EDUCATION
Master of Fine Arts, Theatre, Summa Cum Laude, University of Hawaii, Manoa, 2001
Bachelor of Arts, Theatre, Summa Cum Laude, University of California, Los Angeles, 1994
CREATIVE WORK
PRODUCTIONS
2024. Funny Bones
The Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Edinburgh, Scotland
Theatre Production
Roles: Producer, Writer, Performer2024. The Jungle Book
Kaimuki Christian School, Honolulu, HI
TYA Production
Roles: Director2023. #ENOUGH a nationwide campaign to end gun violence
The Cathedral of Saint Andrews, Honolulu, HI
Staged Reading Production
Roles: Producer2023. In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson
National Tour, USA
TYA Production
Roles: Playwright2023. Robin Hood
Kaimuki Christian School, Honolulu, HI
TYA Production
Roles: Director2022. #ENOUGH a nationwide campaign to end gun violence
Earle Ernst Lab Theatre, Honolulu, HI
Staged Reading Production
Roles: Producer2022. Eddie Wen' Go
Kennedy Theatre, Honolulu, HI
TYA Production
Roles: Director2021. JoyMobile
Artists for Community Transformation, Intl., Oahu, HI
Theatre Production
Roles: Producer, Director, Devising Lead2021. Open Your Hearts Wide
PlayBuilders of Hawaiʻi Theater Company, Oahu, HI
Film
Roles: Co-Screenplay Adaptation, Co-Director2020. Getting Ready for Eddie
Streaming “Zoom Shorts”
Theatre Production
Roles: Director2020. The Gospel of Mark
Theatre Found
Solo Streaming Theatre Production
Roles: Actor2020. Open Your Hearts Wide
PlayBuilders of Hawaiʻi Theater Company, Oahu, HI
Audio Production
Roles: Director2019. Going Home
CiRCO Summer, Liangshan, China
Village Theatre Tour
Roles: Producer, Director, Devising Lead2019. In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson
HTY, Honolulu Theatre for Youth, Honolulu, HI
TYA Production
Roles: Playwright2019. Keiki Kalo
Earle Ernst Lab Theatre, Honolulu, HI
TVY Production (theatre for the very young)
Roles: Co-Writer, Co-Director, Co-Devising Lead2019. Pi Jin Rolls the Lamp
Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF), Eugene, OR
Special Invited Scene
Roles: Director2018. Fights & Delights
Inter-Island Tour, Oahu, Maui, Hawaii Island, HI
Theatre Production Tour
Roles: Co-Director2018. Fights & Delights
Kennedy Theatre, Honolulu, HI
Theatre Production
Roles: Co-Director2017. The Last Days of Judas Iscariot
Earle Ernst Lab Theatre, Honolulu, HI
Theatre Production
Roles: Producer, Director, Actor (Jesus)2017. EXIT Monkey
Kaka‘ako Agora, Honolulu, HI
Dance Theatre Concert, Monkey Waterfall Dance Theatre Company
Roles: Actor, Dancer2016. Antigone
Kennedy Theatre Lawn, Honolulu, HI
TYA Production
Roles: Director2016. We Can! We Can!
CiRCO Summer, Liangshan, China
Village Theatre Camps + Tour
Roles: Producer, Director, Devising Lead2015. Gorilla
Commons Art Gallery, Honolulu, HI
TYA Production
Roles: Director2015. Freud's Last Session
C4 Kahala (Christ Centered Christian Church) & KCC (Kaimuki Christian Church)
Theatre Production
Roles: Director2015. The Fire of the Nosu is Rising
CiRCO Summer, Liangshan, China
Village Theatre Camps + Tour
Roles: Producer, Director, Devising Lead2015. The Journey Home
City and County of Honolulu, Environmental Services, Oahu, HI
TYA Puppet Performance Touring Production
Roles: Playwright, Director2015. Kolohe Puppet & Clowning Slam
Earle Ernst Lab Theatre, Honolulu, HI
Puppet + Clowning Slam Event
Roles: Producer2014. The BFG
Kennedy Theatre, Honolulu, HI
TYA Production
Roles: Director2014. Kolohe Puppet & Clowning Slam
Ong King Art Center, Honolulu, HI
Puppet + Clowning Slam Event
Roles: Producer2014. Eddie Wen' Go
Hawaii Theatre Center, Honolulu, HI
TYA Production
Roles: Director2014. Women Can!
