Honoring the Vision & Courage

Ally’s love affair with the entertainment industry began at the age of four, performing with her mother and father in regional theatre. While everyone expected that she’d end up in front of the camera, her years at Northwestern University guided her in another direction. Armed with a degree in Television & Film she began to climb through the entertainment industry as a producer and creative director with stops along the way at Lifestyles of the Rich & Famous, the Sci•Fi Channel, Disney’s Buena Vista Television in Los Angeles as Director of Creative Services, and eventually to partner in Beantown Productions, one of the most sought after broadcast marketing companies in Los Angeles & NY.

In July of 2008, she sold her interest in Beantown and launched A. Shore Thing to produce marketing and fundraising events for nonprofits and charitable organizations. In 2011, she finally moved full-time to Maui where she and her partner had planned to retire…but the theater community had a different plan. Since arriving she has worked tirelessly to support the arts both on stage and behind the scenes.

When asked, Ally said…”Theatre & arts have been a part of my life for as long as I can remember, and I’ve never felt happier or more content than I do now as a member of the Maui Arts community.”

Born and raised North of Boston, Daniel followed his family to Maui in 2001 – the best move he ever made. Daniel’s wide and varied career takes in bookstore management for Boston University, MIT, and Harvard University, office management, music & choir direction, writing food and humor columns for Maui No Ka Oi Magazine, co-owning a successful catering and restaurant business, and environmental volunteerism and activism on Maui and Kaho’olawe.

Daniel is currently enjoying his dream job, working for Maui AIDS Foundation as a Medical Case Manager, and is deeply honored to be the Secretary of the Board of Directors at ProArts on Maui.

In his spare time, Daniel is devoted to classic films, flop musicals, baking, fake tap-dancing, his two dogs, and his partner of 32 years. His plans for the future include getting a degree in social work, writing a bestselling cookbook, enjoying more smart cocktails, and staging (and starring in) “Headin’ for the Bottom Blues” from the immortal musical Ankles Aweigh.

Ted graduated from Santa Clara University with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and an emphasis in Organic and BioChemistry. He then graduated from Marquette University in 2006 with a Doctorate in Physical Therapy, where Dean Larry “The Man” Pan noted “on any given day we were not sure if Ted would fail out or be President of the APTA.”

Ted moved to Maui in 2008 and soon after began Venture Physical Therapy with his wife Ann Anderson. He has since expanded the practice to two clinics and In-Home Therapy covering Maui and Lana’i. He is a Board Certified Orthopedic Specialist.

He is also a formerly Disgraced Astronaut, Avenger’s Applicant, and a regional Poke Enthusiast. He started a failed non-profit organization Philanthropy through Philandering which incurred substantial legal costs and was shut down in the Summer of 2011. He has published three studies proving conclusively that pennies found on the ground are not a digestible source of copper but an excellent source of the common cold and street gum. (*Note from the ED: He’s also a comedian and expert satirist, if you can’t otherwise tell.)

Ted is devoted to the Maui Community, sits on the Board of Directors at Maui Adult Day Care Centers, and travels the island presenting free Caregiver Training Courses. When not at work, he can be found with his wife and daughters hiding fresh meat products in the women’s shoe section of Target, spearfishing, or on whatever stage will have him.

Charen Aki Kepler is the Executive Director of Ka Ipu Kukui, a leadership development program whose mission is to educate, cultivate, and inspire emerging leaders in Maui Nui. Before joining Ka Ipu Kukui, Kepler worked at the Old Lāhainā Lū’au in varying management and leadership positions, ending her over 20-year career there as the Director of Leadership Development and Community Giving.

Kepler’s educational background includes a Master of Arts in Organizational Management, a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, and an Associates’s Degree in Hawaiian Studies. She is currently earning a Ph.D., and enrolled in a doctorate program in Organizational Leadership.

As a kanaka maoli, Kepler lives by the Hawaiian values of kuleana (responsibility), mālama (stewardship), and ‘ike (knowledge). She believes in the responsibility of learning how to better care for our islands and each other, and act in ways that protect Hawaii’s unique culture and resources by maintaining tradition while adapting to modern-day needs and challenges. Kepler is eager to bring her knowledge and experience in leadership, cultural diversity, time, talents, and network to ProArts.

A retired college educator and administrator, Marji and her husband love theatre, which has long been a part of their lives. Marji notes, “I went to my first Broadway musical when I was 8; Michael’s mother was a set designer, actress and a founder of Nashville’s Children’s Theater. My primary interest in being on this board is to keep and grow live theater on South Maui and to support Maui’s many talented performers.”

Marji was the director of an Intensive English Language Institute at the University of North Texas during grad school and then a teacher trainer at Colorado State in the 80s. For 20 years, she wrote grants and managed workforce development programs for the California Community Colleges, retiring as Dean of Economic Development. Over the past 30 years, she has volunteered on boards or committees for TESOL, her professional organization; KARA, a grief counseling organization; Peace of Mind Dog Rescue, and Carmel’s Golden Bough Theater by donating, fundraising, grant writing, and event planning. On Maui, Marji serves on two HOA boards She is also on the Board of The Sacred Garden. Marji has had years of experience in problem-solving, budget management and managing by committee. Marji and Michael have been supporters of ProArts since founder Jonathan Lehman opened the doors.

Sarah has a Bachelor of Science from the University of Oregon, having majored in Physics and minored in Theater Arts. She is an Engineering Manager for the Boeing Company, a member of performance and production group Cabaret & Cocktails, and a costumer for the Maui Theater ‘ohana. Some of her favorite shows that she’s costumed are The Wizard of Oz, La Cage Aux Folles, Cabaret, Shout!, Ruthless!, Chicago, and The Addams Family Musical.

As a mother of two kids under 4 years-old, Sarah’s goals are to get enough sleep and not go too crazy doing dishes and laundry.

Growing up in Southern California in the 1950’s Claire would dream that someday…she would be a Supreme Court Justice, or a Broadway Musical Star or maybe a Rodeo Cowgirl…Anything was possible….so…after an amazing growing-up time filled with theater, horses, and many adventures….. she founded and ran schools for exceptional children in Los Angeles for 25 years (requiring great mediation and problem-solving skills), served on the Board of Directors for a professional regional theatre company in Ventura for 25 years (serving the arts in a most glorious way), owned and operated a large full-service equestrian facility in Ojai for 25 years (yee haw!), all at the same time….dreams do come true.

Claire’s most recent dream come true is retiring and living full-time on this magical island with her amazing husband (who is not yet retired). They are devoted to their 5 children, 14 grandchildren and supporting their life journeys. They play a lot of tennis and completely immerse themselves in all that Maui has to offer and hope to give back to our community in ways that honor and serve.

Claire believes the arts are transformative. She believes the arts speak a universal language that brings people together. She believes she is one lucky problem-solving, singing, cowgirl to be part of this innovative and artistically collaborative organization. She is excited and ready to serve.