San Francisco Ballet pulls Kennedy Center dates from tour schedule

The ballet company has removed its planned performances from the Washington venue's calendar amid ongoing controversy over the center's leadership change.

Published on Mar. 3, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The San Francisco Ballet has quietly removed its planned performances at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. from its touring schedule, signaling a possible withdrawal from the engagement amid ongoing controversy surrounding the arts institution. The ballet company had been scheduled to present its contemporary production 'Mere Mortals' at the Kennedy Center Opera House from May 27 through 31, 2026, but the performances are no longer listed on the Ballet's website, though they remain on the Kennedy Center's calendar.

Why it matters

The apparent withdrawal follows weeks of mounting pressure on the San Francisco Ballet to cancel the Kennedy Center engagement after President Donald Trump reshaped the institution's leadership, installed himself as chairman, and approved renaming it the 'Donald J. Trump and the John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts.' A Change.org petition urging the Ballet to pull out of the Washington run surpassed 7,400 signatures, with supporters arguing that performing at the venue risked aligning the company with what they described as a politicized institution.

The details

The controversy intensified this month when Trump announced plans to close the Kennedy Center for roughly two years beginning in July for what he called 'Construction, Revitalization, and Complete Rebuilding.' The proposed shutdown has created uncertainty for resident groups, including the National Symphony Orchestra, whose musicians told NBC News they were caught off guard by the announcement. The San Francisco Ballet first announced its Kennedy Center engagement last year as part of its 2026 touring plans, with 'Mere Mortals' premiering in San Francisco in 2024 and billed as a major touring vehicle for the company.

  • The San Francisco Ballet had been scheduled to present 'Mere Mortals' at the Kennedy Center Opera House from May 27 through 31, 2026.
  • As of Saturday, the production no longer appears on the Ballet's touring page, and a direct link to the Kennedy Center engagement on the organization's website returns a 404 error message.

The players

San Francisco Ballet

An American ballet company based in San Francisco, California.

Kennedy Center

A performing arts center in Washington, D.C., previously known as the John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts, which was recently renamed the 'Donald J. Trump and the John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts' under the leadership of President Donald Trump.

Donald Trump

The former President of the United States who reshaped the Kennedy Center's leadership, installed himself as chairman, and approved renaming the institution.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

The takeaway

This withdrawal by the San Francisco Ballet highlights the growing controversy and political tensions surrounding the Kennedy Center under its new leadership and branding, with arts organizations and performers grappling with whether to continue engaging with the institution or risk being perceived as aligning with the changes implemented by the former president.