The Vision Theatre Performing Arts Center in South L.A. is reopening following 15 years of extensive renovations and a $40 million investment. To celebrate the historic theater’s return, WACO Theater Center, led by founder & artistic director Tina Knowles and executive director Shay Wafer, is hosting a grand reopening celebration in Leimert Park.
“The reopening represents more than the return of a historic theater,” a release announcing the news notes. “It is a celebration of Black creativity, cultural preservation, artistic excellence, and the enduring legacy of Leimert Park, a neighborhood that continues to serve as the heartbeat of Black arts and culture in Los Angeles for generations.”
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The three-day homecoming celebration, presented by Wells Fargo, will take place Friday, Nov. 13 through Sunday, Nov. 15, featuring live performances, music, entertainment and community festivities. Key events include a family-friendly, “Proud Family”-themed block party and screening of the Disney+ holiday special “A Proud Family Wizmas”; a conversation with the cast of Netflix’s “A Different World”; and an intimate evening with CLUB 20/20 and “House Guest with Scott Evans” sponsored by Cécred and curated by Knowles. The celebration concludes on Sunday with a live concert, launching the WACO at the Vision Music Series with a powerhouse live band led by Steve Mackey’s Taco Tuesdays, The Sessions L.A. and The Crockpock.
“Leimert Park has always been a place where Black culture, creativity, and community come together. To be part of bringing this beautiful theater back to life is incredibly meaningful,” Knowles said in a statement announcing the news.
WACO Theater Center will serve as co-operator and co-manager of the Vision Theatre Performing Arts Center in partnership with the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs.
“The Vision Theatre represents so much history, but more importantly, it represents possibility. We want young people to walk through these doors and see a future for themselves in the arts,” Knowles continued. “We want artists to have a place where their stories are celebrated, and we want this community to know that this theater belongs to them. This is about honoring the legacy of those who came before us while creating something extraordinary for generations to come.”
Originally built in 1931, the Vision Theatre stands as one of South Los Angeles’ most iconic architectural and cultural landmarks. For nearly a century, the theater’s Art Deco façade has defined the Leimert Park Village skyline. In 1990, award-winning actress Marla Gibbs purchased the historic venue, renaming it the Vision Theatre, with a dream of creating a thriving home for Black arts, culture and community. An initial renovation of the property was completed in 2011, and the current project, led by the City of Los Angeles, began in 2015. The office of Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass helped launch the partnership between WACO Theater Center and the Department of Cultural Affairs, laying the foundation for the theater’s long-term activation. Now complete, the Vision Theatre will serve as a destination for live theater, music, dance, multidisciplinary performances, arts education and community-centered cultural programming.
“The renovation of the Vision Theatre unites historic preservation with state-of-the-art venue upgrades to create a world-class cultural venue that all Angelenos can be proud of,” said Daniel Tarica, general manager of the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs. (The upgraded theater now boasts a 729-seat auditorium, a newly constructed mezzanine and balcony, expanded stage and backstage facilities and cutting-edge audio, visual and broadcast technology.) “This landmark in the heart of the creative hub of Leimert Park will be a main stage that uplifts local talent, serves as a resource for the community and will be a cultural destination for all.”
Since its founding in 2016, WACO Theater Center has championed the transformative power of the arts, with a particular eye toward celebrating the rich experiences and cultural heritage of the African diaspora. Now housed at the Vision Theatre, WACO will significantly expand its reach by presenting theatrical productions, live music, dance, visual arts, multidisciplinary performances and educational programming.
“The reopening of the Vision Theatre is an investment in the future of South Los Angeles and the artists who make this community extraordinary,” said Wafer, WACO Theater Center’s executive director. “Our vision is to create a thriving cultural institution that is active year-round, where artists can develop and present new work, young people can access meaningful arts education and audiences can experience world-class programming right here in Leimert Park. This is about building a sustainable home for creativity, opportunity and community connection.”
All activities are free and open to the public with an RSVP. Ticketing, registration and additional program details will be available on WACO Theater Center’s website.
Event sponsors include Wells Fargo, Cécred and Walt Disney Entertainment, with KBLA Talk 1580 as the media partner. The celebration is presented in collaboration with the City of Los Angeles DCA, WACO Theater Center’s municipal co-management partner for the Vision Theatre Performing Arts Center, with additional support and participation from PRG, Dance Theatre of Harlem, Pan Afrikan Peoples Arkestra, Blackhouse Radio, and the Leimert Park Village Merchant Cohort.
Fox Style News Syndicate. Sourced from broadcast reporting: Read Full Source Coverage.