Arlington Arts groups Thrive While Kennedy Center Struggles

2025 brought shake-ups and falling sales to the Kennedy Center. But several performing arts groups in Arlington enjoyed a remarkably prosperous year.

Local leaders aren’t sure if thay’ve directly benefited from the turmoil across the Potomac.The recent renaming of D.C.’s premier performing arts center to the “Trump-Kennedy Center” certainly didn’t help.It’s a sensitive issue.

Kennedy Center audiences have dwindled amid boycotts. Artists and theatergoers are protesting the venue’s board electing Trump as chair back in February. Meanwhile, Arlington organizations are seeing strong results. Signature Theatre and Synetic Theater even set sales records!

“Signature Theatre continues to grow its audience every year, and we’re having a fantastic season,” says Zachary Flick, signature Theatre’s publicist. “‘Fiddler on the Roof‘ is our best-selling production ever, and fundraising is very strong this year.”

The success of “Fiddler on the roof” – running through January 25, 2026 – might be thanks to landing a Tony Award-nominated actor for the role of Tevye. He’s a fantastic narrator.

But other local groups are also having standout seasons.They’re really contrasting with the Kennedy Center’s struggles.

For instance,Synetic theater is…