May 19th, 2025
Highlights among ballet and dance offerings include
Anniversaries and Centennials
Trisha Brown Dance Company with Merce Cunningham Trust celebrate the centennial of American painter, Artist, and longtime collaborator Robert Rauschenberg
Martha Graham Dance Company returns during its 100th year with new commissions, including a Kennedy Center commission, and signature Graham classics
A.I.M by Kyle Abraham commemorates 20 years in a repertory program including a Kennedy Center commissioned work with new music by Shelley Washington
New York City Ballet honors trailblazing Native American dancer Maria Tallchief’s 100th birthday
The Stuttgart Ballet returns with John Cranko’s Onegin during the ballet’s 60th anniversary year
Doug Varone and Dancers commemorates 40 years of dance with a repertory of classic Varone works Returning Favorites
San Francisco Ballet brings full-length ballet Mere Mortals inspired by the myths of Pandora and Prometheus
Pathways to Performance returns with new commissions by choreographers working in the ballet aesthetic
American Ballet Theatre in Christopher Wheeldon’s The Winter’s Tale
Cincinnati Ballet’s The Nutcracker returns to the Opera House stage
Overview
(Washington)—The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts announces programming for its 2025–2026 dance season. Beginning in October, artistry unfolds across the season with a lineup of ballet and dance offerings from world-class companies and artists, representing a wide range of classics and new works on the Center’s stages. And as America nears its 250th anniversary, this season also explores the American dance landscape through established, master voices and contemporary artists continuing to expand the field. Subscriptions will be available beginning at 10 a.m. today via the Kennedy Center website or by calling (202) 416-8500 weekdays between the hours of 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Remarking on the season, Jane Raleigh, Director of Dance Programming stated:
“Since its opening in 1971 with Bernstein’s MASS, the Kennedy Center has a storied tradition of welcoming the best contemporary dance and ballet companies from America and around the world to our esteemed stages. We remain deeply committed to programming that allows us to learn, feel, and experience the transformative power of dance together. Our incredible 2025–2026 season ahead reflects that deep history and the freshest sparks of innovation from across the field of professional dance. It is through that lens we are thrilled to highlight several monumental anniversaries this season—each one a tribute to the profound influence on generations of artists.” A Season of Celebrating Milestones
The dance field will celebrate several significant milestones during the coming year, most notably the centennials of the Martha Graham Dance Company and Trisha Brown and Merce Cunningham’s longtime collaborator, painter and artist Robert Rauschenberg.
Working in a wide range of subjects, styles, materials, and techniques, Rauschenberg has been credited as a forerunner of every postwar movement since Abstract Expressionism. Trisha Brown Dance Company with the Merce Cunningham Trust present a tribute to the unique collaboration each choreographer had with the renowned artist in a repertory program of masterworks titled Dancing with Bob: Rauschenberg, Brown, and Cunningham Onstage (December 3–5). Then in the spring of 2026, the Martha Graham Dance Company—considered to be America’s oldest dance troupe—graces the stage with classic works and new commissions, including a Kennedy Center commissioned work (April 2–4).
New York City Ballet honors the centennial of America’s first prima ballerina and trailblazing Native American dancer Maria Tallchief in one of two repertory programs as part of its annual engagement at the Center (June 2–7), along with a second program of works by contemporary choreographers that includes the Kennedy Center debut of Solitude, by NYCB Artist in Residence Alexei Ratmansky. Acclaimed choreographer Kyle Abraham’s company, A.I.M marks 20 years with a repertory program including a new Kennedy Center commissioned work with an original score by Shelley Washington (May 21–23). Additionally, an esteemed company not seen on the Center’s stages since 1992, The Stuttgart Ballet, returns with John Cranko’s bold production of Onegin, based on Alexander Pushkin’s 1825 narrative poem Eugene Onegin (October 8–12). The ballet, which premiered in 1965, is currently celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2025.
In addition, Los Angeles-based company BODYTRAFFIC makes its Kennedy Center debut with a program that dives into the power of memory sparked by unexpected reminders (October 29–30) and Canadian-based ice dance company Le Patin Libre makes its Kennedy Center debut bringing a blend of dance and skating to an ice rink installed on one of the Kennedy Center’s outdoor plazas (February 17–22). Having previously participated in Dance Place’s Alan M. Kreigsman Residency hosted at the Kennedy Center in the summer of 2024 at the REACH, choreographer and director Doug Varone and Dancers commemorates 40 years of dance with a repertory of classic Varone works (April 24–25).
