'Ainakea Auditions at Maui OnStage 11am-2pm July 13
‘Ainakea follows the Goodale family, descendants of early missionaries in Hawai‘i, as they return to their struggling sugar plantation after three years abroad. Young entrepreneur Lopaka tries to convince matriarch Amanda Goodale to lease the land to hotel developers to save the plantation, but she refuses. When ‘Ainakea is auctioned off due to debt, Lopaka outbids the family and buys it himself, planning to clear the sugar cane and build beach resorts. As Amanda and the others prepare to leave their ancestral home for good, the play explores themes of tradition versus progress, colonialism’s impact on native Hawaiians, class divides among the plantation workers, and the irreversible changes reshaping Hawai‘i in the postwar period.
The play is an adaptation of Anton Chekhov’s classic drama The Cherry Orchard, widely considered one of the great plays of the early 20th century. Nevius has updated the drama to the 1950s.
ALL ROLES ARE OPEN
The director is seeking actors ages 18 and up, of all ethnicities, gender identities.
AUDITIONS:
Saturday July 11, 11:00am – 2:00pm
Auditions will be held at the Maui OnStage Education and Youth Center. Located at Queen Ka’ahumanu Center, across from Ben Franklin.
Callbacks (By invitation only) Sun. July 12, 11:00am – 2:00pm
Callbacks will be held at the Maui OnStage Education and Youth Center. Located at Queen Ka’ahumanu Center, across from Ben Franklin.
Please prepare two contrasting monologues, each up to 90 seconds in length.
Bring a picture and resume, if you have one. Plan on arriving 10 minutes early to check in.
Date: Saturday, July 11th, 2026
Time: 11:00 am to 2:00 pm
Cost: Free
Categories: Performing Arts / Musicals / Plays, Non-Profit Community Event, FREE
Historic Iao Theater located at 68 N Market St, Wailuku, HI 96793 in Central Maui
Phone: 808-242-6969 Email: boxoffice@mauionstage.com, mauionstage.info@gmail.com Website: https://www.mauionstage.com
The Historic Iao Theater, built in 1928 in Wailuku, is a beloved Maui landmark and one of Hawaii's oldest theaters, renowned for its Spanish-Mission Revival architecture and rich cultural legacy. Originally designed as both a movie house and live performance venue, the Iao has hosted everything from Hollywood premieres to legendary USO shows with stars like Frank Sinatra and Bob Hope. Despite periods of decline and near closure, the Iao’s enduring presence-now listed on both the Hawaii and National Registers of Historic Places-reflects its importance as a gathering place for entertainment and community on Maui.
For Maui OnStage, the Iao Theater is more than just a venue; it is the heart of their mission to provide accessible, high-quality performing arts experiences for the island. After a devastating fire destroyed their previous home, Maui OnStage (formerly Maui Community Theater) found new life in the Iao, helping to restore and revitalize the historic space. Today, the Iao Theater stands as a vibrant hub for creativity, self-expression, and cultural enrichment, serving as a cornerstone for Maui's artistic community and a cherished symbol of resilience and aloha.
Contact: Heather Knowles Negaard – Box Office Coordinator Phone: 8082426969
Email: Website: https://www.mauionstage.com/
