Ticket sales for the Kennedy Center’s annual production of “The Nutcracker” have seen a significant decline since Donald Trump assumed the role of chairman earlier this year. According to internal sales data reviewed by CNN, ticket sales for this year’s performances totaled approximately 10,000 seats across seven shows, marking a 33% decrease from the 15,000 tickets sold in previous years from 2001 to 2024.
A source familiar with the Kennedy Center’s operations disclosed to CNN that even if the production were to sell out, the revenue from ticket sales would not cover the associated costs. “Selling every ticket to ‘The Nutcracker’ is absolutely not paying your bills,” the source, who requested anonymity, stated. “We have 19 unions here. The production costs are huge.”
Financial Challenges and Cancellations
The Kennedy Center is grappling with financial difficulties that have resulted in the cancellation of several performances. A new policy, instituted under Trump’s leadership, mandates that all shows must “break even.” This has discouraged artists from participating, leading to the withdrawal of performances such as the musical “Hamilton,” which was initially scheduled for earlier this year.
According to a former Kennedy Center employee, Broadway tours are reconsidering their venues, often opting not to include the Kennedy Center in their schedules. “One of the financial lifelines of the center is Broadway,” the former employee noted. “Broadway tours are looking at where they should be playing, and in many cases, they are choosing not the Kennedy Center.”
Concerns Over Artist Inclusion
Under the new board of trustees, approved by Trump, there have been reports of stringent vetting processes regarding performers’ gender identities. Marc Bamuthi Joseph, the former head of the center’s social impact team, who lost his position following Trump’s inauguration, recounted that inquiries about the gender identity of artists became commonplace. “They would ask us specifically if any of the artists were trans,” he revealed. “They never explicitly said, ‘Don’t do that,’ but they would make the conditions impossible for trans artists and gay artists to safely come.”
The changes in leadership and accompanying policies at the Kennedy Center have raised concerns among artists and audiences alike. As ticket sales continue to decline and productions face financial scrutiny, the future of the center’s programming remains uncertain.