Returning Favorites
Cincinnati Ballet’s enchanting version of The Nutcracker makes its way back to the Opera House stage during the holiday season (November 26 & 28–30). American Ballet Theatre follows in February with its annual engagement in the sweeping Christopher Wheeldon production of The Winter’s Tale (February 11–15); and San Francisco Ballet explores humanity’s relationship with artificial intelligence in the fully immersive full-length ballet Mere Mortals, inspired by the Greek myth of Pandora’s Jar (May 27–31).
Continuing the Center’s commitment to acknowledging the vast spectrum of contributors to the field of ballet, Theresa Ruth Howard and MoBBallet’s Pathways to Performance returns with new commissions by choreographers working in the ballet aesthetic (June 17–18). The Center also continues a decades-long commitment to present artists of Japanese heritage by collaborating with Japan Society. This year’s presentation highlights the work of Hiroaki Umeda, one of the leading figures of the Japanese contemporary dance scene (March 17–18).
The majority of the ballet offerings on the season will include live music by the Center’s own Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra.
Elevating the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Area Dance Community
The annual Local Dance Commissioning Project (LDCP), which supports and fosters new dance works by Washington, D.C.-metropolitan-area artists, continues its season-long support, providing funding for the recipient to choreograph and premiere a new work, with a finished product culminating in a presentation on one of the Center’s stages. This year’s awardee, Chitra Subramanian of chitra.MOVES, brings her signature fusion of Indian Classical and hip hop foundations to explore the idea of the “village” as a dynamic ecosystem of care—where every individual gives and receives, nurtures and is nurtured (November 8–9).
In addition, National Dance Day, the annual free event celebrating the art form, will take place on September 20, 2025, filled with engaging participatory activities for all ages. The Kennedy Center, in association with American Dance Movement and in conjunction with Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, will partner for the 15th year.
Throughout the season, the Center’s Education Division offers numerous events connected to the work happening on stage including master classes, conversations, artist talks, family dance workshops, Dance for Parkinson’s Disease classes, and more. For more information on educational offerings at the Center, visit https://www.kennedy-center.org/education/
Artists and performances are subject to change. back...
Anniversaries and Centennials
Trisha Brown Dance Company with Merce Cunningham Trust celebrate the centennial of American painter, Artist, and longtime collaborator Robert Rauschenberg
Martha Graham Dance Company returns during its 100th year with new commissions, including a Kennedy Center commission, and signature Graham classics
A.I.M by Kyle Abraham commemorates 20 years in a repertory program including a Kennedy Center commissioned work with new music by Shelley Washington
New York City Ballet honors trailblazing Native American dancer Maria Tallchief’s 100th birthday
The Stuttgart Ballet returns with John Cranko’s Onegin during the ballet’s 60th anniversary year
Doug Varone and Dancers commemorates 40 years of dance with a repertory of classic Varone works Returning Favorites
San Francisco Ballet brings full-length ballet Mere Mortals inspired by the myths of Pandora and Prometheus
Pathways to Performance returns with new commissions by choreographers working in the ballet aesthetic
American Ballet Theatre in Christopher Wheeldon’s The Winter’s Tale
Cincinnati Ballet’s The Nutcracker returns to the Opera House stage
Overview
(Washington)—The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts announces programming for its 2025–2026 dance season. Beginning in October, artistry unfolds across the season with a lineup of ballet and dance offerings from world-class companies and artists, representing a wide range of classics and new works on the Center’s stages. And as America nears its 250th anniversary, this season also explores the American dance landscape through established, master voices and contemporary artists continuing to expand the field. Subscriptions will be available beginning at 10 a.m. today via the Kennedy Center website or by calling (202) 416-8500 weekdays between the hours of 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Remarking on the season, Jane Raleigh, Director of Dance Programming stated:
“Since its opening in 1971 with Bernstein’s MASS, the Kennedy Center has a storied tradition of welcoming the best contemporary dance and ballet companies from America and around the world to our esteemed stages. We remain deeply committed to programming that allows us to learn, feel, and experience the transformative power of dance together. Our incredible 2025–2026 season ahead reflects that deep history and the freshest sparks of innovation from across the field of professional dance. It is through that lens we are thrilled to highlight several monumental anniversaries this season—each one a tribute to the profound influence on generations of artists.” A Season of Celebrating Milestones
The dance field will celebrate several significant milestones during the coming year, most notably the centennials of the Martha Graham Dance Company and Trisha Brown and Merce Cunningham’s longtime collaborator, painter and artist Robert Rauschenberg.
