K.L. Peters Auditorium Reopens with Standing Ovations and Student Spotlight

Beverly Hills, CA (January 29, 2026) – After 9 ½ years in darkness, the stage lights of Beverly Hills High School’s historic K.L. Peters Auditorium once again illuminated student voices, creativity, and community on a night that blended legacy, gratitude, and artistic excellence.

The evening began with a heartfelt tribute to Michael J. Libow, a BHHS alumnus whose generosity and commitment to Beverly Hills Unified School District continues to shape generations. Libow, known for his unwavering support of the arts and education across the District, was honored for his transformative contributions, most recently, the naming of the newly modernized Michael J. Libow Stage, inside the auditorium.

“Michael brings back such a legacy,” shared Superintendent Dr. Alex Cherniss. “His impact lives in every corner of this campus, and tonight we celebrate his enduring love for our students and our city.”

Following an outdoor reception, guests gathered for the official ribbon-cutting ceremony, led by the BHUSD Board of Education and Superintendent Cherniss, officially reopening the beloved auditorium. And with that, a space for students to thrive was reborn.

Fittingly, the first performance to grace the new stage was Dance Company 2026, presented by the BHHS Advanced Dance Theatre Group, a cohort of about 20 elite student dancers selected through a rigorous audition process. From the first movement to the final bow, the dancers brought the audience to their feet, showcasing not only their talent, but the power of performance to bring a space back to life.

But this wasn’t just a performance, it was a full-campus collaboration.

Behind the scenes, BHHS Theatre Tech students ran the entire production, managing lighting, sound design, and stage transitions with professionalism and poise. BHHS Culinary Arts students, part of the school’s capstone course, catered the event with elegant hors d’oeuvres and desserts, while a BHHS string quartet performed live music at the reception, setting the tone for an unforgettable evening.

The audience included City Councilmembers, former Board of Education leaders, former superintendent Dr. Gary Woods, retired performing arts teachers (including Herb Hall and Bill Bradbury), PTSA leadership, BHEF board members, Craig Peters (the son of K. L. Peters), BHHS alumni, and many more supporters of public education and the arts.

The auditorium, which seats nearly 1,200, has been completely upgraded with state-of-the-art theatrical systems, including lighting, speakers, sound treatment, security cameras, communications equipment, a motorized orchestra pit, and new ADA-accessible features. While its core structure, beloved façade, and original mural by Van Kaufman from 1937 were preserved, the interior now boasts dressing rooms, a green room, multiple catwalk levels, backstage facilities, and an engineering space for student set design.

As guests entered the auditorium, they passed the restored plaque honoring beloved BHHS Performing Arts teacher Joel Pressman, now reinstalled in the lobby. Carefully preserved and integrated into the newly renovated space, the plaque reflects the construction team’s commitment to honoring the theater’s legacy while bringing it forward for a new generation of students. It stands as a reminder that modernization did not mean erasing history, but strengthening it.

As students from El Rodeo Elementary School, Horace Mann Elementary School, and Beverly Vista Middle School watched in awe from the audience, it was clear that the stage now serves more than just high school performers; it inspires the next generation.

“The theatre was alive again,” said BHHS Principal Loan Srirkasa. “The energy, the applause, the nerves, the dreams, this is what it’s all about. We’re finally home.”

The reopening of K.L. Peters Auditorium is just the beginning. In the coming weeks, BHUSD will unveil another beloved campus landmark: the BHHS Grand Lawn. The renewed space will feature real grass, new trees, drought-tolerant landscaping, and a central green designed to unify the campus, bringing students together in a way that only shared spaces can.

“After nearly a decade, our students once again have a true place to perform, to gather, and to be seen,” said Board President Judy Manouchehri. “Tonight marks more than the reopening of a theater—it marks the fulfillment of a promise. A promise that every student deserves a space that honors their talent, amplifies their voice, and reflects their worth. Through the unwavering commitment of this district, that promise has been kept, creating a comprehensive home for arts education and performance within BHUSD.”

Dance Company 2026 Performances continue January 29 and 30 at 7:00 p.m.

Tickets are available at bhhs.bhusd.org/dance

It’s a great time to be in BHUSD. The lights are on, the students are shining, and the future is on stage.

View Photos

The BHUSD Board of Education and the Beverly Hills City Council gather to cut the ribbon and celebrate the grand reopening of the K.L. Peters Auditorium

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For Immediate Release 
January 29, 2026

Contact: Colby Gilardian
Public Information Officer
[email protected] 
(310) 871-8246 Mobile