Composer Stephen Schwartz has reiterated his refusal to appear at the Kennedy Center, following his earlier withdrawal from a planned gala amid the venue's controversial leadership changes under Donald Trump. The move is part of a growing artist backlash against the center's perceived shift from political neutrality.
Building on his January 1, 2026, announcement withdrawing from the Washington National Opera Gala, Stephen Schwartz confirmed on January 5 that he will not participate in any future Kennedy Center events. The 'Wicked' composer cited the venue's transformation since Trump's 2025 overhaul—including MAGA-aligned board appointments, Trump's self-appointment as chairman, and the proposed renaming—as reasons it no longer serves as an apolitical space for art.
This stance aligns with a wave of cancellations by artists like Issa Rae, Rhiannon Giddens, and Renée Fleming, amid legal challenges to the renaming and reports of declining attendance. The Kennedy Center has denied Schwartz was ever confirmed for the gala and maintains its operations under interim leadership.
Schwartz's position highlights tensions in the arts world over cultural institutions' political involvement, with no immediate resolution in sight.
