The Amphitheater was added to the grounds of the African American Museum of Arts on Saturday, October 4, 2003, in addition to the existing museum building.
There have been several programs hosted at the theater over the years. One of the first major events being the Dr. Noble “Thin Man” Watts Annual Jazz Festival that began on May 29, 2004. This ceremony was held at the Irene D. Johnson & Reverend Maxwell Johnson Cultural Park to honor and name the amphitheater on behalf of Legendary Saxophonist and Band Leader Noble “Thin Man” Watts.