San Francisco Ballet's Balanchine Tribute Raises Political Questions

Artistic Director Tamara Rojo's all-Balanchine program thrills audiences but collides with politics as the company confronts Trump-era Kennedy Center fallout.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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San Francisco Ballet's latest all-Balanchine program, 'Balanchine: Father of American Ballet,' has drawn scrutiny over the company's decision to perform at the Trump-associated Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. The program features Balanchine's iconic works like 'Serenade' and 'Stars and Stripes,' but the latter's flag-waving patriotism has raised concerns given the current political climate. While the dancing is praised, the program's political implications have sparked debate over Balanchine's legacy and the Ballet's role in navigating authoritarian politics.

Why it matters

Balanchine, who fled authoritarianism in Russia, created works that have become iconic American ballet. But the San Francisco Ballet's decision to perform at the Trump-associated Kennedy Center has raised questions about whether the company is 'flirting with authoritarianism' itself. The program's inclusion of 'Stars and Stripes,' a piece that some view as propaganda, has further fueled this debate over the Ballet's political stance.

The details

The program features three Balanchine works: 'Diamonds,' 'Serenade,' and 'Stars and Stripes.' 'Serenade' in particular has a backstory tied to Balanchine's own experience fleeing the Russian Revolution. However, the closing piece 'Stars and Stripes,' with its flag-waving patriotism, has drawn criticism for lacking proper context given the current political climate. A Change.org petition urging the Ballet to cancel its Kennedy Center performance has already garnered over 7,000 signatures.

  • The San Francisco Ballet program 'Balanchine: Father of American Ballet' opened on January 10, 2026.
  • The program is scheduled to run through February 15, 2026.

The players

Tamara Rojo

The Artistic Director of the San Francisco Ballet, who has spoken about her father's fight against fascism in Franco's Spain.

George Balanchine

The renowned choreographer who fled authoritarianism in Russia and went on to create iconic American ballet works.

Sandra Jennings

A Balanchine Trust stager who has repeated the tale that Balanchine borrowed the raised-arm gesture in 'Serenade' from dancers blocking their faces from the sun.

Jennifer Homans

The author of a 2022 biography on Balanchine, who offers a different story about the origins of the raised-arm gesture in 'Serenade.'

Sasha De Sola

A San Francisco Ballet dancer who performed the pas de deux in 'Diamonds' with ravishing self-possession.

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What they’re saying

“Whether to program Balanchine's flag-waving 'Stars and Stripes' as the closer of this program, though? That choice should have been simple. After all, last April, news of outsized deportation quotas and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement recruitment made the government's agenda clear.”

— Rachel Howard, Author (sfchronicle.com)

“To be clear, this program, which runs through Sunday, Feb. 15, is beautifully danced. That should come as no surprise as the Ballet has a deep connection with Balanchine's works dating back to 1952.”

— Rachel Howard, Author (sfchronicle.com)

What’s next

The San Francisco Ballet's performance at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. is scheduled for May 2026. A decision on whether to proceed with or cancel the engagement is still pending.

The takeaway

This case highlights the complex political implications of artistic programming, especially when it involves works by choreographers like Balanchine who fled authoritarian regimes. The San Francisco Ballet must navigate these sensitive issues carefully, balancing artistic integrity with social responsibility, as it confronts the fallout from its Kennedy Center engagement.