CiRCO Summer, Liangshan, China
Village Theatre Camps + Tour
Roles: Producer, Director, Devising Instructor2014. The Very Persistent Gappers of Frip
Kennedy Theatre, Honolulu, HI
TYA Production
Roles: Director2014. 12 Angry Monkeys
Hawaii State Art Museum, Honolulu, HI
Dance Theatre Concert, Monkey Waterfall Dance Theatre Company
Roles: Actor, Dancer2014. Hansel & Gretel
Hawaii Theatre Center, Honolulu, HI
TYA Production
Roles: Actor (Father/Woodcutter)2013. The HIV/AIDS Sickness
CiRCO Summer, Liangshan, China
Village Theatre Camps + Tour
Roles: Producer, Director, Devising Instructor2013. Balloonacy
Oahu, HI
TYA Preschool Performance Touring Production
Roles: Producer, Actor2013. Kolohe Puppet & Clowning Slam
Ong King Art Center, Honolulu, HI
Puppet + Clowning Slam Event
Roles: Co-Producer2013. Monkey Solo
Arts at Mark's Garage, Honolulu, HI
Dance Theatre Concert, Monkey Waterfall Dance Theatre Company
Roles: Actor, Dancer2013. The Twits
Hawaii Theatre Center, Honolulu, HI
TYA Production
Roles: Actor (Mr. Twit)2012. The Nutcracker Ballet
Blaisdell Concert Hall, Honolulu, HI
Ballet Production
Roles: Actor, Stilt Walker (Mother Ginger)2012. Kolohe Puppet & Clowning Slam
Ong King Art Center, Honolulu, HI
Puppet + Clowning Slam Event
Roles: Co-Producer2012. The Giver
Kennedy Theatre, Honolulu, HI
TYA Production
Roles: Director2012. NFL Pro Bowl
Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, HI
Pre-Show Featured Entertainment
Roles: Stilt Walker2012. Cinco De Mayo Festival
Chinatown, Honolulu, HI
Featured Entertainment
Roles: Stilt Walker2012. Nosu Yi/Nosu 1
CiRCO Summer, Liangshan, China
Village Theatre Camps + Tour
Roles: Producer, Director, Devising Instructor2011. Kolohe Puppet & Clowning Slam
Ong King Art Center, Honolulu, HI
Puppet + Clowning Slam Event
Roles: Co-Producer2011. Celebrity Project
Bamboo 2, Honolulu, HI
Dance Theatre Concert, Monkey Waterfall Dance Theatre Company
Roles: Actor, Dancer
AWARDS
2021. Regents’ Medal for Excellence in Teaching, University of Hawaii Board of Regents (link)
2018. Outstanding Director of Non-Traditional Production, Po'okela Award (HSTC: Hawaii State Theatre Council)
Fights & Delights2018. Outstanding Overall Non-Traditional Production, Po'okela Award (HSTC: Hawaii State Theatre Council)
Fights & Delights2018. Special Adjudicator Award: Educational Guide, Po'okela Award (HSTC: Hawaii State Theatre Council)
Fights & Delights2016. Outstanding Director of a Play, Po'okela Award (HSTC: Hawaii State Theatre Council)
Antigone2016. Outstanding Overall Production of a Play, Po'okela Award (HSTC: Hawaii State Theatre Council)
Antigone2016. Hawkins Award, EdTA (Educational Theatre Association), Selected Participant, Arts Advocacy Day, Washington, D.C.
