh has really good programs with very well endowed arts. That’s mainly because of the industrialists that settled in the Pittsburgh area who built major symphonies and operas.
Now that I’m established a little bit more, I figured it was time for us to participate in the arts here. A lot of legislators, when they start out, the only things they participate in are the social services and charities. But being able to invest in the arts really adds to what a city can bring.
Your work in the legislature has to do mostly with health issues. Do you believe the arts can contribute to a person’s health and wellbeing?
I’ve seen people develop nice programs where music, particularly, is very therapeutic. And there are a lot of individuals out there that become hospital-bound with a chronic illness, so we try to bring healing things into their lives, and sometimes that just means music in a hospital setting.
Do you think opera has a place in the arts in Hawaii, and if so why?
Absolutely. I’ve always, in my mind, coupled the symphony and opera with the arts – that’s how I grew up. In Hawaii, we don’t have a large population, but I think that with a small amount of philanthropic support and more awareness, we can have a very full opera company.
We want to be as supportive as we can, because it’s nice to have an opera company here.
Do you plan on purchasing tickets to another Hawaii Opera Theatre production in the future?
Oh, for sure. I hope to go every year.
Free Opera Preview – A Streetcar Named Desire
On January 18, 2017, starting at 10:00am, join HOT for an Opera Preview at the Honolulu Museum of Art’s Doris Duke Theatre. Featuring an in-depth lecture about the opera by the University of Hawaii’s Dr. Lynne Johnson, a leading authority on opera here in the islands.
This event is highlighted by an opportunity to hear from the Stars of HOT’s production of A Streetcar Named Desire.
This event is free to HOT and HMoA members!
For more information about the Opera Preview, contact HOT at (808) 596-7372.
Why you should experience an Opera Preview or one of Dr. Johnson’s classes:
Lynne’s Opera lectures are a must for my wife, Anny, and me. Filled with humor and wit, her insights are, artistically, technically and historically stimulating… her enthusiasm infectious. She delivers her message with humor and wit. They enrich our engagement through understanding. But beware – they may turn you into an Opera geek! ~ Steve Turner
Lynne combines the passion of a music lover with the depth of a doctorate. Through in-depth but well-paced multimedia lectures, you come to understand not only the “what” of an Opera, but also the “how” and the “why.” ~ Gail Atwater
Yes, we truly enjoy the Opera/musical encounters led by Lynne. When in town we don’t miss them. Her thorough approach extends beyond technicalities encompassing and bridging cultural gaps. It has been said, “Without Opera, the world is an even drearier place than the evening news would have us think!” ´ Lynne’s lectures beckons us forth to truly enjoy this marvelous musical art form!” ~ Vittorio Alliata di Montereale