On this day in 1963, the East-West Center’s theatre was renamed the John F. Kennedy Theatre to coincide with President Kennedy’s burial at Arlington National Cemetery.

Located on the campus of the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, Kennedy Theatre was the first public building named after the late president.

“Memory,” said screenwriter Anita Loos, “is more indelible than ink.”

A tribute to memory and creative possibilities, the stunning 600-seat learning and performing space was designed by renowned architect I. M. Pei, who believed that “a lasting architecture has to have roots.” The theatre’s design echoes the intimacy of Shakespeare’s Globe, a place where audience and performer meet eye to eye. In this unique environment, students explore dance, design, direction, acting, and more.

Its interior carries an old-world charm—velvet curtains, wood-paneled walls, and acoustics that make even a single note feel intimate. A place where sound, story, and spirit find harmony.

Reflecting Hawaiʻi’s rich blend of cultures, Kennedy Theatre is internationally known for its multicultural approach to the study of Theatre and Dance. With passion that bridges East and West, its seasons have included touring productions, new works, and classic Japanese kabuki.

“No theater program in the United States—or for that matter in the world—parallels the University of Hawaii’s in breadth and depth,” said professor James Brandon.