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Leeward Theatre
Leeward Theatre has been a primary performance venue for many of Oahu’s top-performing arts schools and organizations for decades. With our professional staff, state-of-the-art sound and lighting equipment, and recently-renovated auditorium, we are the venue of choice for dance, music, theatre, and professional events in Central and West O‘ahu.
About Leeward Theatre
Learn about our history and mission, our dedicated staff, and our lobby mural by world-renowned artist, Jean Charlot.
Venue and Facility Rentals
Leeward Theatre is fully equipped for for dance, music, theatre, and professional events in Central and West O‘ahu. Find rental information here.
Past Performances
Take a look back at our history of performances, including Leeward's own and those from around the world. THIS SECTION COMING SOON.
Contact the Theatre
Get information and assistance for all things related to the Leeward Theatre. Let us know how we can help you!
About Leeward Theatre
History and Mission
Leeward Theatre at Leeward Community College was founded in 1974 as a gathering place for arts and culture in Central Oahu. The mission of Leeward Theatre is to facilitate cultural dialogue by presenting and developing the work of local, national, and international artists and sponsoring educational and community performances. We are advocates for the cultural sustainability of our community, with a special commitment to local artists and Native Hawaiian culture. Leeward Theatre is proud to be an arts presenter and arts education center for Leeward and Central O‘ahu communities.
Theatre Lobby Mural
Theatre Staff
Venue and Facility Rentals
Theatre Features
- 628-seat auditorium, fully accessible for wheelchair access with companion seating
- A 50′ by 20′ proscenium with a stage depth of 45 feet
- Auxiliary spaces including scene shop, 2 small and 2 large dressing rooms, 80-seat lab theatre, and two dance studios
- A large orchestra pit that may be raised for additional performance space or lowered for additional seating
ACCESSIBILITY
The accessible entrance to the theatre is via the Gate 1 parking lot. Take the first left into campus after turning right onto Ala ‘Ike. Park and proceed down the walkway past the ED building.
The theatre is equipped with several wheelchair-accessible seating areas and companion seats.
Please call us at (808) 455-0380 if you need assistance.
If you need an auxiliary aid/service or other accommodation due to a disability, contact the theatre as soon as possible. Requests made early have a greater likelihood of being fulfilled. Upon request, this notice is available in alternate/accessible formats.
Seating Map
Introducing Our New Rental System; Prospero (Pilot)
This season, we are thrilled to share that we are piloting a brand-new rental management system in partnership with Prospero. This new system will allow us to:
- Create and update rental estimates more efficiently
- Share updated estimates as details evolve
- Provide clearer visibility of your rental days on our calendar
- Build a growing inventory of props, set pieces, and equipment that renters may browse and request to rent or borrow
- Allow you to see our availability in real time.
Because this is a pilot, we appreciate your patience as we continue improving the system throughout the season. To support you through the process, we’ve created a step-by-step video walkthrough, which we strongly recommend watching before submitting your application: Rental Application Video Guide.
Priority Scheduling Guidelines
To ensure a fair and efficient scheduling process, applications are reviewed using the following priority structure:
- Leeward Community College–related events
- Staffing availability and operational capacity
- UH-affiliated groups
- Non-UH-affiliated groups
- Multi-day rentals will be prioritized over single-day events, as they allow for more effective use of staffing and facility resources
- Once priority group needs are met, remaining space is allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, with submission timestamp serving as the tiebreaker for equal requests.
Scheduling Notes
Please note that the Leeward Theatre will be closed from mid-September to mid-November and again from January through April. Availability will be extremely limited this year (only) due to these closures.
If you are requesting dates outside of these closure periods, we strongly encourage you to include alternate date options to help us best accommodate your needs.
If the calendar says “booked” on a date you are selecting, those dates are not available for rental.
Rental Application & Approval Process
While we aim to accommodate as many requests as possible, submission of an application does not guarantee approval. Below is an overview of our process:
Application Review & Availability Check
After submission, your application will be reviewed for availability and priority alignment. You will be notified via email if your request is approved or denied. Approval allows the request to move forward to estimate creation but does not yet secure dates.
