On October 15 and October 16, 2025 we held auditions for the upcoming production of Panji and the Lost Princess at Studio S of Kennedy Theatre. This is a large-scale Balinese shadow puppetry performance in the tradition of wayang listrik: it features giant shadow puppets in combination with live action and gamelan orchestra. Co-Directed by Kirstin Pauka and I Madé Moja, Panji and the Lost Princess is scheduled to open on April 17, 2026 on Kennedy Theatre’s Mainstage.
There was significant interest in the auditions, both among students at the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa and the local community, so call-backs took place on October 24, 2025. The casting team of co-directors Kirstin Pauka and I Madé Moja, included also I Madé Widana, Musical Director, Composer, and Choreographer; Annie Reynolds, Associate Musical Director and Dance Coach; and Ed Refuerzo, Assistant Director. They were assisted by Maggie Ivanova, Graduate Assistant for the Asian Theatre Program and Stage Manager. Yati Paseng, the show’s Dramaturg was also in attendance.
The auditions’ goal was to cast twelve actor-dancers, whose characters would perform both in front of the shadow screen and behind it; ten puppeteers and shadow casters, responsible for the majority of visual effect behind the shadow screen; and eight ceremonial dancers. These performers will join 20+ gamelan players and several keiki dancers.
In the next blog, we’ll share the cast of Panji and the Lost Princess.
By Maggie Ivanova
Balinese Wayang Listrik at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa 