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Justina Taft Mattos, Director

e-mail: justinamattos@gmail.com

Education
 

•         Ph.D.                    Theatre Arts, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa.  2002        

•         M.A.                      Theatre, University of Oregon, 1993

•         B.A. with honors   Liberal Studies - Theatre Emphasis, University of Hawai'i at Hilo, 1990

•         Certificate             Hawaiian Culture, University of Hawai'i at Hilo  (3 yrs. Hawaiian Language), 1989

Directing
  • Wailau, an online storytelling series created/hosted by UH Hilo. (Episode 4: forthcoming May 2022) https://hilo.hawaii.edu/wailau/

  • Now & Then: Valentine Vignettes 2022, an online theatrical event, UH Hilo, Spring 2022

  • Holly Jolly Holidays, an online showcase of songs, dances, and scenes. UH Hilo, fall 2021

  • Wailau, an online storytelling series created/hosted by UH Hilo. (Episode 3: Nov. 2021) https://hilo.hawaii.edu/wailau/

  • Scary Scenarios 2021, an online offering of original monologues, UH Hilo, Fall 2021.

  • Banyan by Jeannie Barroga, UH Hilo, (filmed during summer & shared online 9/11), fall 2021

  • E Hoʻomau: Endure, Living History performances featuring Liliʻuokalani at Washington Place (written/performed by Jackie Pualani Johnson) and Lorrin Thurston at Volcano House (written/performed by Peter Charlot). Shared online at UH Hilo in collaboration with Kumu Kahua Theatre, summer 2021

  • Lā Makuahine, an online community collaboration showcasing stories, poems, and songs celebrating moms. UH Hilo, spring 2021

  • Wailau, an online storytelling series created/hosted by UH Hilo. (Episode 2: April 2021) https://hilo.hawaii.edu/wailau/

  • Sanctuary by Ryan Okinaka, Creative Lab Hawaiʻi statewide online play festival, spring 2021

  • The Conversion of Kaʻahumanu by Victoria Nalani Kneubuhl, UH Hilo, spring 2021 (shared online due to pandemic)

  • Virtually Yours: Valentine Vignettes 2021, an online theatrical event, UH Hilo, Spring 2021

  • Wailau, an online storytelling series created/hosted by UH Hilo. (Episode 1: Feb. 2021) https://hilo.hawaii.edu/wailau/

  • Kalikimaka 2020, an online community collaboration showcasing stories, poems, songs and memories, UH Hilo, Fall 2020

  • MOORE: A Pacific Island Othello by Stephen Kepano Richter, (Production received the KCACTF Region 8 Commendation for Meritorious Achievement), UH Hilo, Fall 2020.

  • Scary Scenarios 2020, an online theatrical event via zoom, UH Hilo, Fall 2020.

  • The Hawaiian Nutcracker, Directorial Consultant for Dance Extravaganza, UH Hilo, Fall 2019.

  • Scary Scenarios 2019, a serial-theatre event featuring monologues written by Lopaka Kapanui, Nani Mau Gardens, fall 2019.

  • Moʻo Huelo: Tale of a Tail, a musical by Justina Taft Mattos for KEAKA Hawaiian Language Theatre Festival, UH Hilo, summer 2019

  • RENT, a rock-musical by Jonathan Larson, University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo, spring 2019

  • Scary Scenarios 2018, a serial-theatre event featuring works by student playwrights, UH Hilo, fall 2018

  • Aloha Las Vegas, a Pidgin comedy by Edward Sakamoto, University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo, spring 2018

  • ʻEkolu, a bi-lingual (Hawaiian/Pidgin) production for children, toured Hilo area schools spring 2018 [featured in language revitalization documentary]

  • Scary Scenarios 2017, a serial-theatre event featuring works by student playwrights, UH Hilo & Nani Mau Gardens, fall 2017

  • Kakahiaka, a musical by Justina Taft Mattos, for KEAKA Hawaiian Language Theatre Festival at UH Hilo, summer 2016

  • The Trial of Liliʻuokalani by Maurice Zimring, Hilo Community Players, fall 2013

  • Go, Dog. Go!  a musical by Allison Gregory & Steven Dietz, University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo, fall 2011

  • Once Upon One Noddah Time, a musical by Lisa Matsumoto, Downtown Hilo’s Historic Palace Theater, fall 2008

  • Once Upon One Time, a musical by Lisa Matsumoto, Volcano Art Center, summer 2007

