Hamilton Creators Made Right Decision
A musical celebrating diversity and inclusion has no business in a 47-controlled arts center, operating against its founding principles
The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts website lists seven words under the values heading: Collaboration, Respect, Inclusion, Openness, Empowerment, Service, and Exploration.
However, these values are absent under the new Trump administration takeover. Shortly after inauguration to a second term, President Donald J. Trump named himself the grand poohbah of the Center and replaced its board of directors with loyalists, including White House staff and donor spouses. Artists have been dropped, including the Washington, D.C. Gay Men's Chorus in a Pride performance with the National Symphony Orchestra.
Last week, Lin-Manual Miranda and Jeffrey Seller, creator and producer of "Hamilton," pulled the Tony winner from the Center's 250th anniversary celebration of the Declaration of Independence.
Miranda told the New York Times, "This latest action by Trump means it's not the Kennedy Center as we knew it. The Kennedy Center was not created in this spirit, and we won't be a part of it while it is the Trump Kennedy Center."
Considering the iconic show's themes of inclusion, diversity, and love, I see a supreme irony in its not being included in the 2026 programming at our national arts center, celebrating a national anniversary.
When I ponder those seven words listed as the Center's values, I understand why Miranda and Seller chose to pull their show. For "Hamilton" to perform would be a mockery of the spirit under which the Center was founded.
The play follows the life and political activism of Alexander Hamilton, an immigrant from St. Croix, the Virgin Islands. Hamilton was George Washington's aide-de-camp during the War, served as the first Secretary of the Treasury, and co-authored the Federalist Papers. "Hamilton" is still running on stage in New York, worldwide, and on Disney Plus; it features a diverse cast and explores Hamilton's loves, political relationships, ideals, and flaws. The musical performed at the Kennedy Center in 2018, during President Trump's first term.
I've loved the arts all of my life. My parents, both teachers, took me to theater productions, museums, and historic sites. Through their actions, I learned that art could represent many viewpoints through the eyes of a painter or the voice of a writer or playwright.
The legislation that made the Center possible was signed by Dwight D. Eisenhower, a Republican president, and named for a Democratic president, John F. Kennedy.
Since opening in 1971, the Kennedy Center has been a valuable resource and performance venue for all kinds of artists.
The Millennium Stage offers free daily performances, giving access to the community and a performance venue for smaller groups.
College students annually participate in the Kennedy Center College American Theater Festival.
Known as a leader in arts education, the Center provides lesson plans and teacher resources in the arts. It is the home of the National Symphony Orchestra, which in 2024 was widely praised for its "Echoes of America," which featured the NSO and 146 singers and highlighted American composers Aaron Copland, Jesse Montgomery, and Morris Robinson.
These activities give life to the Kennedy Center's mission statement: "As the nation's cultural Center and a living memorial to President John F. Kennedy, we are a leader for the arts across America and worldwide, reaching and connecting with artists, inspiring and educating communities. We welcome all to create, experience, learn about, and engage with the arts."
America has always had problems, but we learned, improved, and fought against our original sins of slavery and inequality. The move to stifle voices at our national arts center feels like we are stepping backward into a past of hatred and bias.
In Miranda's words from the play's song "History Has Its Eyes on You," George Washington counsels a young Hamilton, "Let me tell you what I wish I'd known when I was young and dreamed of glory: You have no control who lives, who dies, who tells your story."
President Trump, history has its eyes on you, indeed.
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They did the right thing.
Bravo!