Drama teacher’s lessons went beyond stage

Ronald E. Bright, the beloved Castle High School drama teacher who inspired thousands of students to learn — and love — Broadway-style theater, died Tuesday at the age of 81.

Bright’s three children — Clarke Bright, Jodi Bright Stein and Michael Bright — issued a statement Tuesday announcing his death, while asking for privacy.

"On behalf of the Ronald E. Bright family, we are saddened to report that our father, Ronald E. Bright, has passed away today," the children said. "On behalf of his entire ohana, we kindly request that our privacy be respected during this very difficult time. We appreciate your understanding."

Services are pending.

More recently, Bright continued to direct Broadway-style shows at Paliku Theatre on the Windward Community College campus.

Bright officially retired in 1993 after 36 years at Castle High School, then went on to serve as artistic director of the Castle Performing Arts Center, which was based in the Castle High School theater named after him.

The performing arts center that Bright helped establish in 1984 became a model for other schools.

"Ron Bright was a legend in the Hawaii state Department of Education for his work as an educator and mentor," Hawaii schools Superintendent Kathryn Mata­yo­shi said in a statement. "His excellence in education earned him the Milken Award in 1990; and in 1994, Castle High’s theater became the Ronald E. Bright Theatre.

"Mr. Bright, or ‘Mr. B.’ as he was affectionately known, has positively influenced countless number of students and educators. He taught students and friends to always believe in themselves. We are so grateful for his inspiring lessons."

Long before she became Gov. David Ige’s spokes­woman, then-Castle High School junior Jodi Leong appeared as Liesl Von Trapp in Bright’s Castle High School production of "The Sound of Music" and also appeared in "Fiddler on the Roof," "My Fair Lady" and "Brigadoon" at Castle.

"The Windward side didn’t have theater productions," Leong said. "So this little school in the country brought art to this community and changed the face of the Windward side, where so many success stories came from because of ‘Mr. B.’"

After being honored with the Alfred Pries Award from the Hawaii Alliance for Arts Education for his lifetime commitment to public school education, Bright said in a 1999 interview that his work with students went beyond teaching them theater production.

"Kids don’t fail," he said. "You gotta make them go from success to success to make them good enough, but with enough humility as they go through life to feel good about themselves and love and respect the art."

He called casting "the hardest thing I do."

"I’m very tenderhearted when it comes to kids’ disappointment," Bright said. "We have a sit-down session before they audition, and we talk about caring about each other’s feelings and how we want everybody to feel good about what they do, and we tell the parents what our mission is and how we care about getting these kids to grow."

Bright grew up in Hilo with no interest in theater but made his stage debut as a high school senior after being coerced into a show.

He tried studying accounting and business administration in college, but after a month in Los Angeles researching theater and film opportunities, he switched majors at the University of Hawaii to become a teacher.

"He did some acting in high school, but he’s always been an educator at heart," said Allan Lau, who was production manager at Castle Performing Arts Center and moved over to become Bright’s production manager at Paliku Theatre. "For him it was primarily watching students believe in themselves, learning anything they didn’t know and coming to the realization that they are far capable beyond anything they thought. Education was always important for him."

Even in retirement, Bright turned his energy to Paliku Theatre, where he directed productions including "The Phantom of the Opera," "Miss Saigon," "Les Mise­rables" and, most recently, "Hair­spray."

Many of the Paliku Theatre performers had fallen in love with theater at Castle under Bright.

Michael Bright, who performed professionally in a "Miss Saigon" touring company, starred in his father’s version of "Les Mise­rables" at Paliku Theatre. Bright’s oldest son, Clarke, is bandmaster of the Royal Hawaiian Band.

Leong considered the Brights her second family and always called Ron Bright "Poppo."

"He was my drama teacher from the time I was 14, and he became a second dad to me," she said. "For so many students, he became their guide and taught his students work ethics, being a team player. He taught them how to laugh, how to have fun and to believe in themselves. He righted a lot of lives during my time there and beyond. There are so many people who owe their success and happiness to this man, but he would never take credit."

Although Bright had performed himself, including playing piano on the "Campus Canteen" television show, "that was not his passion," Leong said. "His passion was directing and guiding young people."

She returned to Castle High School in 1994 when the theater was named after her mentor.

"He was honored beyond belief," Leong said. "But he didn’t talk about it much because he was one of the most humble people, if not the most humble person, I know. He wanted to use that facility to help young people discover their dreams.

"It’s safe to say that thousands of people went through his program," Leong said. "So many went on to Broadway and to successful careers even in other fields because of Poppo because he gave us the confidence and the work ethic and integrity. It was always about laughter, team effort and love. Everything was love."

In a statement, Mayor Kirk Caldwell called Bright "a legend and a giant in Hawaii’s music and theater communities, with a heart that was equally large."

Caldwell added, "His commitment to helping Hawaii’s youth find their passion and the courage to perform on stage will live on for many generations to come. Ron’s son, Clarke Bright, is the city’s bandmaster of the Royal Hawaiian Band, so we feel a deep loss within our city ohana as well. While this is a sad day for his family and for all those whose lives he touched, I think there will be some great musical performances in heaven now that Ron is there."

Along with his children and grandchildren, Bright is survived by his wife of 55 years, Moira.