Founded in 1974, Maui Academy of Performing Arts (MAPA) is a non-profit 501 (c) 3 organization dedicated to bringing educational and performing arts programs to the people of Hawaii. MAPA began as an after school drama program and was incorporated as a non-profit in the name of Maui Youth Theatre in 1977 with the goal of providing quality theatre productions for youth, by youth. In 1990, Maui Youth Theatre changed its name to Maui Academy of Performing Arts to reflect the growth and expanded direction of the organization. MAPA has continued to grow into one of the state’s largest performing arts organizations offering a full range of educational performing arts programs. Our Academy dance classes and performances build strength, grace and self confidence in hundreds of Maui's keiki every year. Our drama classes enhance self-esteem and collaboration skills. Our community productions offer what no digital form of entertainment can ever match: the magic of live theatre. And each school year, our school partnership residency programs, Voices and Take Note, use the performing arts to enhance reading skills for 8,000 Maui students while our Educational Theatre Tours bring professional theatre directly into schools across the state of Hawaii, enabling more than 35,000 kids to experience live theatre, many for the first time. Our programs today represent the efforts and experiences of nearly a million people who’ve participated with us over the past 34 years. The choices we make in terms of productions, classes, hosting events and our work in the schools are based on the belief that the arts are an essential and positive force in our lives.