Working in a wide range of subjects, styles, materials, and techniques, Rauschenberg has been credited as a forerunner of every postwar movement since Abstract Expressionism. Trisha Brown Dance Company with the Merce Cunningham Trust present a tribute to the unique collaboration each choreographer had with the renowned artist in a repertory program of masterworks titled Dancing with Bob: Rauschenberg, Brown, and Cunningham Onstage (December 3–5). Then in the spring of 2026, the Martha Graham Dance Company—considered to be America’s oldest dance troupe—graces the stage with classic works and new commissions, including a Kennedy Center commissioned work (April 2–4).
New York City Ballet honors the centennial of America’s first prima ballerina and trailblazing Native American dancer Maria Tallchief in one of two repertory programs as part of its annual engagement at the Center (June 2–7), along with a second program of works by contemporary choreographers that includes the Kennedy Center debut of Solitude, by NYCB Artist in Residence Alexei Ratmansky. Acclaimed choreographer Kyle Abraham’s company, A.I.M marks 20 years with a repertory program including a new Kennedy Center commissioned work with an original score by Shelley Washington (May 21–23). Additionally, an esteemed company not seen on the Center’s stages since 1992, The Stuttgart Ballet, returns with John Cranko’s bold production of Onegin, based on Alexander Pushkin’s 1825 narrative poem Eugene Onegin (October 8–12). The ballet, which premiered in 1965, is currently celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2025.
In addition, Los Angeles-based company BODYTRAFFIC makes its Kennedy Center debut with a program that dives into the power of memory sparked by unexpected reminders (October 29–30) and Canadian-based ice dance company Le Patin Libre makes its Kennedy Center debut bringing a blend of dance and skating to an ice rink installed on one of the Kennedy Center’s outdoor plazas (February 17–22). Having previously participated in Dance Place’s Alan M. Kreigsman Residency hosted at the Kennedy Center in the summer of 2024 at the REACH, choreographer and director Doug Varone and Dancers commemorates 40 years of dance with a repertory of classic Varone works (April 24–25).
Returning Favorites
Cincinnati Ballet’s enchanting version of The Nutcracker makes its way back to the Opera House stage during the holiday season (November 26 & 28–30). American Ballet Theatre follows in February with its annual engagement in the sweeping Christopher Wheeldon production of The Winter’s Tale (February 11–15); and San Francisco Ballet explores humanity’s relationship with artificial intelligence in the fully immersive full-length ballet Mere Mortals, inspired by the Greek myth of Pandora’s Jar (May 27–31).
Continuing the Center’s commitment to acknowledging the vast spectrum of contributors to the field of ballet, Theresa Ruth Howard and MoBBallet’s Pathways to Performance returns with new commissions by choreographers working in the ballet aesthetic (June 17–18). The Center also continues a decades-long commitment to present artists of Japanese heritage by collaborating with Japan Society. This year’s presentation highlights the work of Hiroaki Umeda, one of the leading figures of the Japanese contemporary dance scene (March 17–18).
The majority of the ballet offerings on the season will include live music by the Center’s own Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra.
Elevating the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Area Dance Community
The annual Local Dance Commissioning Project (LDCP), which supports and fosters new dance works by Washington, D.C.-metropolitan-area artists, continues its season-long support, providing funding for the recipient to choreograph and premiere a new work, with a finished product culminating in a presentation on one of the Center’s stages. This year’s awardee, Chitra Subramanian of chitra.MOVES, brings her signature fusion of Indian Classical and hip hop foundations to explore the idea of the “village” as a dynamic ecosystem of care—where every individual gives and receives, nurtures and is nurtured (November 8–9).
In addition, National Dance Day, the annual free event celebrating the art form, will take place on September 20, 2025, filled with engaging participatory activities for all ages. The Kennedy Center, in association with American Dance Movement and in conjunction with Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, will partner for the 15th year.
Throughout the season, the Center’s Education Division offers numerous events connected to the work happening on stage including master classes, conversations, artist talks, family dance workshops, Dance for Parkinson’s Disease classes, and more. For more information on educational offerings at the Center, visit https://www.kennedy-center.org/education/
Artists and performances are subject to change. back...
