Carol Culver has been a professional dancer, singer and actress since she was 17. She appeared on Broadway, TV and in film, and has choreographed for stage, TV, film, rock videos and commercials. Among the movies she can be seen in are Steven Spielberg’s 1941, Pennies From Heaven, Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Sgt Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band, and the original movie Grease as one of the featured dancers and assistant choreographer to Pat Birch. She made her Broadway debut in The Boy Friend playing the lead role, Polly, at age 21 and later played Patty Simcox in both the National Tour and Broadway companies of Grease. She directed and choreographed productions of Grease for San Diego Starlight, the Carolina Broadway Theatre Company, and here on Kauai in 2005. Her choreography has been seen on Kauai in over 20 musical theatre productions. She has been the dance teacher for the HCT Summer Stars program most years since it’s inception. And she has enjoyed directing for Hawaii Children’s Theatre over the past 7 years, during which time she directed and choreographed HCT’s fall shows Mary Poppins, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Matilda, & Seussical. In addition, she still finds time to teach dance classes through her Carol Culver Dance Academy and has been teaching on Kauai since 2000.

Ben Nause is the Choir Director and Music Teacher at Island School in Lihue, Kaua’i, and the Collaborative Pianist at Wai‘oli Hui‘ia Church in Hanalei. Ben is excited to be the Musical Director for HCT’s The Music Man! Ben received his Masters of Music in Vocal Performance from the University of Southern Mississippi and his Bachelors of Music in Music Education from Susquehanna University. Originally from Swoyersville, Pennsylvania, he has worked on Kaua’i for 5 years promoting a passion for performing and choral education. Ben is the Collaborative Pianist for the Kaua’i Chorale, a 50+ member community ensemble that has performed major choral works and pop classics. He has collaborated with several performing arts groups on the island—including Sing Out Kaua’i, Kaua’i Performing Arts Center, Hawaii Children's Theatre and Kaua’i Community Players—in roles such as soloist, accompanist, and musical director. In addition to his work in the classroom, Ben is deeply engaged in both local and international music communities. He has performed abroad in Japan and New Zealand and has volunteered at the 2024 World Choir Games in Auckland. At Island School, he also serves as the Enrichment Department Chair, where he continues to advocate for the importance of arts education in schools. He also serves on two executive boards here in the state of Hawaii. Here on Kauai, he is a part of the Kaua‘i Concert Association, an organization dedicated to bringing world-class musicians and cultural events to the island community. He currently serves as the Membership Chair of the Hawai‘i Chapter of the American Choral Directors Association where he promotes and connects members of the organization across all the islands. Both of these organizations benefit Ben’s love for important community bonding. In his free time, Ben enjoys going to the beach, hiking, playing Pokemon, and following the Philadelphia Phillies in the MLB.

Allegra grew up performing with HCT. She has played many roles on and off the stage! Currently she is HCT's Executive Director and Co-Producer for "The Music Man". She is also a proud mama of her two amazing kiddos performing onstage this year! You may have seen Allegra as Maria in "The Sound of Music", Mary Poppins in "Mary Poppins", Miss Honey in "Matilda the Musical", and Sally in "Cabaret". She is excited to share this amazing show with you!

Tom has spent the last 50+ years directing, acting, teaching/coaching, and, most recently writing (Acting: A Field Guide to the Craft is currently being edited and will be available soon). As a director, Tom has tackled everything from The Drowsy Chaperone, The Producers, Sweeney Todd and Rent to Much Ado About Nothing and Twelfth Night. Most recently, Tom directed last year's Summer Stars production of Willy Wonka Jr. as well as HCT's Fall 2023 production of Elf, the Musical, and 2024 production of The SpongeBob Musical. He has also recently directed Constellations Kauai Community Players. 2025, Tom is proud to be a part of HCT Academy's expanded 52 week curriculum of classes focused in developing the next generation of Theatre Artists, teaching Acting, Acting/Film Production and Musical Theatre Auditioning Workshops as well as overseeing Musical Theatre "Bootcamps". More details can be found at https://tomfrascatore.com/

Debra came out of producer retirement to take the reins again with Allegra Gaines. If you came to a show, other than Summer Stars programs, in the past 25 years, she probably produced that one! “Thank you for supporting this wonderful show and Hawaii Children’s Theatre, a unique and important non-profit organization in support of Kauai’s kids and entire community.”

Jessie graduated from Waimea High School where she was in KPAC’s production of “Beauty & the Beast”. After that she became interested in stage crewing & tech and went on to work backstage for local shows. Jessie left Kauai to study abroad in London just before Covid. She came back after the pandemic & began stage managing with Marly Madayag (thanks Marly!) while working full time as an RBT. This is her second time stage managing with HCT. She’d like to especially thank Tom, Allegra, Deb, & Dolly for welcoming her to HCT & letting her have so much fun it’s crazy!

At 15, Fia has been part of Hawaii Children's Theatre since age 4, having grown up in the Summer Stars program and having participated in many HCT Fall Shows. Under the guidance of Carol Culver, a longtime dance instructor for her family, Fia has become a seasoned dancer. Excited to contribute, Fia now serves as the Dance Assistant for "The Music Man"!

Sophia Palumbo is currently a student at Kauai Community College and first discovered her love for costume design at Millburn High School, where she worked on productions like "The Prom", "Marian: Or The True Tale of Robin Hood" and "Beauty and the Beast". During that time, she also began working with Pixie Dust Players, designing costumes for shows such as "Beetlejuice JR", "Seussical", and "9 to 5 JR". Sophia has had so much fun helping bring "The Music Man" to life and is thrilled to be part of the HCT team!

Bobbee Downs was the first Artistic Director and co-founder of HCT, which was preceded by Kauai Kids at Play, beginning in 1997. A graduate of Yale University Children's Theatre program, she brings forty years of experience to the program. She's old! Though retired she is always interested in the ongoing development of the aesthetic values and activities for kids in HCT. With an undergraduate degree in Hair & Makeup she loves coming back for the Mainstage production. Having directed over 300 productions she still finds it amazing to get paid to play!

Terri discovered her love for live theater when she met her husband, George, and watched him perform in community theater musicals and plays. She loved working backstage with stage management and set building. When they moved to Kauai five years ago, he directed and she stage managed the musical, All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten which was a hit for Kauai Community Players. Since then she has stage managed several shows for KCP and become friends with many of the local actors. She took on a new challenge last year as prop master for HCT's SpongeBob Musical. Looking forward to being a part of The Music Man ohana.

Emily has been involved in the tech side of HCT productions since Seussical, first as a spotlight operator and for the last 3 years as Audio Engineer making sure everyone can be heard. She loves musicals and being a part of the magic that is theater.

Charlotte has been part of the HCT ʻohana for generations. She’s watched her daughter, Allegra, grow up on the HCT stage, and now her grandchildren, Fia and Asher, are continuing the tradition—Fia is even stepping into a teaching role. A chiropractor who has called Kauaʻi home for over 35 years, Charlotte has also contributed her creative talents behind the scenes, costuming several productions (especially the ones her family performs in!). She loves supporting the magic of theater and the joy it brings to her family and the community.