Estimate Creation & Review
If approved, a rental estimate will be prepared for your review. Estimates are not final bills and may change based on production needs. You will have 7 days to review and accept the estimate by emailing ltheatre@hawaii.edu. Any changes must be discussed prior to acceptance. If no response is received within 7 days, the application will be cancelled.
Reservation Confirmation
To confirm your dates, you must submit:
- A 50% deposit of the estimated rental cost
- A signed UH Facilities Use Agreement (FUA)
- A Valid Certificate of Insurance (COI) meeting the universities requirements.
Both items must be received within 10 business days of estimate acceptance. Dates are not confirmed until both are received.
Advertising & Ticket Sales
Please do not advertise or sell tickets until your signed FUA/COI and deposit have been submitted and confirmed.
Indemnity Clause
The University of Hawai‘i is not responsible for any losses or expenses incurred during the rental process, including changes, delays, or cancellations. Renters assume all associated risks and costs.
To begin, please submit your request through our Prospero Rental Application. Applications will be processed based on the priorities outlined in the scheduling section, we encourage early submission to improve your chances of securing preferred dates.
If you have questions or need assistance, feel free to reach out at ltheatre@hawaii.edu or 808-455-0380.
Please submit your request through our Prospero Rental Application.
Who can rent? Any Leeward Community College affiliated departments and organizations may request the use of the theatre on a space-available basis. Events that require additional staffing or take place on nights or weekends may incur personnel charges to your department.
Campus events must:
- Be associated with a department
- Benefit Leeward students
- Have a valid reason for taking place in the Theatre, such as
- Your audience will not fit in other campus facilities (over 200)
- Your event is a performing arts presentation
Your application must be signed by your department chairperson for approval. For questions, email ltheatre@hawaii.edu.
Contact Us
96-045 Ala ‘Ike
Room TH-207
Pearl City, HI 96782
View in Google Map
Get Directions
Office: (808) 455-0380
Box Office: (808) 455-0385
ltheatre@hawaii.edu
Campus Security:
(808) 455-0611 (on-campus): 611
Office: LA 238
*If you are experiencing an emergency, call 911.
For situations involving (non-emergency) concerning behaviors, contact our Behavioral Intervention Team (BIT) team.
View complete mural and more details on our Flickr album.
Our lobby mural was commissioned by the State Foundation of Culture and the Arts, Arts in Public Places program. The work is 23 feet high and 104 feet long and it took Jean Charlot and his team three months to complete (from February 14 to May 17, 1974).
Jean Charlot was a distinguished artist and teacher, known primarily for his sculptures, murals, and frescos. He was born in Paris in 1898 and lived in Hawai’i from 1949 until his death in 1979. Leeward Community College is very fortunate to have one of his greatest works done in fresco. It is one of the largest works he ever created and it reveals his love for Hawai’i and the Hawaiian people.
Fresco is the Italian word for fresh. In art, fresco painting is a method of painting on plaster while it is still wet, or “fresh.” The colors amalgamate with the plaster during the drying process and the painting literally becomes part of the wall. Charlot was a member of a quartet of muralists who set the modern standard for this art form in the 1920s. This group of artists also included Diego Rivera, David Alfaro Siqueiros, and José Clemente Orozco.
Elisa Olson
Theatre Manager
Elisa J Olson, a native of Santa Cruz, California, has made her mark in the world of theater with her talents and diverse range of skills. From the vibrant streets of New York City to the grand halls of Washington DC, Elisa has worked in nearly every aspect of theater production, leaving an indelible impression wherever she goes.
With a Bachelor of Music in Education from the University of North Dakota, Elisa’s extensive background in theater and arts management is truly impressive. Throughout her career, she has held various roles including executive director, managing director, company management, production manager, director, union stage manager, theatrical consultant, lighting designer, music teacher, and performer. Her work has taken her to esteemed companies such as The John F. Kennedy Center, Theatreworks, Cabrillo Stage, Ashland Productions, Peninsula Youth Theatre, and Monday Morning Productions in NYC, among others. She has even had the privilege of stage-managing a performance at the White House and has traveled extensively with four national tours, visiting 49 out of 50 states.
