
SCHOOL OF THEATRE ARTS AT MVT
JO PRUDEN
The
Arts Education for All: Transforming Passion into Performance.
A reduction in class fees, making theatre education more accessible
Competitive salaries for our talented Teaching Artists
Scholarships and financial aid to ensure no student is turned away due to financial barriers
The Jo Pruden Theatre Arts Fellowship for Women, a unique mentorship program that provides young women with hands-on experience in all aspects of theatre production, alongside paid stipends for each production

ABOUT
JO PRUDEN
“IF ACTING IS YOUR PASSION, DON’T YOU DARE STOP DOING IT FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE.”
Jo Pruden was a renowned actress in Honolulu, celebrated for her remarkable contributions to local theater. Born in Enterprise, Alabama, she graduated from Alabama College at the University of Montevallo, majoring in Speech and Drama. After working in local television and serving as editor of TV Guide magazine, she arrived in Hawaii in 1967 and quickly took the lead in “Send Me No Flowers” at Schofield Barracks Little Theatre. Over the next 51 years, she appeared in over 85 productions, with her final performance in KOA’s “Marjorie Prime” on her 80th birthday in 2019. Jo starred in episodes of the original Hawaii Five-O and the original Magnum, P.I., won 18 Hawaii State Theatre Council Po’okela Awards, and was honored as “The Best Actress Working in Local Theater” by the Honolulu Weekly in 1996. Despite a stroke in 2021, she continued to perform, with her last role alongside her husband in “Love Letters” just a month before her death. Jo was often referred to as “The First Lady of Hawaii Theater” for her dedication and extraordinary talent.

THE JO PRUDEN THEATRE ARTS
FELLOWSHIP FOR WOMEN
A UNIQUE MENTORSHIP PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES YOUNG WOMEN WITH HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE IN ALL ASPECTS OF THEATRE PRODUCTION, ALONGSIDE PAID STIPENDS FOR EACH PRODUCTION.
Mānoa Valley Theatre is proud to offer the Jo Pruden Theatre Arts Fellowship, a unique mentorship opportunity for young women aspiring to build a career in theatre. Each season, one promising young woman will be selected to join the creative team for our six mainstage productions.
As a fellow, you’ll receive hands-on mentorship from industry professionals in all aspects of theatre arts production, including directing, stage management, lighting design, sound design, and more. This immersive experience is designed to provide comprehensive training and foster professional growth in the theatre arts.
In addition to gaining invaluable experience, fellows will receive a stipend for each production, acknowledging their commitment and contributions throughout the season.
If you're passionate about theatre and eager to learn from experienced mentors, the Jo Pruden Theatre Arts Fellowship is an exciting opportunity to be part of Manoa Valley Theatre’s creative legacy.
WORKSHOPS +
MASTERCLASSES