2015. Outstanding Ensemble Performance in a Play, Po'okela Award (HSTC: Hawaii State Theatre Council)
Gorilla2015. Outstanding Director of a Play, Po'okela Award (HSTC: Hawaii State Theatre Council)
Freud's Last Session2015. Outstanding Overall Production of a Play, Po'okela Award (HSTC: Hawaii State Theatre Council)
Freud's Last Session2014. Outstanding Director of a Musical, Po'okela Award (HSTC: Hawaii State Theatre Council)
The Very Persistent Gappers of Frip2014. Outstanding Overall Production of a Musical, Po'okela Award (HSTC: Hawaii State Theatre Council)
The Very Persistent Gappers of Frip2013. Junior Faculty Research Award, College of Arts & Humanities, University of Hawaii at Manoa
2013. Outstanding Overall Production of a Play, Po'okela Award (HSTC: Hawaii State Theatre Council)
The Giver2013. Best Director, New Play Competition, KCACTF (Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival), Region VIII, Los Angeles, CA
SCHOLARLY WORK
RESEARCH, CHAPTERS, ARTICLES
Branner, Mark, 2021. The Origin of Stories: Examining the Creative Process in Chinese TYA. China-U.S. Scholars Program (CUSP).
Branner, M. & Poblete, M., 2019. Getting Serious about Playful Play: Identifying Characteristics of Successful Theatre for Very Young Audience: ArtsPraxis, Volume 6, Number 1.
Branner, Mark, 2015. Teaching 'Theatre for Good.' Incite-Insight: A Publication of the American Alliance for Theatre & Education (AATE).
Branner, Mark, 2014. Dissertation Review of Yi-Ren Tsai's: The Representation of Taiwanese Childhood As Reflected in Taiwanese Theatre for Young Audience of the Taipei Children's Arts Festival 2000-2011.
Branner, Mark, 2014. Higher Wages, Less Pain: The Changing Role of Children in Traditional Chinese Theatre. In Entertaining Children: The Participation of Children in the Entertainment Industry. Palgrave Macmillan, 2014.
PROFESSIONAL CONFERENCES & PRESENTATIONS
2021. Childrenʻs Literate Hawaii (CLH), Honolulu, HI (digital)
Public Presentation: The Digital Pivot2021. TYA/USA University Connect, Honolulu, HI (digital)
Faculty Advisor/Co-Producer: TYA in Hawaiʻi: The Power of Storytelling2021. ASSITEJ World Congress & Festival, Tokyo, Japan (digital)
Public Presentation: TYA as Passport2020. UH Mānoa, Center for Teaching Excellence, Honolulu, HI
Public Presentation: Incorporating Oral Communication Focus Assignments Across Disciplines2019. East West Center, EWC Arts Program, Honolulu, HI
Public Presentation & Workshop: Asian Puppetry in the Classroom2019. UH Mānoa, College of Education, Honolulu, HI
Public Presentation: Finding Your “Teacher Voice”2019. KCACTF, Region VII, Eugene, OR
Conference Presentation & Workshop: The Wonderful World of Chinese Traditional Theatre (Xiqu)2017. International Association of Marine Science Libraries and Information Centers (IAMSLIC), Honolulu, HI
Public Presentation & Workshop: Let Your Hands Talk: Incorporating Puppetry Into Educational Programming2017. Hawaii-Pacific Evaluation Association, Kaneohe, HI
Roundtable Presentation: Assessing the Ephemeral: How does one evaluate the art of performance?2016. KCACTF, Region VIII, Honolulu, HI
Conference Presentation & Workshop: The Serious Work of the Clown2015. UH Mānoa Assessment Exhibit, Sinclair Library, Honolulu, HI
Poster Exhibit: Using the Invisible To Make Visible: Spotlighting Assessment Through Theatre2014. American Alliance for Theatre & Education National Conference (AATE), Denver, CO
Debut Panel Presentation: Theatre Wild: Devising Projects in the Mountains of Central China2014. East West Center, Honolulu, HI
Public Presentation: Popular Theatre in the Wilds of China's Big, Cool Mountains2013. One Theatre World (TYA/USA Theatre Festival), Playhouse Square, Cleveland, OH
Public Presentation: Important Acronyms: MFA in TYA at UHM2013. Justice, Spirituality and Education Conference, Biola University, La Mirada, CA
Paper Presentation: Doing Justice, Loving Mercy, Making Beauty: An Introduction to the Work of CiRCO Redempto2013. KCACTF, Region VIII, Los Angeles, CA
Conference Presentation & Workshop: The Art of Puppetry2012. KCACTF, Region VIII, Ogden, UT
Conference Presentation & Workshop: The Art of Physical Comedy & Clown
BLOGS
Branner, Mark, 2014. Honey, Don’t Forget the Kids! UHM Study Abroad Center featured blog post.(http://www.studyabroad.org/faculty/testimonials/honey-dont-forget-kids)
Branner, Mark, 2013. The Wondrous Abyss of Puppetry. ARTstor featured blog post.
