4:45 PM: This story has been updated to reflect the appointment of a new director of dance programming, Stephen Nakagawa.

The staffing shakeup at the Kennedy Center continues. Following longtime Vice President and Executive Producer of Theater Jeffrey Finn stepping down from his post, the Washington, D.C. institution has now let go of three members of its dance programming team: director Jane Raleigh, and assistant managers Mallory Miller and Malik Burnett. In addition, Stephen Nakagawa has been named the new director of dance programming.

According to NPR, who first reported the news of the firing, the dance employees were abruptly fired August 21. In a statement posted to Facebook, Raleigh (who had been with the institution for 12 years), attributed her firing due to her support of a union for Kennedy Center workers, writing: "In May of this year, my colleagues filed a petition to form a labor union. From the beginning, I have been publicly supportive of this effort as the staff were fighting to maintain the trust we have with our artists and audiences, maintain our free speech and artistic integrity, and maintain our ability to do the work we are committed to day in and day out. 

"While I was told my dismissal was due to a 'loss of confidence in my leadership,' I know this firing to be in retaliation for my public support of the ongoing union organization drive at the Center."

At the Kennedy Center, Raleigh's programming included classic ballet and contemporary dance, presenting works from New York City Ballet, Alvin Ailey Dance Company, Martha Graham Dance Company, and many others. The Center also commissioned works by local choreographers, and its annual production of The Nutcracker was a popular offering. In an interview with the New York Times, Raleigh says that days prior to her firing, Kennedy Center President Richard Grenell had told her to program works that were more "broadly appealing" citing the reality television show So You Think You Can Dance and Swan Lake as examples.  

Raleigh's replacement, Nakagawa, is a choreographer and former dancer at Washington Ballet. 

“It is a tremendous honor to join the Kennedy Center at such a pivotal moment for the performing arts,” said Nakagawa in a statement. “The arts have always been at the heart of my life. I am eager to help inspire and uplift audiences, while ensuring dance continues to thrive as a vibrant and essential part of our culture and community.”

In a statement, the nascent Kennedy Center United Arts Worker said the firings are "the latest move in the Grenell's administration’s chaotic campaign of intimidation, harassment and retaliation against Kennedy Center workers…all while he drives the heralded institution into the ground."

“We are honored that Stephen Nakagawa will be joining the Kennedy Center full-time to lead Dance Programming,” said Grenell in a statement. “Stephen is a celebrated ballerino who has been trained by world-renowned artistic directors and was a company dancer right here in Washington, D.C. with The Washington Ballet. Stephen is passionate about dance education and finding ways to reach new audiences.”

The Kennedy Center has been in an upheaval since President Trump took control of the organization in February, firing members of the board and its president and installing his own loyalists. Trump also appointed himself board chair. Over 50 employees have left the organization since, either by firing or resignation. 

Last week, Trump also signaled his desire to have the Center renamed for him, saying in the Oval Office: "Some people refer to it as the ‘Trump Kennedy Center,’ but we’re not prepared to do that quite yet. Maybe in a week or so.” There's already a proposal from House Republicans to rename a Kennedy Center venue after First Lady Melania Trump.

Trump also recently announced that he would be hosting the 2026 Kennedy Center honors, saying that he was "very involved" in selecting this year's honorees and that he had turned down "a couple of wokesters." The December 7 ceremony will honor Phantom of the Opera star Michael Crawford, Rocky writer and star Sylvester Stallone, "I Will Survive" singer Gloria Gaynor, and glam rock band Kiss. Reportedly, Tom Cruise was also selected as an honoree but turned it down due to "scheduling conflicts."

Trump previously criticized the prior programming at the Kennedy Center, saying it was "woke" and "terrible" and that the "programming was out of control with rampant political propaganda, DEI, and inappropriate shows.” He has never provided further details on the allegedly offensive programming, nor specifics about which parts of their content he found troubling. Much of his rhetoric has revolved around drag performance, though two musicals that the Trump-controlled Kennedy Center has programmed—Mrs. Doubtfire and Chicago—include drag performances as major components.

Since Trump's takeover, a number of previously programmed shows have been canceled—either by the center itself or by artists who no longer wanted to perform there. This included the Hamilton producers cancelling the national tour stop at the Kennedy Center, and the producers of Eureka Day (which recently won a 2025 Tony Award) canceling a planned engagement of the play. The Center canceled a planned tour of a children's musical called Finn, which had themes that could be interpreted as queer; the Kennedy Center said that the decision was a financial one, while the creators of the show said they had been informed after Trump’s takeover.

In addition to taking control of the Kennedy Center, Trump has also proposed eliminating the National Endowment for the Arts. While the agency still exists and is still being considered for federal funding, Trump's announcement has led to the NEA canceling grants to theatres nationwide.