"It Can Happen To You" originally started in July of 1997 as a pilot program. Karen Kaulana Loebl, along with then-University of Hawai'i graduate student Andrea Macabeo, wanted to develop and produce an educational show about Teen-Pregnancy and Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD's), both of which were growing problems among teens in Hawai'i's communities. Karen and Andrea sent out flyers to various places...they were looking for actors and actresses who would eventually research, write, produce, and act in an hour (or sometimes more) show that would tour a set number of high schools around Honolulu and, eventually, the entire state. Along the way, Karen and Andrea also recruited High School Production Assistants who would give their input and opinions about what they liked and didn't like.
Karen and Andrea held auditions in Kalihi-Palama Health Center's old Ke Ola room. Each actor was asked to fill out the first of MANY questionaires, asked a few questions, read from a prepared script, and perform a short impromptu scene regarding teen pregnancy. After auditions, the two narrowed it down to six actors/actresses; Ly Atsumi, Daryl Bonilla, Monica Cho, Rachel Komyate, Kris M. Mayeshiro, and Richard Pancoast. Upon notice of their successful audition, each actor was also informed that the Health Center would be sending them to Universal Studios Hollywood to attend the, "Youth Performing Arts Institute for HIV/AIDS Prevention," which exposed the cast to many different Youth Performing Arts Groups who were using their unique talents to further educate their respective communities on the dangers of unsafe sex, drugs, STD's/AIDS. Among the many speakers and celebrities in guest attendance were Kaiser Permanente's, "Secrets," show, Mad TV's Aries Spears, Danica McKellar and other cast members from, "The Wonder Years," and the writer of the infamous "Sponge" episode of Seinfield. The various performances and workshops sparked many ideas within the cast, and it was on the eventual (one day late) plane ride back that the cast members started discussing and writing down ideas.