Meet the Actor: Maki’ilei Ishihara

Meet the Actor: Maki’ilei Ishihara

Meet the Actor: Maki’ilei Ishihara

Where were you born? I was born in Honolulu at the Kapiʻolani Medical center and raised in Kāneʻohe.

Where did you go to school? I attended St.Ann’s Church and Model School from Kindergarten to 8th grade. Then attended Sacred Hearts Academy for high school.

What were your favorite stories as a kid? I loved listening to stories my tūtū told me about growing up in Ka’alaea, working the lo’i (taro patch), and growing up in pre-state Hawai’i.

When did you start acting? I started acting by telling stories and doing impersonations of my family members at gatherings growing up. Then at school I did some plays for the Christmas program and church events. I started doing more full length plays and musicals in college at Windward Community College in 2008.

Why do you like theatre? Theatre is true magic! On stage we can change all the things we want to change, meet the people we want to meet, and become anything. I love that theatre allows me to share experiences/adventures with so many people and that after the performance we feel like closer friends.

What’s the most challenging part of acting? Challenging parts include finding true ways my characters interact with the world (ways that are not Maki’ilei), making sure to stretch everyday keeping my body ready to move and perform.

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