ʻImi Ā Loaʻa: Seek and Find
An augmented reality play about place and time
I ka wa ma mua ka wa ma hope, “the future is in the past.”
Hawaiian Proverb
Created by Moses Goods, Inamona Theatre Company and the HTY Ensemble
The Experience
This is an augmented reality theatrical experience celebrating the rich history and many possible futures living in our land as we explore Native Hawaiian ideas of “time” and “place.” This multi-media experience mixes elements of live performance, walking tour and digital gaming for an entirely new type of theatre.
How Does it Work?
Audiences gather at the theater to start the experience, then will be guided on a short walking tour to nearby destinations including The Hawaiʻi State Art Museum. Audience members will interact with different locations and live performers using IPads and digital gaming technology to create an immersive theatrical experience. Artwork will come to life. Characters and sounds will emerge as students explore different spaces.
Details
The experience will last 1 hour and 15 minutes and require some light walking. Audiences start at HTY’s Tenney Theatre for an orientation/performance and each group will be guided by a performer/educator who will accompany the group from location to location as well as facilitating the use of the technological elements.
IPads and headphones will be provided for all participants.
short teaser
Samples from archival video
Partners
We have been so fortunate to work with a variety of partners and funders on the creation of content for this project. From volunteer developers to government agencies to student testers we are excited that this work has expanded out community.
Funders Include:
The National Endowment for the Arts, Native Arts and Culture Foundation, Hawaii State Foundation on Culture and the Arts. Additional funding is provided by Kamehameha Schools and the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority through the Kūkulu Ola Program, administered by the Hawai‘i Community Foundation.
Performer Profile
Introduction to the project
Program
Theatrical Team
We have been blessed with an amazing theatrical team who have been guiding the development of the piece.
Core Devising Team: Moses Goods, Lokomaika’i Lipscomb, Ryan I. Kahaʻiʻōlelo Sueoka, Sean-Joseph Choo, Pōʻai Lincoln and Solomon Enos
Live Performers:
Pōʻai Lincoln
Lokomaika’i Lipscomb,
Alakai (Guides)
Alvin Chan
Sean-Joseph Choo
Stu Hirayama
J. Makiʻilei Ishihara
Eric Johnson
Moses Goods
Danica Rosengren
This list is growing and there continues to be tremendous support from the HTY staff and ensemble as well as others! Mahalo to all!
Designers/Programmers
Lead Visual Designer/Resident Artist
Solomon Enos
Composer/Sound Designer
Sean-Joseph Choo
Lead Unity Designers/Programmers
Daniel Schatzeder
Andrew Towl
Other Designers/Programmers
Shawn Taras
Richard Kanno
Thom Kesler
Jonathan Winberger
Additional design, filming, animation and a mountain of work came from inside and outside HTY and we are deeply grateful for each of these contributions.
Collaborators
This project would not have been possible without the contributions of many, many collaborators who gave generous advice, guidance and leadership. A few to note are…
HiSAM for opening thier beautiful venue and leaping onboard as a partner.
The massive group of collaborators who met in preparation for this project, especially those who participated in the first and second “hackathons” which paved the way for out exploration.
The many cultural advisors who gave guidance and learning both directly to this project and before.
The partners (please see above) who gave so generously to allow us to take the risk, learn and experiment. Mahalo!
Order Tickets
The show will run through May with plenty of seats still available for school and public audiences. Click here to make reservations!
Support this work
This work requires new technology, computer programmers and most especially time to explore and discover what is possible when we combine traditional culture and new technologies. If you would like to support this work please contact HTY’s Managing Director, Becky Dunning at manager@htyweb.org.