Defining Courage
An immersive live event exploring stories of courage, resilience, and the human spirit
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An immersive live event exploring stories of courage, resilience, and the human spirit
Join us for these special performances in Hawaii
Defining Courage is presented by Story Boldly, the Japanese American National Museum, and Outside In Theatre, with support from The Henri and Tomoye Takahashi Charitable Foundation. Funded, in part, by a grant from the Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Japanese American Confinement Sites Grant.
Local partners for the Hawaiʻi performances are Pacific Historic Parks, Daniel K. Inouye Institute, Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii, National Park Service, and Nisei Veterans Memorial Center. The shows are sponsored by Kaimana Hila, Hawaiian Electric Industries Foundation, Island Insurance Foundation, First Hawaiian Bank, Servco, ABC Stores, and Zippy's. The Wailuku performance is supported in part by the County of Maui.
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Experience Defining Courage on the same, hallowed grounds where many local heroes once walked.
Join us for the first-ever performance of Defining Courage on Maui, proudly sponsored by:
Defining Courage is a story about what it means to be an American. The show is a journey into the legacy of the Nisei Soldier, Americans of Japanese ancestry who served in the segregated military units of the 100th IB, 442nd RCT, MIS, and 522nd FAB. Considered among the greatest fighting units in American military history, their extraordinary stories have rarely been heard.
Narrated by Emmy-winning ABC7-Los Angeles News Anchor and Filmmaker David Ono along with musicians and vocalists curated by Music Director Chris Wade, we immerse you into the profound and inspiring world of these heroes who fought prejudice at home and the enemy abroad.
SEE, HEAR, and EXPERIENCE their incredible heroics through this piece of innovative storytelling. Far from a history lesson, it is a testament to inner strength, one that inspires us in our search for courage in today's world.
Featuring piano, cello, violin, ukulele, guitar, drums, and trumpet with the RAISE choir, curated by Music Director Chris Wade. Performances have featured world class musicians including Daniel Ho, Harold Payne and the incomparable the Trio Barclay. Music composition by Sheridan Seyfried.
Immersive video projection that fills the stage for maximum visual impact, transporting audiences to WWII battlefields
Authentic eyewitness interviews and historic footage that bring these heroic stories to life, featuring personal accounts from veterans and their families
Defining Courage has touched audiences across the nation
Meany Center for the Performing Arts, UW
April 11, 2026
Aratani Theater
February 19, 2026
Hawaii Theatre
March 2023
Aratani Theater
October 01, 2022
Defining Courage has touched audiences across the nation from Los Angeles to Washington DC. Upcoming shows include Hawaii, Utah, Oregon, Washington, Illinois, Wyoming, and New York.
Proudly presented in partnership with
A 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to creating immersive storytelling experiences that inspire courage and community connection.
Promoting understanding and appreciation of America's ethnic and cultural diversity by sharing the Japanese American experience.
Creating innovative theatrical experiences that bring communities together through powerful storytelling and performance.
Supporting educational and cultural initiatives that preserve and share the Japanese American experience.
Defining Courage is being funded, in part, by a grant from the Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Japanese American Confinement Sites Grant Program.
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For more information about Defining Courage, booking inquiries, or partnership opportunities, please reach out to us.
Defining Courage is brought to you by the non-profit organization Story Boldly. To help support additional programming that advances the conversation about important issues through film and educational opportunities, please consider donating.
