Tony Pisculli is the co-founder and Artistic Director of the Hawaii Shakespeare Festival. He holds an MFA in Theatre (Directing) from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa.
He is know for his “experimental” productions, including the all-woman Two Gentlemen of Verona (considered daring at the time, now a regular occurrence); the single-evening Henry VI trilogy; the Original Staging Practices Rep, Lear/Shrew/Much Ado; the Commedia Rep, Dromio and Juliet and Temper, Temper, Tempest and his “invented language” Midsummer.
Tony is also a Master Instructor with Dueling Arts International and has won multiple HSTC Awards for Excellence for Directing and Fight Choreography.
Jordan Clara ‘Ihilani Cho (she/her) is a Kanaka Maoli director, actor, and storyteller originally from Ko‘olaupoko, O‘ahu, currently residing in Honouliuli, Ewa, O‘ahu. She has served as the Associate Artistic Director for the Hawaii Shakespeare Festival since 2022. ‘Ihilani earned her BFA in Theatre Performance from Florida International University in 2013 and has been involved in O‘ahu’s theatre scene and HSF for over a decade. Her directorial accomplishments include productions such as Romeo & Juliet (2022, Hawaii Shakespeare Festival), The Tempest (2019, Hawaii Shakespeare Festival), and Lifeboat (2018, Hawaii Opera Theatre). A few of her favorite Shakespearean roles are Claudio in Much Ado About Nothing and Cornwall in King Lear. As an artist, ‘Ihilani aims to elevate stories of Indigenous and queer perspectives, empowering her community through storytelling.
Desiree serves as the Secretary of the Hawaii Shakespeare Festival’s Board of Directors and provides administrative support with the Volunteer Committee.
She was born and raised in Ewa Beach and has worked in the nonprofit community for nine years. After receiving a BA in Business Administration from the University of Hawai‘i —West Oahu, she served as a Quality Coordinator in HMSA’s Complex Case Management Program.
Desiree has developed a strong sense of devotion for the nonprofit sector after she supported community health facilities during the COVID19 pandemic by ensuring patients receive medically necessary quality care that followed national standards and regulations.
Al Reyes can be found working backstage at the Hawaii Theatre Center by day. At night, they can be found working backstage at various other theaters on island. In the rare moments Al escapes the clutches of theatre, they can be found with their partner Alex.
Selected credits: Lifespan of a Fact (MVT) Stage Manager/ Assistant Director, Rotterdam (TAG) Stage Manager, The Play That Goes Wrong (MVT) Jill/Deck crew, You're NOT Sick (Corpus Productions) Stage Manager, Both Your Houses (HSF) Vee/Stage Manager, Leviathan (Leviathan Dance) Stage Manager.