The prestigious John F. Kennedy Centre for the Performing Arts is facing an unprecedented institutional crisis as Stephen Schwartz, the legendary three-time Oscar-winning composer of Wicked, Pippin, and Godspell, has formally joined an expanding boycott of the venue. Schwartz, one of the most respected voices in American theatre, announced that he would no longer host the Washington National Opera Gala scheduled for 16 May, citing the centre’s transformation into a “divisive” and “partisan” entity.
The fallout follows a tumultuous period of restructuring under the Trump administration. In a significant break from the venue’s historically bipartisan traditions, the board of trustees was recently overhauled to include a majority of administration loyalists, who subsequently appointed the President as the organisation’s chairman. This move, coupled with the controversial decision to add the President’s name to the exterior of the building, has sparked a firestorm of legal and artistic protests. Schwartz joins a growing list of “refuseniks” who argue that the national cultural centre has abandoned its mandate as an apolitical sanctuary for free expression.
A Growing Exodus of Artistic Talent
The resistance to the centre’s new direction is not limited to Broadway. A diverse spectrum of artists, from jazz maestros to television moguls, have either resigned their advisory posts or cancelled scheduled performances. Stephen Schwartz’s withdrawal is particularly impactful given his status; the 77-year-old composer stated via his assistant that there is “no way” he would set foot in the building under its current leadership.
While the centre’s vice president of public relations, Roma Daravi, dismissed Schwartz’s exit as “false reporting” due to the lack of a formal contract, Schwartz clarified that he had been invited by director Francesca Zambello long before the board was overhauled. He expressed doubt that the artistic integrity of the centre could be maintained, stating, “I can’t imagine Francesca continuing under the current circumstances.”
Kennedy Centre: Artist Departures and Resignations
| Artist / Group | Role | Action Taken |
| Stephen Schwartz | Composer/Lyricist | Withdrew from Opera Gala (May 2026) |
| Issa Rae | Actress/Producer | Cancelled upcoming appearances |
| Shonda Rhimes | TV Producer | Resigned from Advisory Board |
| The Cookers | Jazz Ensemble | Cancelled New Year’s Eve performance |
| Doug Varone & Dancers | Dance Troupe | Cancelled April 2026 engagement |
| Chuck Redd | Jazz Drummer | Cancelled Christmas Eve show |
| Hamilton Team | Theatre Company | Cancelled planned performances |
Legal Threats and Ratings Slump
The administration’s response to these cancellations has been notably aggressive. Interim Executive Director Richard Grenell has threatened a $1 million lawsuit against jazz drummer Chuck Redd for his Christmas Eve cancellation, branding the artist’s actions as “derangement syndrome.” Grenell argued that the previous “far-left” leadership was to blame for booking “political activists” rather than neutral artists.
Despite the administration’s claims of success, the newly partisan identity of the Kennedy Centre appears to be struggling with public appeal. The 2025 Kennedy Centre Honors broadcast—the first to be hosted by a sitting President—hit an all-time ratings low. Nielsen data showed an average of just 4.1 million viewers, a 26% decline compared to the previous year. While the White House cited timing disadvantages around the Christmas holiday, the numbers suggest that the artistic boycott may be reflecting a broader disconnect with the American viewing public.