HISF 2017
LIVE PERFORMANCES
October 21st, 2017: Opening Night
Location: Doris Duke Theatre at The Honolulu Museum of Art
Opening Reception: 6pm (Drinks available for purchase.)
Live Reception Musician: Tahiti Rey
Showtime: 7pm
“Airbnb: The Musical”
“Procedrual: A Law and Order Musical Parody”
“Sugar Ray: The Jukebox Musical”
Ticket Cost: $35
(featuring original choreography by Emmy Award winning choreographer Kat Burns from the CW’s “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend”)
October 22nd, 2017: Two Scoops Funny!
Location: Arts at Marks Garage 1159 Nuuanu Avenue
Doors: 6:30pm
Showtime: 7:00pm
Our “Two Scoops Funny” Show at Arts at Marks Garage features the work of local writers exclusively. There’s so much talent here in Hawaii and we do our best to nurture and celebrate it! Support locally grown laughs!
Ticket Cost: $25
WORKSHOPS & PANELS
October 21st, 2017: Dance & Chats with Kat Burns from CW’s “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend” 10:30am – 12pm
We are excited to welcome Emmy Award Winning Choreographer Kat Burns from the CW’s hit television show, “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend” to this year’s Hawaii Sketch Comedy Festival!
Kat will be teaching a dance workshop and talk back on Saturday, October 21st from 10:30am – 12pm at Studio 909 on Kapiolani directly across from The Blaisdell Center.
This all level and all age workshop will feature FUN and original choreography from the hit television comedy.
The last 30 minutes of class will be dedicated to a talk back with Kat where participants are welcome to ask questions about her work, story and all that jazz. <—see what we did there.
October 22nd, 2017: PR Intro with Poi Planet 12pm – 1:30pm
Register ForThis Workshop Here (Class fee: $25
The PR intro class presented by Tracy Larrua (Publicist) & Guy Hess (Business Management) of Poi Planet, will give students an insight into the basics of public relations and marketing communications, as well as some insider tips and tricks that will help creative folks guide the beginning of their career and promote their future projects in the arts. The intro class is 1 hour, with 30 minutes for in-depth Q&A.
Note* – Students are required to bring paper and pen to take notes vs. taking notes on any digital devices i.e. smart phones or laptops. Recording of any Poi Planet class is not allowed unless authorized.
October 22nd, 2017: Create Your Own Sh*t Panel w/ BeRad Studios and Orig Media 2pm – 3pm
Register For This Panel Here (Class fee: FREE)
Tired of waiting for someone to give you your big break? Got an idea for a sketch or a web series or a movie, but you don’t know where to start? Well, quit waiting and start creating your own sh*t!
Rockstar videographers Brad Watanabe (Berad Studios and Hawaii Shoots) and Jeff Orig (Orig Media) will share tips and stories on how to get off your booty and start getting your awesome work out there!
Special Guest Artists
Kat Burns from the CW’s “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend” (Los Angeles, CA)
With her refreshing and innovative style, unique training, and unparalleled creativity, newly minted 2016 Emmy Award winning choreographer Kathryn Burns has become Hollywood’s toast of the town. As the groundbreaking choreographer behind the hilarious watercooler moments on CW’s critically acclaimed hit television series “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend,” Kathryn stood apart in her Emmy category, and her peers took notice. Her three Emmy winning dance performances include “I’m So Good at Yoga,” “Settle for Me,” and “A Boy Band Made Up of Four Joshes.”
Animated, charismatic, and witty to a T, Kathryn Burns made a name for herself as one of the hardest working and most in-demand television choreographers in Tinseltown. In addition to “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend,” her brilliant choreography has been featured in Netflix’s “Wet Hot American Summer,” Comedy Central’s “Key & Peele,” CBS’ “2 Broke Girls,” and Adult Swim’s “Children’s Hospital” just to name a few.
Originally from Texas, Kathryn moved to Los Angeles to hone her craft by performing and choreographing at the prestigious Upright Citizens Brigade Theater (UCB). The years of unique hands on training that she received here is where Kathryn ingeniously combined comedy with dance, creating a limitless style all her own. While at UCB, she created innovative and laugh out loud choreography for Hollywood’s comedic legends, including Amy Poehler who she worked with in the UCB film FREAK DANCE. Kathryn still performs regularly at UCB where she can be seen every month starring in “Quick & Funny Musicals.”
The 2016 Emmy for “Outstanding Choreography” isn’t the only accolade under Kathryn’s belt. She was recognized in both 2016 & 2017 by winning The World Choreography Award for “Best Choreography in a Television Episode” for her breakout work on “Key and Peele” and “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend”. Along with the original dances that she creates for the small screen, Kathryn has worked with numerous recording artists including the dancers alongside Pharrell Williams on the iconic “Happy” music video, which won her and the team a Grammy for “Best Music Video of the Year.”
With an unwavering passion, skill and imagination for dance, television, film and comedy, Kathryn Burns is a new pioneering force in choreography. Audiences worldwide will continue to be astonished by her remarkable work as she tirelessly makes her mark dancing through Hollywood.
(Artist appearance scheduled to change without notice. No refunds will be given for show tickets. Refunds will be given to workshop participants.)
2017 HISF Start Up Team (Honolulu, HI)
David K Jones has been an active supporter of Hawaii’s growing comedy scene since he was in his 20’s. He won the Planet’s Funniest Person comedy competition at the 2010 Hawaii International Comedy Festival and opened for Graham Elwood in 2013. DKJ can be seen on the second season of OWN’s “Life with Latoya” teaching improv to LaToya Jackson. DKJ has studied sketch writing from Second City’s Jeff Griggs and Dave Razowsky. He produced the live sketch show “Regards!” and the web series “Someplace Classy”. He hosts two podcasts: What’s Up With That Bro? and Dirty Work Minute. DKJ eats ice cream everyday and is scared of snakes. He only takes phone calls that come from inside his own house. Follow David on Twitter at @dkjcomedy.
Originally from Lancaster, PA, Jesse Mumma is not Amish, but frankly, electricity scares him. His interests include; trying to apply sunblock to his own back, falling on sharp reefs, $1 tacos, and ciguatera. Creative collaboration, with talented professionals, is what attracted him to the Hawaii Sketch Comedy Fest. He’s hoping to meet some soon.
Jeff Orig is an award winning filmmaker and Graduate Fellow of Creative Lab Hawaii. He is the owner and director at Orig Media. They are currently working on 3 web series. Jeff likes long walks on the beach, romantic candlelight dinners, and thinks pull my finger is a classic joke all children should learn.
This is Harrison Saito‘s first year joining HIsketchfest. Based in Honolulu, he studied acting & filmmaking for several years while attending UC Irvine and living in Newport Beach, CA. Returning to Hawaii to reconnect with family in 2015, he jumped back into the performing arts scene studying under the awesome Kimee Balmilero of ImprovHI. He wants to thank his parents & friends for their support and encouragement.
Featured Performers
Opening Night Cast – October 21st, 2017
Vanessa Manuel
Ali Aldcroft
Miguel K. Pa’ekukui
Ryan Okinaka
Anette Arinix
Ixchel Samaniego
Susan Codispoti Hawes
Jesie Rocetes
Lindsay Rabe
LeGrand Lawrence
Jose Ver
Special Musical Guests
Tahiti Rey (Honolulu, HI)
Born and raised in Hawaii, songbird Tahiti Rey is the youngest daughter of legendary entertainer, Augie Rey. She is an accomplished singer/songwriter/guitarist with a Hawaii Music Award Winner & Na Hoku Nominee under her belt for her debut album “Acoustic Beauty”. Tahiti's velvety acoustic cover songs will warm your heart and soften your soul as you sit back, relax, and enjoy her emotionally charged renditions of her favorite tunes.
2017 HISF Sponsors
Produced by:
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Platinum Sponsor:
Gold Sponsors:
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Silver Sponsors:
Bennett and Deb Sawyer
Ligaya Stice
Media Sponsors:
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2017 Kickstarter Supporters
Amy and Kirk Sullivan
Carol A.
Chris B.
CJ Uy
Happiness U
Jordan & Sara Savusa
Julie Brister
Matthew Chang
Jason Ellinwood
Glenn Tomiyama
Steve S.
Susan Hawes
Malia Espinda
John Cummings III
Dina Morishita
Don Nahaku
Carlynn Wolfe
Maureen Hooper
Aaron Miko
Aiko Schick
Alison A
Alx Kawakami
Andy Hawes
Bria Hiromoto
Cecelia Vela-Bailey
David Chatsuthiphan
Edna L Hussey
Erin Wong
George Yarbrough
Harvey & Lynne Rackmil
Harvey & Lynne Rackmil
Karla Mosley
Ken Vigilia
Kimberly Shigekane
Linda Green
Matt Biltgen
Melina Lillios
Phillips Payson
Reyn Halford
Robbie Melton
Sarah Halford
Sean-Joseph Choo
Stu Hirayama
Tony Young
Trevor Danielson
Ty Sanga
Vincent Kimura
Zoe Eisenberg
Ben Trevino
Candace G.
Cheyenne L
Diana W.
Honolulu Broadway Babies
James Duggins
Jonathan Veles
Kathleen DeLeon Jones
Louise and Mike
Lyda C
Malia Chang
Mark Lindberg
Nathan C
Paul Ivan Watkins
Poi Planet
Rebecca Lea McCarthy
Ryan Okinaka
Scott Siegfried
Taylor Moore
The guy who likes pizza way to much.
Tony Pisculli
Tracy L.
Yosh
Ai Cheung
ale808
Andy Fenton
Annbritt DuChateau
Annie Kwong
Anonymous
Baltimore Improv Group
Barbara Logan
Berad Studio
Brian Watanabe
Cathy Tsaur
Cindee & Sean Enos
Diane Seo
Elaina Olson
Emi Hart
Jeff Takiguchi
Jennifer Ishii
John LeBlanc
Jon Jon Briones
Kristopher “Topher” Schlund
Kutmaster Spaz
LeGrand Lawrence
Lisa Yuen
Myra
Nina Agbayani
Page Wood
Randi Newton
Robin & Kyle Kagimoto
Roland and Deana Rivera
Ruby Menon
Sandy Rosenberg
Scott Fernandez
Sean Koegel
Shakun Matani
Susan Horowitz
The Teruyas
Tiffini Chow and Graham Hill
Will Thomson
Garrett Kamemoto
Janet Varney
The Nievera Ohana
Paraluman Stice-Durkin
Liberty Peralta
Moira Bright
Wanda Horibe
Charity Thomson
Timmy