The Wiltern
Born in 1931 to Stiles O. Clements
You were created to impress
Glazed in the beautiful hues of green and blue
Extending far into the sky
The untold story of a silent hero
Watching over all of us
The forgotten protagonist
Subject to the wear and tear of time
Your once colorful ceilings and walls
Cracked, peeling, and forgotten
The people once forgot your beauty
Your own owners pushing for your demolition
Until 85, when you were fixed for four years by Ratkovich
To emerge as a newly changed venue
Now you continue to live on
The highlight of every show and song
Your purpose has changed
From a mere vaudeville and movie theater
To a space where people share their first concerts
The intimate moments the artist spends staring into the eyes of their fans
The blinking lights in the audience signaling their love
Stargazing on a dark summer night
Looking up at the letters of your glowing sign
The anticipation and excitement in the air
Rising high above your other friends in daylight
a beautiful seafoam glaze, extending far into the heavens
Night tells a different story
You light up with the various hues of red and white
The people have changed around you
You now hear the constant chatter
of the predominantly Hispanic and Korean population
Yet, you still remain your beautiful self as one of the largest theaters in LA
-Grace Kim '19
10