Last summer, the Vision Theatre Performing Arts Center in Leimert Park made an announcement that brought hope and excitement to the community: It was partnering with the WACO (Where Art Can Occur) Theater Center, co-founded by Tina Knowles, mother of singer Beyoncé, and the group planned to offer programming in spring 2026.
Reopening the landmark theater has been a long time coming — the city of Los Angeles began renovations in 2011. It’s expected to pump new life — and money — into Leimert Park Village, an area known as the Black cultural arts center of Los Angeles and home to dozens of small businesses.
But it’s going to take a little while longer for that vision to come to life.
Shay Wafer, the executive director of WACO Theater Center, told The LA Local that she doesn’t expect to offer a fully programmed season at the Vision Theater until 2027.
“We are probably close to a year from a full reopening; meaning a season is set, a season is advertised, and tickets are available for purchase,” Wafer said.
WACO is responsible for the “front of house,” a term used in theater circles, meaning they’ll manage the artistic and educational programming, the box office, marketing, and hiring and managing staff. The city of LA has owned the theater since 1997 and will operate and maintain the building.
Wafer said WACO is still strengthening its infrastructure by hiring more staff, learning the new layout of the theater and focusing on their mission.
“Our mission is to provide opportunities for artists of African descent,” she said. “We are committed to emerging local, national and international artists who are telling stories of the African diaspora.”
What the city says about the status of the Vision Theatre
While WACO prepares for its first season, the building is still under renovation 15 years after the first phase of construction began. The City of LA spent $11 million on renovations in 2011, according to the Department of Cultural Affairs website.
So, why has the theater renovation taken so long? Culture Affairs spokesperson Gabriel Cifarelli said in an email to The LA Local that construction was completed in multiple phases.
“The 2011 construction included the upper and lower lobbies, a classroom and office space.
The facility offered programming in its lobbies until funds were raised for further work which began in October 2015. In addition, the 2020 pandemic, along with supply-chain issues, greatly impacted the pace of construction.”
When the renovation is done, the total costs of the theater project will be just under $40 million, Cifarelli said.
The upgrades include reconfigured seating of the 729-seat theater, with new mezzanine and balcony seating, an additional lounge area under the seating and a complete stage with cross-over and wings.
Beyond the stage area, there’ll be a loft with office spaces, lower-level dressing rooms, a green room, sewing and janitorial rooms and office space for operations.
Additionally, there’ll be an Art Deco marquee, a stage door, loading dock, a neon parking lot sign and a historical restoration of the auditorium that includes the ceiling mural created by renowned movie-theater designer Anthony Heinsbergen. The City also said it bought and installed equipment, including a world-class audio visual and lighting system and a broadcast room.
Daniel Tarica, general manager of the Department of Cultural Affairs, also told The LA Local in a statement that reopening the theater is a part of its efforts to engage with the community through the arts.
“Together, DCA (Department of Cultural Affairs) and WACO will transform the theater into a vibrant civic hub in the heart of Leimert Park that nurtures local talent, fosters equity and arts education, and amplifies Los Angeles’ cultural identity, through world class performing arts programming.”
The Vision Theatre is located in District 10, represented by LA City Council member Heather Hutt. Hutt said she’s looking forward to hosting a ribbon-cutting for the theater later this year, after renovations are completed.
“This major cultural landmark will be a resource for the Leimert Park Village, a world famous hub for Black arts and culture, and the surrounding South LA area,” Hutt said.
What people in Leimert Park are saying about the Vision Theatre
Aariona Johnson owns Harun Coffee, located four doors down from the theater on Degnan Boulevard. She told The LA Local she’s been in the location for about seven years and just reopened this week after being closed for renovations.
As for the Vision Theatre, she’s considered it an eyesore in the community for years because of the ongoing construction. But she’s hopeful the renovations will be completed soon and the theater can finally reopen.
“I think overall, for the community, for the businesses, it’s going to be nice,” Johnson said. “It’s going to bring a different crowd down here, just some different energy.”