With almost 34 years’ seniority as a Hawaiian Airlines flight attendant, Kalihi-born Jim Aina can shift his flight schedule to fit his successful theater career. In the 14 years since he returned to the local stage, the Kamehameha Schools graduate has given memorable performances playing heroes and villains in comedies and dramas alike.
Aina made local theater history with Karen Hironaga earlier this year when they played a married couple that spoke in unison throughout both acts of Lee Cataluna’s “Uncle’s Regularly Scheduled Garage Party is CANCELLED Tonight” at Kumu Kahua Theatre.
Aina, 55, makes his debut as a director with The Actors’ Group production of “Boy,” opening Friday at the Brad Powell Theatre in Iwilei.
JOHN BERGER: What is it about “Boy” that caught your attention as something you wanted to direct?
JIM AINA: It’s so multilayered. … Another thing is that I just related to the story of this boy. We’ve all been in situations where we felt that we couldn’t voice who we are, and that’s what the story is basically about: finding your authentic voice and finding your identity and then claiming it.
It’s affected me, and I’m hoping for the same with our audiences.
JB: What’s the biggest difference between acting and directing?
JA: As an actor you do a lot of things in isolation. You learn your lines, you make choices for the character, you show up, you play a little bit with other characters and then you leave.
As a director you never seem to “leave the theater” because at the end of the day it all comes back to you — props design, costuming, lighting. You have the last say about everything.
JB: Did you take a class on directing or did you rely on past theater experiences?
JA: I did not (take a class), so the first thing I did was make a list of all the plays that I’ve been in and all the directors. And I started making a list of the things I loved about them and the things I didn’t.
I‘m relying a lot on instinct and things I’ve observed as an actor.
JB: How did you and Karen Hironaga get to where you could speak in unison without looking at each other for cues?
JA: I would meet Karen at her office at 5:30 and we’d stay at times until 11:30 at night rehearsing over and over. It took that kind of rehearsal to do it.
“On the Scene” appears weekly in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser Sunday Magazine. Reach John Berger at jberger@staradvertiser.com.
