Recommend a Storyteller!

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Reyn Afaga

Reyn Afaga is a theatrical artist from Waipahu, Hawaiʻi. Reyn originally began as an acting student from Leeward CC, but eagerly explored other skills and roles within the performing arts, including dance, burlesque, costuming, cosmetology, dramaturgy, and recently, directing. Reyn dedicates much of his time to supporting Kumu Kahua Theatre, and currently serves as the Associate Artistic Director for the Hawaiʻi Shakespeare Festival.

Barrie Kealoha

Barrie Kealoha is a kanaka maoli singer, actor, and multilingual voiceover artist originally from Southern California. She has lived and worked in NYC, Madrid, Paris, and on multiple luxury cruise ships around the world, and has traveled to 98 countries—making questionable life choices in nearly all of them. Barrie is also an award-winning baker, a vexillology enthusiast, a trivia host, a mental health advocate, a bisexual crafter (redundant), and a diehard fan of the Oxford comma.

Larissa Nielsen

Larissa Nielsen is a Chamorro-American artist and improviser, born and raised in Saipan in the Northern Mariana Islands, and now based in Kāneʻohe, Hawaiʻi. For the past 18 years, she has been a vibrant part of Hawaiʻi’s improv scene as a performer, instructor, and coach. As a co-founder of Honolulu’s ensemble Think Fast Improv, Larissa is passionate about making improv accessible to all—believing that anyone can be an improviser. Her own journey began with a simple, powerful "Yes!"

Meredith Desha Enos

Meredith Desha Enos is a Native Hawaiian creative multi-hyphenate who turns big ideas into real things and builds community through storytelling (with a side of sass). Born and raised on Oʻahu, she’s an award-winning writer, editor, and performer who’s tackled everything from plays and podcasts to improv and fiction. Her work uplifts Hawaiian voices and centers indigenous perspectives—because she believes moʻolelo should come with mana and a mic. Meredith’s also all about growing sustainable, ʻāina-rooted creative spaces. A proud mom of four future creatives, she spends her off-hours adventuring, manuscript-wrangling, and crafting like deadlines don’t exist.

Alani Apio

Alani Apio grew up in Pu‘uloa—also known as ‘Ewa Beach—in a family of fishermen. He graduated from Kamehameha Schools and the UHM, with a degree in Drama and Theatre. Now, he lives in Kailua and grows some of his own food in his backyard, “’Cause no more ‘nuff fish around nowadays.” Apio is a noted Hawaiian playwright, sculptor, and actor. His plays Kāmau and its sequels Kāmau A’e and Ua Pau tackle complex issues related to Hawaiian identity and family relationships. He’s a founding and current board member of Hui Aloha (huialoha.org) and works as a community consultant for companies on sustainability projects and projects that have potential Native Hawaiian burial issues.

Jasmine Bautista

Jasmine Bautista is a local comedian hailing from Ewa Beach. She is a regular performer for Comedy U and is no stranger to the Blue Note stage. Jasmine has opened for national touring headliners such as Melissa Villasenor, Kyle Kinane, and Chaunté Wayans. She's been featured recently as part of the "DON'T TELL COMEDY SHOWS".

Ryan “Oki” Okinaka

Born and raised in Hawaiʻi, Ryan “Oki” Okinaka studied and performed at the Leeward and Windward CC campuses. Performance credits include Aloha Attire, Wild Birds, and Black Faggot at Kumu Kahua Theatre, Once Upon One Noddah Time at Manoa Valley Theatre, and The Magical Pu Stealer at Palikū Theatre.

Oki wrote iHula which premiered at Kumu Kahua Theatre in 2016 and was performed at Palikū in 2021, and Who You Again? which premiered at KKT in 2022. He was recognized by the Hawaiʻi State Theatre Council for excellence in writing.

An alumni of Creative Lab Hawaii’s Theatre Ideation program, Oki assists in writing, performing, and producing Waikiki PD, a local police sketch comedy series. Screen credits include co-starring roles on Hawaii 5-0 and Doogie Kamealoha, MD on Disney+.