The Actors’ Group
Eric Nemoto originally founded TAG as a collection of aspiring actors who wanted to practice scene study back in 1993, hence the name, “The Actors’ Group.” When he wrote this name on a chalkboard in a room at the University of Hawaii in front of 15 actors, he predicted the acronym, TAG, was going to be famous one day. The group moved to a hole-in-the-wall venue on Keawe Street, called the original Yellow Brick Studio, in 1994. There TAG would morph into a small performing arts ensemble that started out by producing original written plays based on improvisational exercises. TAG would evolve and improve each year with the influx of more volunteers. It joined the Hawaii State Theatre Council (HSTC) in 2000 and became a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in 2001, and each year competed for HSTC’s annual Po`okela Awards for theatrical excellence, where it has more than won its share of best play and best actor and actress awards. In 2008 it finally left the confines of the old Yellow Brick Studio and moved to the Mendonca Building on Smith Street in Chinatown where it operated for two years. In 2010, it moved to its current home in The Shops At Dole Cannery on Iwilei Road, where its 60-seat Brad Powell Theatre provides a great intimate setting for some of Honolulu’s most compelling stage productions. Today, TAG – The Actors’ Group remains one of Hawaii’s most successful community theaters, both critically and financially, and is a place where the finest actors and directors in Hawaii can be found. It is through his connection with TAG, as founder and president, that Eric has, over the years, developed a unique knowledge and connection with many of Hawaii’s best stage talent, which he has leveraged to a great advantage. It has helped him to recruit many of his actors for the movies he produces through YBS’ LegacyVision Films.
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