Ticket sales for the Kennedy Center’s annual production of “The Nutcracker” have significantly declined following the appointment of Donald Trump as the organization’s chairman earlier this year. According to internal sales data reviewed by CNN, ticket sales for the production’s seven performances reached approximately 10,000 seats, representing a 33% drop from the nearly 15,000 tickets sold between 2001 and 2024.
A source familiar with the Kennedy Center’s operations indicated that even if the production were to sell out, the associated costs would still exceed ticket revenues. “Selling every ticket to ‘The Nutcracker’ is absolutely not paying your bills,” the individual, who requested anonymity, stated. “We have 19 unions here. The production costs are huge.”
Financial Struggles and Cancellations
The Kennedy Center has faced additional challenges, including the cancellation of various performances. This has been attributed to a new policy mandating that all productions must “break even,” as well as the resignation of several artists from leadership roles. Notably, a performance of the musical “Hamilton” scheduled for earlier this year was cancelled.
One former Kennedy Center employee explained, “One of the financial lifelines of the center is Broadway. Broadway tours are looking at where they should be playing, and in many cases, they are choosing not the Kennedy Center.” This shift in preference underscores the center’s ongoing financial difficulties.
Impact on Artistic Diversity
Under the new Trump-appointed board of trustees, concerns have arisen regarding the vetting process for performers. Marc Bamuthi Joseph, the former head of the center’s social impact team who was terminated after Trump’s inauguration, revealed that inquiries were made about artists’ gender identities. “They would ask us specifically if any of the artists were trans,” Joseph noted. “They never explicitly said, ‘Don’t do that,’ but they would make the conditions impossible for trans artists and gay artists to safely come.”
As the Kennedy Center navigates these challenges, the impact of leadership changes on ticket sales and artistic representation remains a crucial focus for stakeholders and the broader community. The future direction of the center will likely hinge on its ability to adapt to these financial pressures while maintaining its cultural significance.
