In a unique protest against President Trump's executive orders, dancers performed The Nelken Line at the Kennedy Center. The event highlighted concerns regarding new leadership appointed solely by Trump, changing the traditionally bipartisan board structure. Organizer Kelly King emphasized the need for diverse dance programming, noting a shift away from predominantly classical and Eurocentric offerings in recent years. As the dancers aim to maintain this diversity, the Kennedy Center reassured that its programming remains unchanged despite the leadership shift, sparking discussions about the future of artistic expression under political influence.
It felt symbolic in that we're moving in unison. There's something compelling to see a straight line of movers dancing this way in a march.
Historically, the Kennedy Center's dance offerings have focused on classical ballet and very white programming. In recent years, I've seen a shift.
The dance protest aimed to express concerns about the board's changes under the Trump administration and the potential impact on artistic diversity.
A spokesperson for the Kennedy Center insisted there have been no changes to the dance programming and none are planned.
Collection
[
|
...
]