Key facts
- The Kennedy Center's management is not committing to rescheduling shows or rebuilding staff following a judge's order blocking a two-year closure.
- The venue plans to maintain an operational model with accessible public spaces but potentially silent stages after July 5.
- A federal judge ruled in May that President Donald Trump's name was illegally added to the building and ordered its removal.
- The judge also blocked the planned two-year closure and set a Friday deadline for a status update.
- The Kennedy Center will present the board with renovation options, including full or partial closure, for a vote in mid-July.
- Lawyers for Rep. Joyce Beatty argued the Center has not fully complied with the order, citing a tarp covering the former name's location.
The Kennedy Center's management has indicated it is not obligated to reschedule cancelled shows or rebuild its staff, even as it explores alternatives to a full two-year closure that was blocked by a federal judge last month. In a court filing on Friday, the Center's lawyers stated that the institution intends to "maintain an operational model" after the initial July 5 closure date, which would allow public access but potentially limit programming.