  • Another Heaven by Eric Anderson, University of Hawai’i at Hilo, fall 2005

  • Burn This by Lanford Wilson, Ulua Theatre at Pu Mu, summer 2005 (co-directed with Jason Scott Lee)

  • Aloha Friday by Lee Cataluna, University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo, fall 2004

  • You Somebody, a musical by Lee Cataluna, Volcano Art Center, summer 2004

  • The Vagina Monologues by Eve Ensler, the Palace Theatre in Hilo & Aloha Theatre in Kainaliu, 2004  (co-directed with Trina Nahm-Mijo)

  • Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare, Hilo Community Players’ Shakespeare in the Park, summer 2003

  • ‘Ohana: Through the Eyes of the Children, Hilo Community Players’ Children’s Theatre Workshop, 2003

  • Stew Rice by Edward Sakamoto, University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo, fall 2002

  • Hilo Rains by Justina Mattos, Mahina Productions in Hilo, Hawai‘i 2001

  • Lessons from Mother Adele’s Faith, Mission and Action by Justina Mattos, Chaminade University of Honolulu, 2000

  • Santa and the Efficiency Expert by Frances B. Watts, Our Redeemer Lutheran High School in Honolulu, Hawai'i 1994

  • Life Under Water by Richard Greenberg, an evening of one-act plays, University of Hawai'i at Hilo, 1989

 

  Assistant Directing & Associated Work                                                                                   

  • Antony and Cleopatra by William Shakespeare, Assistant Director, Hilo Community Players, 2014

  • One Uddah Midsummah by William Shakespeare, Assistant Director, Hilo Community Players, 2002

  • Seascape with Sharks and Dancer by Don Nigro, an evening of scenes, University of Oregon, 1993

  • Fledglings of the Night by Claudia Riley, Assistant Director, Hilo Community Players, 1987

  • Dracula’s Disciple, Assistant to the Director, Footloose Films, San Francisco California, 1982

  • Cinderwolf and Snowtroll, Inc., Assistant to the Director, Celebration Company in Urbana, Illinois 1981

  • Same Time Next Year, Assistant to the Director, Celebration Company in Urbana, Illinois 1981

 

Producing
  • Director & Co-Producer, Wailau (a storytelling series for UH Hilo) 2021-present

  • Co-Producer, KEAKA Hawaiian Language Theatre Festival 2016, 2019.

  • Project Director, "How I See It: Health Care Concerns in Our Community"  (video)  UH Hilo College of Pharmacy, 2011

  • Co-Producer, "Toward Living Pono: A Documentary with Jason Scott Lee"  BaciPix, 2006-2011

  • Producer & Co-Director, “Getting There… From Here” (Educational video) for ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center, 2009

  • Co-Producer & Co-Director, “Journeys” (Educational video) for ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center, 2009

  • Co-Producer, “One Ocean, One Sky,” Planetarium Show.  ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center of Hawai`i. 2007

  • Producer & Co-Director, “Burn This” at the Ulua Theatre at Pu Mu (Volcano, Hawai’i), 2005

  • Producer & Director, “Hilo Rains” Lunch-time Mystery Theatre for Mahina Productions, 2001

  • Drama Advisor, Lutheran High School in Honolulu, Hawai'i, 1994

 

 

 

Related Technical Experience                                                                            
  • Moʻo Huelo, Costume Design & Construction, UH Hilo/KEAKA Hawaiian Language Theatre Festival, 2019

  • ʻEkolu, Costume Design & Construction, University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo, 2018

  • Aloha Friday, Set Design, Video props design/coordinator, University of Hawai'i at Hilo, 2004

  • Hilo Rains, Costume and Properties design & construction, Mahina Productions in Hilo, 2001

  • Lessons from Mother Adele’s Faith…, Costume design, Chaminade University of Honolulu, 2000

  • Santa and the Efficiency Expert, Costumes, Set design & construction, Lutheran High School in Honolulu, 1994

  • Roosters, Costume Design and Construction, University of Oregon, 1993

  • Into The Woods, Props Design and Construction, University of Oregon, 1991

  • A Play: A Play, Costume Design and Construction, University of Hawai'i at Hilo, 1990

  • Sister Mary Ignatius Explains It All For You, Makeup Design & Application, University of Hawai'i at Hilo, 1988

  • West Side Story, Stage Manager, University of Hawai'i at Hilo, 1987

 

 

 

 

Professional References                                                                                     
 

2010 - present

2010 - present

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