Tom moved to Kauai a little over a year ago and is delighted to join the vibrant, active HCT community here. A newcomer to Kauai, but not theater, Tom has spent the last 50+ years directing, acting, teaching/coaching, and, most recently writing (Acting: A Field Guide to the Craft is currently being edited and will be available soon). As a director, Tom has tackled everything from The Drowsy Chaperone, The Producers, Sweeney Todd and Rent to Much Ado About Nothing and Twelfth Night. Tom believes that a director, in addition to having organizational skills and vision, has to become conversant with all of the disciplines needed for an When it comes to teaching and coaching, Tom’s philosophy is simple: “Art” is a lightning strike. “Craft” is the lightning rod you can make of yourself that directs and controls that inspiration in the service of storytelling. For the last 15 years Tom has taught privately as well in P.AC.’s and Regionally for the Paper Mill Playhouse public outreach series. Additionally, Tom has served as an Artistic Consultant to The Holmdel Theatre Company, whose mission includes the encouragement and development of the next generation of Theatre Artists. More details can be found at https://tomfrascatore.com/

Tiffany loves musical theater. She studied both dance and social sciences at the University of Hawaii, and after graduation, she moved to Florida. Tiffany spent over 5 years working and performing at the Lake Worth Playhouse, a popular community theater in South Florida. After Florida, Tiffany lived in Portugal for 4 years before making her way back to Hawaii. In the summer of 2019, back from Europe, Tiffany worked at a children’s performance arts camp in Vermont. Tiffany was the Keiki director for HCTs summer stars of 2022, and she currently works as an art teacher at Kapa’a elementary school and teaches yoga. Tiffany knows theatre can be a powerful healing outlet for both children and adults. She is very excited to bring her love of theater to Summer Stars!

Ethan was born and raised on Kauai and grew up doing theater and dance for as long as he can remember. A Summer Stars alumni, he has performed in HCT productions such as Shrek the Musical, Mary Poppins, and Spamalot, as well as worked behind the scenes in Lucky Stiff, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, and Matilda. In his free time you may see Ethan selling local produce at farmers markets. Currently pursuing his degree in dance, Ethan loves to return to Kauai to teach at Summer Stars and spread his love for dance. He hopes to give students a fun, memorable summer experience just like he had.

Kim is a teacher, performer, and explorer of the endlessly awesome world of music. A former Kaua’i Performing Arts Center and Kaua’i High School student, she studied vocal performance at the University of Evansville, Indiana (B.Mus.) and the University of Minnesota (M.Mus.). She lived and worked in Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN for 18 years, serving as a voice teacher, children's choir director, and teaching artist for participatory arts organizations. Kim performed nationally and internationally with early music group The Rose Ensemble for 13 seasons and more recently has sung with Lumina Women’s Ensemble, the First Readings Project, Lau Hawaiian Collective, and Chamber Music Kaua’i. She is thrilled to be back in her home community, and to be teaching and growing together in song, stories, and life.

Although new to the HCY team, Jessica Brown is a long time resident of Kaua’i and has been in love with the theater arts since her childhood. Knowing how influential live theater can be for kids, Jessica cannot wait to share her lifetime of experience with our island’s keiki! Having most recently directed “The Gin Game” for the Kaua’i Community Players, Jessica has been an active participant in whatever production she could find her way into - in whatever capacity necessary- for over thirty years. She hosts The Kaua’i Drama Club on the last Sunday of every month, and enjoys reading, writing and hanging out with her really awesome daughters.

Rachel was born and raised on Kauai. Her love for theater began when she went to her first play put on by Kaua’i Performing Arts Center “Once on this Island'', and saw her older sisters perform. Through Middle School and High School she has been a part of KPAC her last show being “Anything Goes”. After graduating from Kapaa High School she got her Political Science Degree at University of Hawaii, Manoa, and performed in “The Most Massive Woman Wins, and “He, She, 3”. Rachel started doing comedy in 2011 in Honolulu, Hawaii. She was involved in two improv groups affiliated with Laughtrack Theater.

Bobbee Downs was the first Artistic Director and co-founder of HCT, which was preceded by Kauai Kids at Play, beginning in 1987. A graduate of Yale University Children's Theatre program, she brings forty years of experience to the program. She's old! Though retired she is always interested in the ongoing development of the aesthetic values and activities for kids in HCT. With an undergraduate degree in Hair & Makeup she loves coming back once a year for this workshop. Having directed over 300 productions she still finds it amazing to get paid to play!

What Karese loves most about the theatre is how immensely full of joy, wonder, and imagination it is. She is a graduate student at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa studying for her MFA in Theatre for Young Audiences (TYA)--some of her classes include puppetry building & performing, clowning, and ethnomusicology. Art is such an integral part of her life, she wishes that every growing mind can experience the delight of theatre. She grew up in a military family and has travelled across the globe, most recently presenting her research in Spain. She has worked professionally (on stage, behind the scenes, and in the classroom) in Virginia and Honolulu, and is beyond excited to be a part of HCT.

Max has been involved in theater since high school, and he's been a videographer since 2020. He's very excited to have the chance to combine those two passions. He currently works as a production services specialist at Ho'ike, Kauai's Community Television Station. You may remember him as "Horton the Elephant" in HCT's “Seussical the Musical.”

Daniel first got involved in theater during high school, where he acted and did sound and lighting tech for yearly musical productions. He has spent the last two decades working in sound and IT jobs in other fields, but he is very thankful that his children got him back into the theater to work on HCT’s "Seussical" last year, and he cannot wait to help make this year’s Summer Stars another magical experience!

Steve has had the good fortune of being involved with HCT for 18 years. He has appeared on stage in several HCT productions but most often works behind the scenes on technical aspects of the shows. He served on the Hawaii Children's Theater Board of Directors for seven years; two years as the Board President. Summer Stars is his favorite HCT program and he is excited to be working with this year's talented production team!