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Martha Graham Dance Company has announced that it will no longer perform at the Kennedy Center in April, Join a range of other cancellations at the historic performing arts center in the wake of Donald Trump’s controversial takeover.
America’s oldest and legendary dance company kicks off its centennial national tour on Friday, with a stop planned at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., this spring.
However, the company said in a statement released that day: “The Martha Graham Dance Company regrets that we will not be able to perform at the Kennedy Center in April. We hope to perform at the Center in the future.”
The troupe did not provide a reason for the cancellation, but it has been nearly a month since the center canceled the show. Trump-appointed board votes to rebrand agency Head to the Trump-Kennedy Center. this building signage Changes were quickly made to reflect the change, prompting outrage from members of the Kennedy family and Democratic lawmakers, with some experts even suggesting Such changes may be illegal.
independent The Martha Graham Dance Company has been contacted for comment.
After Trump returned to office in February 2025, he removed the members of the Kennedy Center board he had not appointed and added several new members, including the White House chief of staff Suzy Wells and second lady Usha Vance. The president has said he is on a mission to eliminate “woke” programming.
Since then, many prominent artists, including actor and comedian Issa Rae and musician Peter Wolff, have withdrawn from performances at the Kennedy Center in protest.
Just last week, Grammy– Nominate singer-Composer Sonia De Los Santos has withdrawn from an upcoming performance at the center. The Mexican-American artist, whose 2018 release happiness! Nominated for a Latin Grammy for Best Children’s Album, it is expected to perform two concerts for young people next month while engaging in “creative dialogue” with audiences.
She explained the reason for the cancellation on Instagramwrote: “As an artist, I cherish the freedom to create and share music, and for many years I have used this privilege to celebrate the immigrant story in this country.
“Unfortunately, I do not feel that the current atmosphere at this beloved venue is a welcoming space for myself, my band or our audience.”
at the same time, washington national opera It also announced the “decision to seek an amicable early termination of the affiliation agreement with the Kennedy Center and resume operations as a fully independent, not-for-profit entity.”
WNO said in a statement to WNO washington post Support previously offered by the venue has been withdrawn and productions are now required to be fully funded in advance.
Artistic director Francesca Zambello said she was “deeply saddened” to leave. “I am proud to join the National Monument of the Human Spirit, a place that has long been a loving home to our growing family of artists and opera lovers,” she told postal.
“As we explore new venues and new ways to perform in the coming years, WNO remains committed to its mission and artistic vision.”
The company said its board of directors voted to move all upcoming performances from the Kennedy Center’s 2,364-seat Opera House, with the intention of finding a new location in Washington, D.C. As of this writing, no lease has been signed.