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Kennedy Center Overhaul Accelerates: Grenell Fires Dance Team, Promotes Staff as Sales Plunge

Leadership says the new direction targets broader audiences after blaming elitist programming for weak demand.

Overview

  • Richard Grenell dismissed the dance programming staff and installed former dancer Stephen Nakagawa to lead the unit, replacing veteran administrator Jane Raleigh, according to multiple reports.
  • New pro-Trump leadership announced more than a dozen internal promotions, with a spokesperson saying programming will expand to include fan-favorite, mass-market offerings.
  • Subscription revenue for the upcoming season is down by about 50 percent, Washingtonian reported, underscoring steep financial pressure on the institution.
  • Reservation data show poor advance sales for key dance engagements, including Stuttgart Ballet at roughly 4–19 percent of seats reserved and BodyTraffic around 12 percent.
  • Grenell has criticized what he calls elitist programming, floated bookings tied to So You Think You Can Dance, and pursued collaborations with the Museum of the Bible and the Christian Broadcasting Network.