(http://artstor.wordpress.com/2013/12/06/teaching-with-artstor-puppetry)
GRANTS
2021. China-U.S. Scholars Program (CUSP), Visiting Scholar, Grant Recipient
The Origin of Stories: Examining the Creative Process in Chinese TYA2019. University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, UROP (Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program)
Applied Theatre: Devising Theatre in the Nosu Mountain Villages of Liangshan, Sichuan.2017. University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, SEED (IDEAS)
Tim Webb, Oily Cart: Devised Theatre for Profound and Multiple Disabilities2017. University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, Department of Theatre + Dance, The Dennis Ihara Guest Artist Scholar Series
Tim Webb, Oily Cart: Devised Theatre for Profound and Multiple Disabilities2014. University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, Department of Theatre + Dance, Langhans Guest Artist Fund
Roman Stefanski, Polka Theatre: Professional Puppet Masterclass2014. University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, Diversity and Equity Initiative
The Giver, ASL (American Sign Language) Access to All
TEACHING
UHM TEACHING AREAS
Theatre for Young Audiences, Puppetry, Mask Performance, Physical Comedy & Clown, Chinese Acting: Movement & Voice, TYA Devising, TYA Production & Touring, Applied Theatre
UHM INSTRUCTIONAL COURSES
THEA 101, Introduction to World Drama and Theatre
THEA 420, Chinese Acting: Voice
THEA 427, Chinese Acting: Movement
THEA 433, Movement Workshop: Physical Comedy & Clown
THEA 472, Masked Performance
THEA 474, Theatre for Young Audiences
THEA 476, Puppetry
THEA 477, Masks & Giant Puppets
THEA 678, Topics in TYA (Touring TYA)
THEA 678, Topics in TYA (TYA in Production)
THEA 678, Topics in TYA (Adapting & Devising in TYA)
THEA 678, Topics in TYA (TVY: Theatre for the Very Young)
THEA 678, Topics in TYA (The TYA Job Market)
THEA 699, Directed Research (International TYA)
THEA 799, Seminar in TYA (Applied Theatre)
GRADUATE THESIS COMMITTEE CHAIR
In Progress. Olivia Coughlin. MFA Theatre for Young Audiences, Acting
In Progress. Nathan Drackett. MFA Theatre for Young Audiences, Acting
In Progress. Taylor Bogan, MFA Theatre for Young Audiences, Directing
In Progress. Elizabeth Gannaway, MFA Theatre for Young Audiences, Directing
In Progress. Jessica Israel, MFA Theatre for Young Audiences, Puppetry
2020. Melisa Vargas, MFA Theatre for Young Audiences, Devising
2019. Alston Albarado, MFA Theatre for Young Audiences, Acting
2019. Todd Farley, MFA Theatre for Young Audiences, Directing
2016. Margot Fitzsimmons, MFA Theatre for Young Audiences, Puppetry
2016. Nathaniel Niemi, MFA Theatre for Young Audiences, Acting
2016. Aubrey Watkins, MFA Theatre for Young Audiences, Puppetry
2015. Kimberly Shire, MFA Theatre for Young Audiences, Directing
2014. Rachael Chapman, MFA Theatre for Young Audiences, Curriculum
2014. Yasu Ishida, MFA Theatre for Young Audiences, Directing
2014. Teryl Garcia, MFA Theatre for Young Audiences, Puppetry
2014. Elise Shuford, MFA Theatre for Young Audiences, Directing
2014. Lani Winskye, MFA Theatre for Young Audiences, Curriculum
2012. Tracy Robinson, MFA Youth Theatre, Curriculum
GRADUATE THESIS COMMITTEE MEMBER
In Progress. Amanda Allen, MFA Dance Choreography
2021. Audrey Castañeda Walker, MFA Theatre for Young Audiences, Curriculum
2021. Kimberlee Stone, MFA Playwriting
2021. Rui Yao Li, MA Theatre
2018. Rachel Filbeck, MFA Theatre for Young Audiences, Curriculum
2018. Catherine Kindiger, MFA Theatre for Young Audiences, Curriculum
