The University of Hawai‘i at M~noa’s Department of Theatre and Dance presents "Jaguar Priests: Our Culture is a Myth, a hip-hop theatre myth," written and directed by M.F.A. Directing candidate Cee/Cristian E. Ellauri. "Jaguar Priests" weaves a tapestry of words, movement, and live music to re-examine the ideas of humanity and civilization. The language of "hip-hop" slam poetry and original music by Mariah Dodson contribute to the innovative nature of this work. "Jaguar Priests: Our Culture is a Myth, a hip-hop theatre myth" will be performed on December 1, 2, 3, 4 at 8 p.m. and Dec. 5 at 2 p.m. in the Kennedy Theatre Earle Ernst Lab Theatre. A post-show rap follows the performance on Friday, December 3.

Street performance in Waikiki and working with the Hip-Hop Theatre Festival in Washington D.C. have influenced Cee’s style. Another piece by Cee, "Chase: a hip-hop theatre production," had a successful run during the 2002-2003 Kennedy Theatre season and was subsequently remounted at Studio 1.

"Jaguar Priests" is set in the Fertile Crescent at the dawn of the Agricultural Revolution and in contemporary America. In the story, the characters of Adam, Eve, Cain, and Abel argue about the direction in which the world should go. Interwoven between the scenes, a group of singing, acrobatic Fools travel through time and keep the audience informed of time and place. According to Cee, "It’s a hip-hop style journey through the evolution of the mind, and the many conflicts it provokes." Additionally, Cee seeks to expose the "sacred myth of our culture." Other inspirations include the writings of Joseph Campbell, the novel Ishmael by Daniel Quinn and the 2012 apocalyptic prophesy of the Mayan calendar.

The sixteen actor-singer-dancers that form the ensemble include three popular local performers: Jazumin Davis (a.k.a. Lumenz), Joel Spier, and Jonathan Clarke Sypert (a.k.a Intrepid). A former student at UHM, Sypert acts professionally in local commercials and for the Honolulu Theatre of Youth, is a vocalist in the band "Communication" and a member of the Hawaii poetry-slam team.