The John F. Kennedy Theatre is the flagship performing arts venue of the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa and the artistic home of the Department of Theatre & Dance. Serving as both a professional teaching theatre and a cultural gathering place, Kennedy Theatre connects students, faculty, guest artists, and audiences through the shared experience of live performance.

Throughout the academic year, the Mainstage hosts a diverse season of theatre, dance, Theatre for Young Audiences, Hawaiian Theatre, Asian Theatre, and special events that celebrate the rich cultural traditions of Hawaiʻi, the Asia-Pacific region, and beyond. As the department's principal performance venue, it provides students with hands-on learning opportunities while welcoming thousands of audience members each year to experience bold storytelling, artistic innovation, and meaningful community engagement.

More than a theatre, Kennedy Theatre is a place where education, culture, and creativity come together. It serves as a living laboratory for emerging artists, a platform for professional collaboration, and a gathering place where the University and the community meet through the transformative power of the performing arts.

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