Kennedy Center fires dance programming team - The Washington Post, The New York Times

The Kennedy Center fired the all three members of its dance programming team, The Washington Post reported on 21nd August 2025.

A Kennedy Center spokesperson told The Post that three people were terminated.

The director of the centre's dance programming, Jane Raleigh, issued a statement in the following day.

The Post updated the article and quoted her saying in the statement, "While I was told my dismissal was due to a ‘loss of confidence in my leadership,’ I believe this firing to be in retaliation for my public support of the ongoing union organization drive at the Center."

Mallory Miller also confirmed the termination of her job. She was an assistant manager of dance programming and "one of the organizers leading the effort for Kennedy Center staffers to unionize," The Post said.

The New York Times published a follow-up article in the following day. It said the dismissals followed the meeting between Richard Grenell, the Kennedy Center’s president, and the three-member team about a week prior.

The New York Times said;

"Mallory Miller and Malik Burnett, the two other fired employees, said Mr. Grenell urged the dance team to come up with programming that was more “broadly appealing” and less “niche” — which he told them would help the institution attract corporate sponsorships."

"As an example of the type of programming he was thinking about, Mr. Grenell cited “So You Think You Can Dance,” the TV dance competition show on Fox, Ms. Miller and Mr. Burnett said."

The Kennedy Center, or the John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in the Washington D.C., the United States, has been the target of the Trump Administration's cost cut and its anti-"woke" campagne like many other government organisations. The traditionally bipartisan art institution has been in turmoil since Donald Trump installed himself as the chairman in February.

A many other top officials outside the dance team of the centre have either fired or resigned.