Hawai‘i Conservatory of Performing Arts at Windward Community College
O‘ahu’s premier professional actor training programs include an Associate in Arts degree in Theatre and the Foundation in Acting certificate. Our faculty are dedicated theatre professionals with global industry connections, and our students master their craft onstage at Palikū Theatre while building a solid foundation in performance, voice, and movement.
Through our capstone Study Abroad program in the UK, students train with some of the world’s best theatre practitioners, collaborate with the Royal Shakespeare Company, and even audition for top-tier London drama schools. This intensive preparation empowers aspiring performers to launch a successful, sustainable career in the arts—all at an affordable community college tuition.
Join us on Giving Day to strengthen the future of Hawai‘i’s performing arts. This year, thanks to a $20,000 Match & Challenge gift, your donation will go even further in supporting our talented students.
What the talent has to say!
The Hawai‘i Conservatory of Performing Arts at Windward Community College is a pu‘uhonua for Hawai‘i’s emerging performance artists. This program is stewarded and cultivated in aloha by Hawai‘i’s best theater teachers. I am forever grateful for the knowledge and guidance that I have received from HCPA.
Kaipo Dudoit
(Actor - Lilo and Stitch, Titus Andronicus)
This program has helped me tremendously in the art of acting, and many others who will come after me. Your contributions to this program will not only benefit students, but also actors in the community who will be in future productions coming to our islands.
Hio Pelesasa
(Next Goal Wins, Fast and Furious: Hobbs and Shaw)
The Hawai‘i Conservatory of Performing Arts is dedicated to training passionate actors through an intensive, high-quality curriculum featuring incredible courses like stage combat, acting for film, and Shakespeare. As an alum, I’m most grateful for the tremendous acting experience the conservatory provided through a range of play performances. With the support of this program and its faculty, I feel incredibly blessed to have been accepted into acting programs at Pace University and the Stella Adler Studio of Acting next year, along with receiving a scholarship to train at the Gaiety School of Acting in Ireland this summer!
My time with the Hawai‘i Conservatory of Performing Arts has been instrumental in my career as a professional actor and acting teacher. The instructors helped me find a job working as Kaimukī High School’s acting teacher where I get to give back the same gifts of knowledge they’ve given me. I am also the voice of a recurring character in the AAA video game series “Like a Dragon” aka “Yakuza.” The Conservatory not only provided these opportunities, but the skills and tools they gifted me prepared me to secure these positions and succeed in my work. I will always be forever grateful.
Spotlight Funds
▶︎ Performance Arts Conservatory Fund
Your contribution to this fund helps students and emerging artists by covering production costs, supporting travel to festivals and study abroad opportunities, and bringing in established and up-and-coming island artists—as well as distinguished visiting artists—to share their expertise.
▶︎ Dr. Dennis Carroll Scholarship
Named for Dr. William Dennis Carroll—co-founder of Kumu Kahua Theatre, longtime UH professor, director, mentor, and champion of local arts. A gift to this scholarship directly empowers theater students at Windward Community College. Your gift keeps Dr. Carroll’s legacy of amplifying local talent alive and thriving.
