Diamond Head Theatre facts for kids
The Diamond Head Theatre is a famous place for shows in the United States. People in Hawaii often call it the Broadway of the Pacific. It's located near the beautiful Diamond Head volcano in Honolulu. This theatre opened in 1915. It is the oldest performing arts center in Hawaii.
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The Beginning: The Footlights
On April 28, 1915, a new theatre group started. It was called The Footlights. Some people like Will Lewers and Helen Alexander were in the first show. They performed a play called The Amazons. This show happened at the Honolulu Opera House. Today, the main Post Office stands there. This group of theatre lovers grew. Their theatre became the third-oldest continuously running theatre in the whole United States.
Becoming Honolulu Community Theatre
In 1934, The Footlights group changed its name. It became the Honolulu Community Theatre. Their main goal was to help the community. They did this through the art of theatre. They wanted people in Hawaii to be involved. This included audience members, stage crew, and performers. This goal is still important today.
Entertaining During Wartime
During World War II, the Honolulu Community Theatre helped entertain soldiers. They put on over 300 shows. These shows were for thousands of troops. They performed all across the Pacific. This tradition continued later. In the 1990s, they toured with a show called Ain't Misbehavin'.
A New Home and New Name
In 1952, the Honolulu Community Theatre moved. Their new home was the Fort Ruger Theatre. This building used to be an Army movie house. They made many big changes to it. They added places to build sets and costumes. They also put in new lights and sound systems. The theatre got restrooms that were easy to use for everyone. They even added a lobby for people watching the shows. Upstairs, they made more office space. They also added spots for spotlights and sound equipment.
In 1990, the Honolulu Community Theatre changed its name again. It became the Diamond Head Theatre.
What Diamond Head Theatre Does Today
Each year, Diamond Head Theatre puts on six main shows. Five of these are usually big musicals. They also offer theatre workshops. These classes help people in Hawaii learn about acting. They teach acting, singing, and dancing. Classes are available for children, teens, and adults. The theatre also has a group called the Shooting Stars. This is a youth performing arts group. It helps young people learn and perform.
