KANEOHE, Hawaii — Two individuals instrumental in founding the Hawaii Conservatory of Performing Arts at Windward Community College received a Gold Medallion from Region 8 of the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival, according to a University of Hawaii news release.

What You Need To Know

  • Artistic Director Taurie Kinoshita and Associate Professor Nicolas Logue, founders of the Hawaii Conservatory of Performing Arts at Windward Community College, were honored with a Gold Medallion

  • The KCACTF Gold Medallion is one of the highest honors in theater education

  • The last day to audition for the Hawaii Conservatory of Performing Art’s Foundation in Acting fall 2023 cohort is March 18

Artistic Director Taurie Kinoshita and Associate Professor Nicolas Logue accepted the medallion and a plaque in a ceremony held in Las Vegas in February.

Considered one of the highest honors in theater education, the KCACTF Gold Medallion honors individuals and organizations that have made “extraordinary contributions to the teaching and producing of theatre and have significantly dedicated their time, artistry and enthusiasm to the values of the Kennedy Center,” according to the release.

“We chose to honor Windward Community College with the Gold Medallion Award because they create theatre, and a theatre program that combines Native Hawaiian art and tradition with classical theatre training,” said Shaunte Caraballo, KCACTF Region 8 chair. “Their program literally changes the lives of its students.”

In addition to receiving the Gold Medallion, Windward CC was also recognized on a national level at the KCACTF. The festival features only six productions annually, selected from hundreds of entries coming from California, Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah, Hawaii and Guam.

Headlining the festival just once is a dream come true for colleges and universities. Windward CC has been invited three times over the past four years for “A Walking Shadow” (2019), “Oriental Faddah and Son” (2020) and “Demigods Anonymous” (2023).

Kinoshita directed all three productions. And in 2018, she was honored with the Kennedy Center Excellence in Theatre Education Award.

“Taurie works with exciting new playwrights on original scripts that represent our diverse student body,” said Logue. “She masterfully stages these pieces and trains our student actors to originate roles with spirited performances. As a result, these productions always capture the adjudicators’ interest.”

The last day to audition for the Hawaii Conservatory of Performing Art’s Foundation in Acting fall 2023 cohort is March 18. Students who successfully auction will receive a full tuition scholarship for fall 2023 and spring 2024.

Visit the Hawaii Conservatory for Performing Arts website for more information or email founder and education coordinator Logue at logue@hawaii.edu.

Sarah Yamanaka covers events, environmental and community news for Spectrum News Hawaii. She can be reached at sarah.yamanaka@charter.com.