BA in Theatre - Theatre for Young Audiences in Honolulu United States | University of Hawaii at Manoa

The TYA initiative fosters creativity and curiosity, blending core principles of drama education with dynamic performance arts like puppetry, masks, clowning, and movement. Students can tailor their studies across diverse fields—from acting and directing to playwriting and puppetry—all aimed at sparking young minds' creativity.

Our vision for TYA extends beyond the stage, embracing classroom applications and global outreach. Production, education, and community engagement form the program's bedrock values.

The TYA program brings the magic of live theater to life through stunning performances. Annually, Kennedy Theatre welcomes countless children, teens, and families into extraordinary imaginative realms. Our repertoire spans timeless fairy tales, literary adaptations, and original student/faculty works—all featuring bold theatrical innovation, often blending music, dance, puppetry, masks, and Asian/Hawaiian performance traditions. We challenge the misconception that youth theater is inherently simplistic, insisting instead on uncompromising artistic excellence.

TYA students enhance educational impact by integrating drama techniques into learning environments. This unique approach bridges performance arts with child development, where education meets imaginative play.

We view theater not just as entertainment, but as a catalyst for change. Combining theory with practice, the program provides real-world experience through arts organization internships and community projects using applied theater methods.