Beyond her managerial expertise, Elisa is also an accomplished singer, performer, and educator. She runs her own voice studio, High Frequency Vocal Studio, where she hones the talents of aspiring singers. As a guest artist, she has had the honor of performing with the Grand Forks Symphony and the Empire Arts Center, captivating audiences with her mesmerizing portrayal of “Woman 1” in “Songs for a New World” and her featured soloist performance in “The Beck Song Project.” Her impressive resume also includes standout roles such as Maria in “West Side Story,” Frenchy in “Grease,” Brenda in “The Pajama Game,” and Carrie Pipperidge in “Carousel,” to name just a few.
Elisa is excited to bring her extensive experience, energy, and passion to the Leeward Theatre, where she hopes to contribute her unique talents and enrich the Leeward Campus.
Chelsea Yamashiro
Assistant Theater Manager
A Leeward Community College Alumna, Chelsea Yamashiro has been involved with theatre in Hawai‘i for nearly 17 years. Her résumé in technical theatre at The Leeward Theatre includes shows like The Odyssey, Argonautika, Oedipus Rex, Alice in Wonderland, and School for Scandal. These experiences led to her involvement as director in several one-act play festivals. She has now directed and produced several annual musical variety shows as fundraisers for The Leeward Theatre’s fall productions. She has also had the pleasure of working with several dance and theatre companies on the island, including In Yo Face Improv, Monkey Waterfall, The Arts at Marks Garage, and Kumu Kahua Theatre.
Chelsea was nominated for a Po‘okela Award in lighting design for Play Builders of Hawai‘i’s Production of Yes I Am: Leeward Edition in 2013. She was on the directing team for several Po‘okela award winning productions, including In The Heights, The Secret in the Wings, and The Folks You Meet at Longs. She also received three Poʻokela awards for Distinguished Service to The Leeward Theatre.
Inspired by her students, Chelsea branched out of her technical theatre role and tried her hand at acting, performing in A Dark and Stormy Knight as Great Aunt Cornswallow, Merry Men as Nursie, Richard III as Ensemble, and Tartuffe as Ensemble with The Leeward Theatre. In 2017 she was recognized as a regional finalist for the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society Fellowship at The Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival in Mesa, Arizona. Most recently, she has shared her expertise at Mililani High School and Pad De Deux Hawaii.
Chelsea is so grateful to be serving the campus and community that helped shape her as a person.
Vincent Liem
Theatre Technician
Born and raised on Oahu, Vince kicked around the west coast of the mainland for a few years after graduating from a school in Manoa. He returned to the islands to take a degree in Theatre from UH Manoa. Between then and now, he has worked concerts, musicals, and special events. When not working he enjoys the search for concordance in a multi track media environment
DIRECTIONS
Leeward CC, 96-045 Ala Ike, Pearl City, HI 96782
From Honolulu: Take the H-1 Freeway, ‘Ewa bound, to the Pearl City exit (exit #10). The middle lane of the exit leads you directly to Moanalua Road. Proceed west on Moanalua Road. Turn left onto Waimano Home Road and continue until you reach Kamehameha Hwy. Turn right onto Kamehameha Hwy., following the Leeward CC directional signs and staying in the far left lane. Continue driving straight past the intersection at Home Depot. Staying in the far left lane, you’ll drive under an overpass and make the first left turn after the overpass onto Waiawa Road. Continue until Waiawa Road ends and make a right turn at the stop sign onto Ala ‘Ike.
From All Points ‘Ewa: Follow signs to PEARL CITY until reaching Farrington Highway. Follow the Leeward CC directional signs, making a right turn onto Waiawa Road, the direct access road to campus. Continue until Waiawa Road ends and make a right turn at the stop sign onto Ala ‘Ike.
We are located on the Diamond Head side of campus. Click here for a campus map.