Blog
Designing Wayang Listrik Masks
A prominent feature of our production of Panji and the Lost Princess is the use of 3D shadow masks, which allow a performer to create movement of the head without turning the body. In traditional wayang kulit, the entire puppet turns if a character needs to look back, for example. 3D shadow masks were created…
Panji Rehearsals Begin on Kennedy Theatre’s Mainstage
Training in shadow-casting and puppetry technique started on December 1, 2025 in Kennedy Theatre at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. During the first week of December, all student performers were called on the theatre’s mainstage to observe and learn some foundational techniques on handling the puppets and shadow scenery slides, navigating distances and angles…
Costumes for Panji and the Lost Princess
Panji and the Lost Princess features a variety of dance and live action, both in front of the projection screen and shadow-cast on it, accompanied by gamelan music. In Balinese wayang listrik, actor-dancers, ceremonial dancers (rarejangan), and gamelan musicians wear traditional costumes, stunning pieces of art which would help transport the audience into the Kingdom…
The Cast of “Panji and the Lost Princess” Announced
Co-Directed by Kirstin Pauka and I Madé Moja have announced the cast of Panji and the Lost Princess after call-backs held on October 24, 2025. Gamelan and dance rehearsals started on November 4 and November 6, respectively, after an all-cast meeting was held on November 3. This first all-cast meeting provided an opportunity for performers…
Successful Panji Auditions Held
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…
Hitting the Stage: Balinese Wayang Listrik is Electric
The University of Hawaii at Manoa is well-known for its productions of non-Western theatre. The latest, under the direction of Kirstin Pauka, Subali-Sugriwa: Battle of the Monkey Kings, a Balinese Wayang Listrik, is an impressive production. Check out Amy Johnson’s article/review on Hitting the Stage!
Opening Weekend was a HUGE SUCCESS.
Come see us next weekend before tickets sell out! “Who said monkeys need wings to fly? (ps. UH’s ‘Battle of the Monkey Kings’ is pretty awesome.)” – Photo courtesy of Chesley Cannon
Ka Leo: How Shadows Tell The Story
In some ways, the most impressive part of Subali-Sugriwa: Battle of the Monkey Kings isn’t the images you see on the large white screen or the actors in front of it, it is the flurry of activity and props behind it. Check out Ka Leo’s article on our production’s backstage process!
Hawai’i Public Radio HPR-2: Plugged in Shadows
There’s a new twist on the tradition brewing at Kennedy Theatre… Check out Noe Tanigawa’s article on HPR-2!
Balinese Wayang Listrik at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa 