Kennedy Center’s New Dance Director Criticized ‘Woke’ Ballet Culture

The Kennedy Center's new dance director, Stephen Nakagawa, has been criticized for his stance on "woke" ballet culture. Nakagawa, a former dancer with the Washington Ballet, wrote a letter to the leader of the arts center expressing his concerns about the infiltration of "radical leftist ideologies" in the ballet world. Nakagawa's letter argued that ballet has been increasingly politicized, with a focus on diversity and inclusion efforts that he believes have undermined artistic merit. He criticized what he sees as a push towards "social justice" in ballet, which he believes has led to the marginalization of traditional ballet techniques and the prioritization of identity politics over artistic excellence. The letter has sparked a debate within the dance community, with some defending Nakagawa's concerns and others criticizing his stance as being out of touch with the changing cultural landscape. The Kennedy Center has not yet responded publicly to Nakagawa's letter, but the issue is likely to continue to be a topic of discussion within the arts community.