2018. Nicholas Brown, MFA Theatre for Young Audiences, Curriculum
2018. Jackob Hofmann, MFA Western Directing
2018. Marc Marcos, MFA Costume Design
2017. Qiaoer Zheng, MFA Asian Acting
2016. Calli Brennan, MA Western Theatre
2016. Timothy Callais, MFA Western Acting
2016. Maseeh Ganjali, MFA Asian Directing
2015. Kelsey Peacock, MFA Lighting Design
2015. Kyle Scholl, MFA Western Acting
2014. Alexander Munro, MFA Western Directing
2013. Josephine Calvo, MFA Western Acting
2013. Brittni Shambaugh, MFA Western Directing
2013. Benjamin Sota, MFA Western Directing
2012. Elizabeth Belvin, MFA Asian Acting
2012. Clara Bowden-Kerby, MFA Youth Theatre, Curriculum
2012. Jennifer Dickenson, MFA Youth Theatre, Curriculum
2012. Cindy Hartigan, MFA Youth Theatre, Curriculum
2012. Jasmine Yep, MFA Youth Theatre, Curriculum
SERVICE
NATIONAL COMMITTEES & PANELS
2014-Present. Winifred Ward Scholarship, Selection Committee Member Education, American Alliance for Theatre & Education (AATE)
2018-2019. Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Task Force (EDI), TYA/USA
2015. Strategic Planning Committee, American Alliance for Theatre & Education (AATE)
2014-2015. Young Playwrights for Change, TYA/USA National Middle School Playwriting Contest, Regional Host Coordinator
STATE COMMITTEES & PANELS
2021. Poetry Out Loud, Contest Judge, Hawaii State Competition
2021. HSFCA (Hawaii State Foundation on Culture and the Arts), Panel Review for Artists in the Schools, School Year 2021-2022
2020. Poetry Out Loud, Contest Judge, Hawaii State Competition
2020. HSFCA (Hawaii State Foundation on Culture and the Arts), Panel Review for Artists in the Schools, School Year 2020-2021
2019. HSFCA (Hawaii State Foundation on Culture and the Arts), Arts First Panel (Arts in Education Professional Development)
UNIVERSITY COMMITTEES
2021. Peer Reviewer, Assessment for Curricular Improvement Poster Exhibit, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, Assessment Center
2020. Editorial Board, Horizons, a campus-wide journal of undergraduate research, creative work and innovation
2020. TEC (Teacher Education Certification), Fine Arts Education, College of Education
2017-2019. UHM Faculty Senate
2017-2019. UHM CFS (Committee on Faculty Service)
2017. TPRC Chair (Tenure Promotion Review Committee), Windward Community College
2014-2016. UHPA Faculty Representative Advisory Committee (FRAC)
2014. UHM Assessment Leadership Institute
2013-2016. UHM General Education Committee, Foundations Board
DEPARTMENT COMMITTEES
2020-Present. Recruitment Committee, Committee Member
2019-Present. Friends of Kennedy Theatre Scholarship, Committee Member
2019-Present. Glenn Cannon Scholarship, Committee Member
2017-Present. Theatre Departmental Assessment Committee Co-Coordinator
2019. A&H (College of Arts & Humanities) Scholarship Committee, Committee Member
2019. DPC (Departmental Personnel Committee), Committee Member
2017. DPC (Departmental Personnel Committee), Chair
2014-2017. Theatre Departmental Assessment Committee Coordinator
2014. Theatre Manager, Search Committee Member
2014. Audience Services Manager, Search Committee Member
2012-2017. Recruitment Committee, Chair
2013. Manoa Experience Coordinator
2012. Lighting, Sound, Projection, Special Effects Faculty, Search Committee Chair
2012. Production Manager/Facilities Manager, Search Committee Chair
2011-2012. Tech Working Group, Committee Member
2011. Directing Faculty, Search Committee Member
COMMUNITY SERVICE: SCHOOLS
2019. Farrington High School, Kennedy Theatre Tour, Chinese Dragon Workshop
2019. Ewa Makai Middle School, Kennedy Theatre Tour, Chinese Dragon Workshop
