Deborah Rutter

400+ Artists Sign Letter Asking NEA to Reverse 'Prejudicial Changes' to Grant Restrictions
by Sidney Paterra - Feb 18, 2025

463 artists have signed a letter to the National Endowment for the Arts asking them to roll back the new measures. Signees reportedly include Pulitzer-winning playwrights Lynn Nottage, Jackie Sibblies Drury, and Paula Vogel. Read the letter in full here.

Industry Pro Newsletter: A Shift in NEA Grants, and the Latest on the Kennedy Center Situation
by Alex Freeman - Feb 18, 2025

This week’s newsletter highlights a range of developments in the theater world, from national funding priorities to local artistic leadership changes and discussions surrounding accessibility.  We'll explore the NEA's focus on celebrating America's history through its 2026 grants, celebrate the artistry of makeup and hair designers at the MUAHS Awards, and examine leadership transitions at the Kennedy Center.  Additionally, we'll spotlight new artistic directors at regional theaters and share Sir Tim Rice's advocacy for increased surtitles in productions, reflecting a broader conversation about making theater more inclusive and engaging for all.

Dancers to Protest Trump Takeover Outside the Kennedy Center
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 17, 2025

BroadwayWorld previously reported that President Trump was elected as the chairman of the board of trustees of the Kennedy Center. Dancers are now protesting Trump's involvement and the  changes at the Kennedy Center. Learn more.

Deborah Rutter Speaks Out Following Kennedy Center Firing
by Sidney Paterra - Feb 16, 2025

Kennedy Center President Deborah Rutter was fired as a part of Trump's overhaul of the national cultural institution. Soon after, several high-profile figures resigned from their roles within the Kennedy Center, including Board Treasurer Shonda Rhimes, National Symphony Orchestra Artistic Advisor Ben Folds, and Artistic Advisor-at-Large Renée Fleming.

Kennedy Center Removes LGBTQ+ Pride Concert Following Trump Takeover
by Joshua Wright - Feb 14, 2025

Amidst administrative shifts, the Kennedy Center has deleted the National Symphony Orchestra's WorldPride 2025 concert from its listings, raising concerns about the impact of the Trump administration on LGBTQ+ cultural events.

Shonda Rhimes, Renée Fleming, and Ben Folds Resign From Kennedy Center Amid Trump Overhaul
by Sidney Paterra - Feb 13, 2025

As BroadwayWorld reported earlier today, President Donald J. Trump has been elected chairman of the board of trustees of the Kennedy Center as part of his plan to overhaul the national cultural institution.

Trump Assumes Chairmanship of Kennedy Center, Rutter Departs as President
by Sidney Paterra - Feb 12, 2025

President Trump has been elected as the chairman of the board of trustees of the Kennedy Center. This change came into effect on Wednesday afternoon, following a vote that marked a significant shift in the governance of one of the nation's premier cultural institutions.

Trump Dismisses Members of Kennedy Center Board and Reveals Plan to Make Himself Chairman
by Sidney Paterra - Feb 7, 2025

The President just announced plans to dismiss multiple members of the Kennedy Center board. According to the Atlantic, they include Democrats Mike Donilon, Karine Jean-Pierre, and Chris Korge. He also writes that he will appoint himself chairman of the board. 

Review: NATIONAL BALLET OF CHINA'S CHINESE NEW YEAR at Kennedy Center
by Emily Berger - Feb 1, 2025

Thus it was with great fanfare and symbolism that the National Ballet of China’s return to the Kennedy Center took place Wednesday, with performances of Chinese New Year, a reimagining of The Nutcracker story. 

Deborah F. Rutter to Step Down as Kennedy Center President at Year’s End
by Joshua Wright - Jan 27, 2025

Deborah F. Rutter will leave her role as president of the Kennedy Center at the end of the year after a decade of leadership marked by expansion, innovation, and pandemic recovery.

Update: National Symphony Orchestra Musicians Strike Over Contract Dispute with Kennedy Center Resolved
by Joshua Wright - Sep 27, 2024

After a brief strike period, the Kennedy Center and the National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) leadership have announced they have reached a new 18-month labor agreement with the musicians of the National Symphony Orchestra, AFM Local 616-710.

Photos: Patricia Clarkson, Ronan Farrow, Zac Posen And More Turn Out To Celebrate the Carnegie Hall 2023-24 Season
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 13, 2023

Patricia Clarkson, Ronan Farrow, Zac Posen, Liev Schreiber, and Elizabeth Segerstrom joined Carnegie Hall to celebrate the 2023–2024 season. See photos from the evening. 

Photos: Adam Sandler Honored at 24th Annual Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize for American Humor
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 20, 2023

See photos from the 24th annual Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize for American Humor honoring Adam Sandler.

Music Institute Raises More Than $765,000 At Annual Gala Benefit June 2
by A.A. Cristi - Jun 29, 2022

Celebrating more than 90 years of advancing innovation, access, and excellence in music education, the Music Institute of Chicago welcomed 200 guests to its Annual Gala Benefit on Thursday, June 2 at the Four Seasons Hotel Chicago.

BWW Review: ABT FORWARD at Kennedy Center
by Roger Catlin - Mar 31, 2022

The Kennedy Center's 50th anniversary (whose celebrations have largely been pushed back a year due to the pandemic) coincides with the golden anniversary of the annual residency there of New York's American Ballet Theatre, whose first performance there came the day after the venerable Washington Performing Arts center opened in 1971.

BWW Review: THE CARTOGRAPHY PROJECT at The Kennedy Center
by Roger Catlin - Mar 16, 2022

It was a long road to create 'The Cartography Project' - some 20 months, says Kennedy Center president Deborah Rutter - dating back to the national and international uprisings following the murder of George Floyd in May 2020. But, she said, in exploring the role that art and artists can play in social change, 'process is as important as performance.'

Music Institute of Chicago Announces Gala Benefit
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 16, 2022

Celebrating more than 90 years of advancing innovation, access, and excellence in music education, the Music Institute of Chicago will host its annual Gala Benefit on Thursday, June 2 at 6 p.m. at the Four Seasons Hotel Chicago, 120 E. Delaware Place.

Cody Renard Richard, Mj Rodriguez, Camille A. Brown & More Named to Kennedy Center Next 50
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 20, 2022

An elementary–aged rapper, an award–winning composer, and a dancer defying the stigmas of cerebral palsy, come together in the Kennedy Center Next 50, a new cultural leadership initiative.

Audra McDonald, Joshua Henry, Kelli O'Hara & More to Take Part in Kennedy Center's 50th Anniversary Celebration Concert
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Aug 25, 2021

The Kennedy Center’s 50th Anniversary Celebration Concert, to be held on September 14 in the Concert Hall, will now be broadcast across the nation on October 1 at 9 p.m. ET as THE KENNEDY CENTER at 50 on PBS.

Sphinx Organization Digitally Presents Two of Its Flagship Programs
by Sarah Jae Leiber - Dec 15, 2020

The Sphinx Organization, dedicated to transforming lives through the power of diversity in the arts, is presenting its fifth annual and first ever digital SphinxConnect convening, SphinxConnect 2021: UNITY!, from January 28 to 30, 2021.