JACCC Aratani Theatre interior, 2023
Patricia Wyatt, president and CEO of the Japanese American Cultural & Community Center in Little Tokyo, issued the following statement on June 12 in response to questions about the future of the Aratani Theatre, which has been closed since the end of May:
“The Aratani Theatre has played a central role in our mission at JACCC for more than 40 years. We are committed to ensuring it continues to serve as a cornerstone of Japanese and Japanese American culture and community life in Little Tokyo for decades to come.
“As part of preserving this community asset, following the May 31 closing of our co-production with East West Players of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s ‘Flower Drum Song,’ we are taking the opportunity to begin urgently needed building repairs.
“Currently underway is the installation of a new chiller, a vital component of the building’s cooling system. As many of you know, the current chiller no longer works. Renting a temporary unit costs thousands of dollars each month, creating an unsustainable financial burden. This new chiller requires structural improvements to the building to accommodate a modern, larger, and more energy-efficient system.
“To complete this work, the theatre must be temporarily closed. We will provide regular updates as the project progresses and encourage you to visit our website for the latest information.
“At the same time, we are in the early stages of identifying upgrades to the interior of the Aratani Theatre to support digital technologies that engage future generations and allow us to reach global audiences with programming created in the heart of Little Tokyo. We will share more information and details in the coming months.
“While these projects are underway, JACCC continues to host and partner with the community and other organizations on events, programs, workshops, and gatherings across our campus. This includes the Toshizo Watanabe Culinary Cultural Center, George J. Doizaki Gallery, Isamu Noguchi Plaza and the Center Building, all of which remain open.
“We are grateful for the support shown for this beloved community campus and look forward to building its legacy as a vibrant home for arts, culture, and community.”
Prior to the announcement, “A Petition to Save the Aratani Theatre,” addressed to the JACCC leadership, was circulated on Change.org by “Concerned Members of the Community.” The petition read, in part:
“This space was built with the intention of serving as a cultural bridge and a home for community expression. Today, decisions are being considered that could fundamentally alter that purpose—without full public transparency or community consensus.
“We believe there is another path forward. We propose to create a Little Tokyo Theatre Committee by the community, for the community, to organize an open public meeting where all stakeholders — artists, residents, businesses, and leadership — can come together to discuss the future of this space …
“We invite all who care about Little Tokyo and its future to participate, contribute, and help organize this effort.
“The future of the Aratani Theatre should not be decided behind closed doors. It should be shaped in the open — with honesty, collaboration, and respect for the generations it serves.”