Donald J. Trump

Industry Pro Newsletter: More Staff Shake Ups at the Kennedy Center, New York’s Awards Season Takes Shape
by Alex Freeman - Feb 2, 2026

We open this week with Colleen Dilenschneider’s look at the rise of localism and what it means for cultural organizations navigating tighter schedules and higher barriers to participation. On the awards front, key dates are set for the Tonys, Drama Desk, and Outer Critics Circle, alongside a call for nominations for BroadwayWorld’s Stage Recording Awards. Elsewhere, we cover shifts in Broadway opening-night traditions, major benefit events, regional programming pauses, leadership changes, and a significant format change for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child in the West End.

President Trump Announces Two-Year Closure of Kennedy Center
by Joshua Wright - Feb 2, 2026

President Donald J. Trump announced plans to temporarily close the Kennedy Center starting July 4, 2026, for an approximately two-year reconstruction, pending board approval.

Photos: Inside the 2025 Kennedy Center Honors with Laura Osnes, Kelsey Grammer, & More
by Josh Sharpe - Dec 18, 2025

New photos have been released from the 2025 Kennedy Center Honors ceremony, featuring Laura Osnes, Kelsey Grammer, David Phelps, Carrie Manolakos, and more as well as honoree Michael Crawford. Check them out now.

Kennedy Center Board Votes to Rename Venue To 'Trump-Kennedy Center'
by Joshua Wright - Dec 18, 2025

The board overseeing Washington’s John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts voted on Thursday to rename the venue the Trump-Kennedy Center, according to the White House.

Feature: Talent, Determination, Influence and Legacy: The Kennedy Center Honors
by David Friscic - Dec 12, 2025

Craftsmanship, creativity, guts, determination and the talent that influences new generations and that creates a lasting legacy –all represented the qualities of the honorees that have been awarded the 48th Annual Kennedy Center Honors (which was taped on December 7, 2025, and will be broadcast on Paramount+ and CBS on December 23, 2025).

Video: Randy Rainbow Releases New Christmas Special
by Michael Major - Dec 9, 2025

Randy Rainbow has released a new Christmas special, titled 'It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like F This.' The new video parodies “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas” by Meredith Willson and “White Christmas” (intro) by Irving Berlin.

Photos: Laura Osnes, Michael Crawford & More at the 2025 Kennedy Center Honors
by Josh Sharpe - Dec 8, 2025

On Sunday, December 7, the 2025 Kennedy Center Honors took place in Washington, D.C., honoring Tony Award-winning performer Michael Crawford, actor/writer Sylvester Stallone, country music star George Strait, disco and gospel artist Gloria Gaynor, and the rock band KISS. Check out photos from the ceremony here.

East Lynne Theater Company To Present One-Night-Only Staged Reading Of JERSEY LAWMAN
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 30, 2025

East Lynne Theater Company will present an encore, one-night-only performance of Jersey Lawman: A Life on the Right Side of Crime at 7 p.m. on Saturday, November 15, at the Clemans Theater for the Arts.

Trump Floats Renaming of Kennedy Center During Oval Office Remarks
by Sidney Paterra - Aug 22, 2025

In his latest round of Oval Office comments, President Donald Trump suggested that the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts might soon be renamed after him, telling reporters that “maybe in a week or so” the change could happen.

EDINBURGH 2025: Review: KC SHORNIMA: DETACHMENT STYLE, Pleasance
by Mark Carnochan - Aug 13, 2025

After years of writing for Michael Che and Colin Jost on Saturday Night Live, KC Shornima proves that some of her greatest material comes from writing for herself.

House Republican Bill Proposes Renaming Kennedy Center After President Trump
by Joshua Wright - Jul 28, 2025

A House Republican has introduced a bill to rename the Kennedy Center after President Donald Trump, citing his influence on arts and culture. The proposed legislation comes amid ongoing Republican efforts to rebrand parts of the Washington institution.

Review: FIGHT FOR AMERICA!, Stone Nest
by Franco Milazzo - Jun 19, 2025

On 6 January 2021, while the US Congress gathered in Washington DC to confirm Joe Biden as the 46th President of the United States of America, a mob waited outside. Demanding that their leader Donald J Trump be returned to power, they stormed the Capitol building to confront the lawmakers.

Industry Pro Newsletter: Nominees Announced for the Jimmy Awards, Trump Met with Boos, Cheers, and Drag Queens at the Kennedy Center
by Alex Freeman - Jun 16, 2025

This week, we see the industry grappling with significant shifts, from federal arts funding reallocations and the landmark resolution of a major industry strike, to the vibrant celebration of emerging talent at the Jimmy Awards and the vital community outreach of The Public Theater's Mobile Unit. Meanwhile, regional and international news highlights both leadership changes and the global impact of successful productions, all against a backdrop of evolving social and political landscapes that continue to shape the performing arts.

Video: Trump Met with Boos, Cheers and Drag Queens at LES MISÉRABLES Kennedy Center Opening
by Sidney Paterra - Jun 12, 2025

Donald J. Trump made his first formal appearance at the Kennedy Center since returning to office, attending the official opening of Les Misérables on Wednesday evening. See video from the show's opening night below.

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.

Wake Up With BroadwayWorld February 13, 2025
by - Feb 13, 2025

Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is February 13, 2025 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.

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.

Jon Stewart to Host Special Live Episodes of THE DAILY SHOW Following the Presidential Debates
by Josh Sharpe - Jun 11, 2024

On the heels of The Daily Show’s runaway success, the EMMY® award-winning franchise announced that Jon Stewart will host special live episodes of The Daily Show following the presidential debates between President Joe Biden and former President Donald J. Trump scheduled for Thursday, June 27th, and Tuesday, September 10th.

East Lynne Theater Co. To Stage Memoir Of Local, Former U.S. Marshal Jim Plousis
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 5, 2024

East Lynne Theater Company will produce “Jersey Lawman: A Life on the Right Side of Crime,” a staged reading based on the memoir by Jim Plousis and George Ingram 8 p.m., April 20.

Video: Watch Hillary Clinton on Stage in GUTENBERG! THE MUSICAL
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 26, 2024

Check out footage of Hillary Clinton joining Gutenberg! The Musical on Broadway.