Maui Academy of Performing Arts

Founded in 1974, Maui Academy of Performing Arts (MAPA) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that has grown from a small after-school youth theatre program (originally named Maui Youth Theatre) to one of Hawaii’s largest educational performing arts organizations.

By bringing together people from all walks of life to participate in theatre, dance and music, we fulfill our mission of enriching individuals, building community and connecting our world through the performing arts.

Since the organization’s inception, over one million Maui residents and visitors have participated in MAPA programs as students, teachers, audience members, performers, volunteers and donors.

All MAPA programs teach collaboration, communication, team work, empathy, appreciation of diversity, responsibility, and respect for self and others.

MAPA provides a broad spectrum of educational performing arts programs in three core areas:

Each year, MAPA Shows community productions reach 10,000 Maui residents and visitors through Broadway-caliber theatrical productions as audience members, performers and volunteers. In the last 40 years, MAPA has brought over 500 live productions to the Maui community. From student showcases to challenging new works to the best of Broadway, MAPA offers something for everyone.

MAPA Classes and Camps brings performing arts education in dance, drama and singing to more than 2,600 Maui children and adults yearly from age three and up. MAPA currently offers 100 classes every week throughout the academic year in 2 locations, a summer session of dance classes and week-long and multi-week camps during school breaks. Student performances engage over 5,000 audience members throughout the year.

MAPA In The Schools: MAPA’s Educational Theatre shows reach over 7,000 children (pre-school through grade 5) on Maui annually. Program addresses topical issues like character, friendship, integrity and bullying. Grade level study guides created by MAPA’s Director of Programs help students and teachers link concepts from the play to other curricular areas and to Common Core State Standards.

The nationally recognized Voices performing arts residencies teaches performance skills and reading comprehension to over 4,000 Maui students each school year in periods of 6 to 16 weeks.