2018. ITS (International Thespian Society) High School Theatre Festival. Planning Committee Member
2018. Noelani Elementary School, Career Week, Guest Speaker
2018. Kaimuki Christian School (KCS), Missions Emphasis Week, Guest Speaker
2017. ITS (International Thespian Society) High School Theatre Festival. Planning Committee Member
2017. Noelani Elementary School, Career Week, Guest Speaker
2017. Kaimuki Christian School (KCS), Missions Emphasis Week, Guest Speaker
2016. ITS (International Thespian Society) High School Theatre Festival. Planning Committee Member
2015. HTYAE (Hawaii Theatre Young Actors Ensemble). Teaching Artist, Physical Comedy Master Class
2015. ITS (International Thespian Society) High School Theatre Festival. Planning Committee Member
2014. Noelani Elementary School. Teaching Artist, 4th Grade
2014. HTYAE (Hawaii Theatre Young Actors Ensemble). Teaching Artist, Physical Comedy Master Class
2014. University of Hawaii, Manoa, Manoa Experience. The Very Persistent Gappers of Frip, Flash Mob Coordinator
2014. ITS (International Thespian Society) High School Theatre Festival. Planning Committee Member
2012. Kahala Elementary School. Teaching Artist, 5th Grade
2012. Hoaloha Kai Montessori, Kahala. Teaching Artist, Pre-School & Kindergarten
2012. HTYAE (Hawaii Theatre Young Actors Ensemble). Teaching Artist, Physical Comedy Master Class
2012. Honolulu Waldorf School. Teaching Artist, Physical Comedy Master Class
2012. University of Hawaii, Manoa, Ka Leo Arts Festival. Make-a-Zombie, Puppet Building Coordinator
2012. University of Hawaii, Manoa, MEdT Program. Teaching Artist, Acting/Performance Intensive
2011. University of Hawaii, Manoa, Ka Leo Arts Festival. Juggling Godot, Performance Artist
COMMUNITY SERVICE: LOCAL
2019. Jedi Training Workshop, Onizuka Day of Exploration, Scout Makahiki
2019. Kahala Blues: PlayBuilders of Hawaii Play Competition, Actor
2018. Jedi Training Workshop, Onizuka Day of Exploration, Scout Makahiki
2018. Hawaii Book and Music Festival; Featured Performance, Fights & Delights, Touring Performance
2016. Kaimuki Christian Church, February. An Introduction to Sichuan Opera, Public Presentation
2015. Kaimuki Christian Church. Clown Performance: A Day in the Park
2014. CLH, Children’s Literature Hawaii Conference; Chaminade University. The Very Persistent Gappers of Frip, Touring Performance
2014. Hawaii Book and Music Festival; Keiki Pavilion. The Very Persistent Gappers of Frip, Touring Performance
2014. Chinatown First Fridays. The Very Persistent Gappers of Frip, Flash Mob Coordinator
2014. Kaimuki Christian Church, February. An Introduction to Sichuan Opera, Public Presentation
2013. Hawaii Book and Music Festival; Keiki Pavilion. Balloonacy, Touring Performance
2013. Kaimuki Christian Church, February. An Introduction to Sichuan Opera, Public Presentation
COMMUNITY SERVICE: INTERNATIONAL
2019. CiRCO Summer. Nosu Ethnic Minority Performing Arts Devising Project (produced devising project for Nosu students)
2016. CiRCO Summer. Nosu Ethnic Minority Performing Arts Devising Project (produced devising project for Nosu students)
2015. CiRCO Summer. Nosu Ethnic Minority Performing Arts Devising Project (produced devising project for Nosu students)
2014. CiRCO Summer. Nosu Ethnic Minority Performing Arts Camps (produced multiple camps for Nosu students)
2013. CiRCO Summer. Nosu Ethnic Minority Performing Arts Camps (produced multiple camps for Nosu students)
2012. CiRCO Summer. Nosu Ethnic Minority Performing Arts Camps (produced multiple camps for Nosu students)