Industry Pro Newsletter: Kennedy Center Cuts Staff; Chicago Theatres Fight for Tax Credit
Inside the debate over the Times Square casino project and a look at a new national resource for arts accessibility.
By: Alex Freeman Aug. 25, 2025
This week, theaters are dealing with critical financial and leadership decisions across the board. We're covering the ongoing fight for a state tax credit in Chicago, staff cuts at the Kennedy Center, and leadership changes at both Trinity Rep and Opera Australia. In New York, the debate over the proposed Times Square casino continues. Alongside these challenges, we're also seeing positive steps for the industry's future, including the launch of a new national arts accessibility hub and the date being set for the 2026 Jimmy Awards.
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Industry Trends
The Jimmy Awards Announce Date for 2026 Ceremony
The Broadway League Foundation has announced the date for the 17th annual National High School Musical Theatre Awards, also known as the Jimmy Awards. The ceremony is scheduled to take place on Monday, June 22, 2026, at the Minskoff Theatre in New York City. This annual event brings together high school students from across the country to compete for the top honors in musical theatre performance. Further details, including the host and performers for the 2026 ceremony, will be announced at a later date.
American Theatre: Open Door Arts Launches National Arts Accessibility Hub
The Boston-based nonprofit Open Door Arts has officially launched the National Arts Accessibility Hub. This new, free online platform is designed to be a comprehensive resource for disability inclusion within the arts and culture sector. The hub features a national directory of accessible arts experiences, an accessible events calendar, and various other resources for organizations. Development of the platform was supported by the National Endowment for the Arts to help make the arts more accessible for all.
Broadway/New York
Mamdani Signals He Won’t Block Times Square Casino
Democratic mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani stated he will not stop the Times Square casino project, despite being personally skeptical. The project is opposed by the NO TIMES SQUARE CASINO coalition, which includes The Broadway League and other local businesses. In contrast, developer Caesars Palace has garnered support by promising thousands of union jobs and significant community benefits. New York State is expected to award three downstate casino licenses before the end of 2025, pending approval from a local community advisory committee.
The History of the Mark Hellinger Theatre and the Attempts to Bring It Back
The Mark Hellinger Theatre, located on 51st Street, has a rich history as a former premier Broadway house. It hosted iconic productions such as My Fair Lady and Jesus Christ Superstar before being sold to the Times Square Church in 1989. Though the interior is landmarked, the venue has not been used for theatrical purposes for over three decades. The article recounts the theatre's past glory and the various unsuccessful efforts within the community to return it to Broadway use.
Regional
Curt Columbus To Conclude Tenure At Trinity Rep In Fall 2026
Curt Columbus will conclude his tenure as the artistic director of Rhode Island’s Trinity Repertory Company in the fall of 2026. His departure will coincide with the start of the 2026-27 theatrical season, marking the end of a 22-year career with the company. Columbus holds the title of the Arthur P. Solomon and Sally E. Lapides Artistic Director. The theater's board of trustees has expressed its gratitude and will conduct a national search for the next artistic leader.
The League of Chicago Theatres and Arts Alliance Illinois are advocating for the continuation of the Illinois Non-Profit Theatre Production Tax Credit. This state tax credit was created to incentivize commercial producers to originate long-running productions with local non-profit theaters. Initially established for a five-year period, the credit is designed to boost local economies and support the theater industry. The organizations are now working to secure the tax credit's permanency to ensure ongoing support for the state's theatrical landscape.
Kennedy Center Cuts Dance Programming Team
The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., has eliminated its entire dance programming department as part of an institutional restructuring. Staff members within the specialized department have been laid off as a result of the decision. Curatorial responsibilities for future dance presentations will now be handled by the center's artistic director. Despite the cuts, a spokesperson for the Kennedy Center confirmed the organization's continued commitment to presenting a full season of dance programming.
Milwaukee Repertory Theater Reveals Update on Damages from Flood at Wauwatosa Production Facility
Milwaukee Repertory Theater has released an update regarding flood damage at its production facility in Wauwatosa. The damage, which occurred in early August, was primarily concentrated in the theater's costume shop. While costumes, fabrics, and specialized equipment were lost, the scene shop, props, and electrics departments sustained minimal impact. The company has confirmed that despite the setback, its upcoming 2025-26 season will proceed as planned while recovery efforts continue.
International
The Stage: How to navigate the growing need to co-produce in mid-scale theatre
In an opinion column, Hull Truck Theatre artistic director Mark Babych discusses the rise of co-producing for mid-scale venues. He states that increasing financial pressures and stagnant funding have made solo-produced, large-cast shows challenging to mount. Co-productions allow theaters to pool resources, mitigate financial risks, extend the life of a show, and reach new audiences. Babych advises that successful partnerships must be built on shared artistic values and clear communication, not just economic need.
Australian Financial Review: Opera Australia chair Rod Sims departs amid stinging rebuke from ex-CEO
Rod Sims will step down as the chair of Opera Australia’s board in November after a two-year tenure. The announcement of his departure follows recent public criticism from the company’s former CEO, Fiona Allan. Allan, who resigned after less than a year, described her relationship with the board as dysfunctional and her position as untenable. Sims stated his departure is not connected to the criticism and that his two-year term was planned from the beginning.
Missed our last few newsletters?
This week's industry news paints a complex picture of resilience, challenge, and change across the theatrical landscape. While new data reveals a promising, though uneven, post-pandemic recovery in both New York City foot traffic and the Canadian arts economy, financial realities remain stark, highlighted by the unfortunate closure of Berkeley's Aurora Theatre. Yet, signs of forward momentum are clear, with new leadership at the SDC Foundation, significant NAMT grants fostering new work, and Ohio creating new tax incentives for touring productions.
In this week's newsletter, we're seeing the many ways the theatre industry is securing its future. From new partnerships like Caesars Palace and Wendell Pierce's initiative to support historic theaters of color, to crucial last-minute funding for a Charlotte arts group, the community is working to sustain its institutions. We also look at new leadership with the Seattle Children's Theatre naming its first woman of color as Artistic Director, and discuss the importance of new British musicals with director Alex Jackson. Plus, we'll cover the latest in Broadway legal disputes and award season triumphs, ensuring you're up-to-date on all the developments across the globe.
August 4, 2025 - Chicago Looks to Replace Pulled NEA Funds, National Theatre Cuts Staff
From a new study showing Gen Z’s growing impact on Broadway ticket sales to a casting controversy that has sparked conversations around representation, audiences and creators alike are redefining engagement. Meanwhile, institutions across the U.S. and U.K. confront critical operational issues—from artist housing and staffing changes to emergency funding and infrastructure upgrades. Alongside moments of investment and renewal, the community also mourns the tragic loss of a production manager at Jacob’s Pillow.
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