The Kennedy Center terminated three members of its dance programming team, and the individuals were not publicly identified. Jane Raleigh remains listed as Director of Dance Programming on the Center's website, and NPR has sought comment. The firings do not appear to interrupt scheduled dance offerings, and contracted curator Kaimana Chee said public free dance classes will proceed. Several curators have ended contracts since President Trump assumed control and named himself Chairman. Trump announced controversial Kennedy Center Honors picks and secured a $257 million funding increase via the "Big Beautiful Bill." A simultaneous Smithsonian audit followed Trump’s characterization of museums as 'the last remaining segment of "WOKE."'
The Kennedy Center has fired its dance programming team. "Three individuals were terminated," read a statement from Kennedy Center spokesperson Roma Daravi. "We will have an exciting announcement about the new direction for Dance programming soon." Programming staff help curate and manage the performances planned for the season. The Kennedy Center did not identify the three people who were fired, but Jane Raleigh is listed as Director of Dance Programming on the Kennedy Center's website. NPR has reached out to Raleigh for comment.
It doesn't appear that the firings will interrupt the Kennedy Center's dance offerings for the immediate future. Kaimana Chee was contracted to be a curator at the Kennedy Center and lead free dance classes for the public, including three on Saturday. Chee said in an interview that those classes will proceed as scheduled. But he added that since President Trump took over the Center earlier this year, many of his fellow curators have opted to leave their contracts.
Just last week, Trump surprised Kennedy Center staff when he announced his picks for this year's Kennedy Center Honors, including actor Sylvester Stallone, disco star Gloria Gaynor, and the rock band Kiss. The change in leadership at the Kennedy Center also came with a bump in funds. The President's "Big Beautiful Bill" came with a $257 million influx for the Center, six times what it usually gets from Congress annually.
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