You might not think of children’s theater when you think about the resistance. Except that Trump just cancelled an upcoming tour of a queer-coded musical about a shark named Finn. Think again.

Kennedy Center staff describe climate of fear as events drop from calendar Issa Rae became the first major artist to publicly cancel an upcoming show at the center after President Donald Trump took over its board and leadership.

This feels like a moment for artists to unite in walking away from the Kennedy Center. www.washingtonpost.com/entertainmen...

This is just so sad. The Kennedy Center is a jewel of the DC arts world (and one of things that makes it tolerable to move here from NYC). I saw this lovely show Finn, created by my friend @chrisnee.bsky.social and friends, and it delighted kids and adults alike. Tour now canceled

Chris Nee is an incredible person and friend, so it infuriates me to see her work fall prey to Trump’s authoritarian takeover of The Kennedy Center. This is just the beginning of their attacks on creative freedom, so it’s vital that we support “degenerate artists.” Give her a follow for more updates

Please follow @finnmusical.bsky.social so that we can activate you as we find ways to use Finn for the resistance.

Dimond & Kooman & Nee are sad to announce that the Kennedy Center tour of our musical Finn was officially cancelled yesterday. While not a surprise given the events of the last week, it is a heartbreak. But we will not be silenced. And we will not abandon the kids we wrote this show for. They are already under attack from every side. We didn’t ask for this joy bomb of a show to be a part of the resistance, but here we are. Please repost, and follow us at @Finnmusical as we look to be loud in response to this administration’s desire to silence us.

Finn is a musical for young audiences that was commissioned by The Kennedy Center. We premiered in December to rave reviews and financial success leading to the show being chosen as the Kennedy Center’s next touring show. We were so excited that more kids would see themselves in the world of Finn and know they were perfect just as they are. At its heart it has a universal message of love and acceptance. The fact that that extends to sparkly boys seems to be controversial. The resistance starts here – with a shark who wants to let out his inner fish. Follow us @finnmusical

On Monday Finn received a Helen Hayes nomination for best new play or musical. Yesterday we got the call from the Kennedy Center closing down the tour. Today we resist, and ask you to join us. We will find a way to get Finn out to the audiences who need it most. Follow us @finnmusical so you’re ready to help us get loud.

AUTHORITARIANS CANNOT RISE IF PEOPLE ARE ACTING WITH JOY. - HEATHER COX RICHARDSON An image from FINN the musical: seven actors in bright costumes in front of a stage with an underwater design.

The Kennedy Center has canceled its upcoming tour of FINN. I was the music director for the world premiere production this fall. It's the show I wish had existed when I was a child.

The Trump administration is trying to censor this story but it will never disappear.

@chrisnee.bsky.social's IG post

Thank you @rmayemsinger.bsky.social Please keep boosting this story!

Shonda Rhimes Resigns from Kennedy Center Board After Trump Appoints Himself as Chairman Shonda Rhimes has resigned from the board of trustees for the Kennedy Center after Donald Trump appointed himself chairman.

www.indiewire.com/news/breakin...

thank you, Shonda and everyone else who resigned.

I've spent the last two years writing a musical for The Kennedy Center. The last week has been heartbreaking and mind blowing. And we are in the center of it all.

I AM LOSING MY MIND.

Musk just took FEMA funds out of NYC’s bank account?!?!?!?!??

I expect to be on it.

Congratulations to “The Fairly Odd Parents: A New Wish” for winning an inaugural Velma Award for BEST NEW NONBINARY CAST MEMBER. "Wellsington Hotellsington" is a great episode and we're always excited to see an existing show expand its cast with a new LGBTQ+ character. @lindsaykatai.bsky.social

Congratulations to “Primos” for winning an inaugural Velma Award for BEST REQUITED QUEER CRUSH. "Summer of Heart Eyes" is a great episode about seeing your favorite cousin end up with the crush of their dreams. #primos

Congratulations to #MonsterHigh & the "The Monster Fest (Halloween Special)" for winning an inaugural Velma Award for BEST GUEST STAR EXTRAVAGANZA. A show that takes on the challenge of expanding the narrative of what a Trans Superstar Pop Diva (Phoenix, voiced by Dominique Jackson) looks like.

Congratulations to Canada's “Let's Go Bananas” for winning an inaugural Velma Award for BEST HELPING MY DAD PROPOSE TO MY OTHER DAD. This is a heartwarming show with amazing inclusivity. "The Big Pop/A Very Bananas Wedding" episodes celebrate the union of a queer family through the eyes of a child.

Congratulations to “Queer Kid Stuff” for winning an inaugural Velma Award for MOST IMPRESSIVE INDIE INNOVATOR. Performer, writer, educator, and activist Lindz Amer is a one-person force of nature committed to telling queer stories for all ages. @queerkidstuff @mxlindz

Congrats to “The Dragon Prince: Mystery of Aaravos" for winning an inaugural Velma Award for BEST WEDDING BEFORE YOU AND YOUR NEW WIFE GO FIGHT INSURGENTS. This show breaks barriers with amazing representation of the queer and disabled communities in "The Red Wedding." @thedragonprince.bsky.social

Congratulations to “Firebuds” for winning an inaugural Velma Award for BEST CELEBRATION OF THE COMPLEX QUEER FAMILY TREE. The episode "Balancing Act" does an outstanding job exploring the challenges faced by kids from queer families when asked to explain their family's unique structure. #firebuds

Congratulations to “Danny Joe's Treehouse” for winning an inaugural Velma Award for BEST OLD WORLD SHOW WITH NEW WORLD THINKING that's doing wonderful work which continually explores queer narratives for all ages, especially in the episode "Olive and the Oxenfree Family Roundup." #dannyjoestreehouse

Congrats to “Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur” for winning an inaugural Velma Award for BEST EPISODE (PERIOD!) THAT ALSO NEVER SAW THE LIGHT OF DAY. "The Gatekeeper" is a brave and groundbreaking episode that tackles the fight for trans acceptance in sports. Unfortunately, this episode was never aired.

Congratulations to “Heartstopper” for winning an inaugural Velma Award for BEST QUEER SHOW YOU WISH EXISTED WHEN YOU WERE GROWING UP. In its third season, this show continues to do an amazing job of recognizing the entire LGBTQ+ community. #heartstopper #see_saw_films

Congrats to “Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock” for winning an inaugural Velma Award for BEST EXPLORATION OF GENDER EXPRESSION. "I Am Pogey!" is a beautiful episode with @adamlambert.bsky.social about gender & self-expression with an amazing song & heartfelt message. It’s everything a show should be.

‘Heartstopper,’ ‘Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur,’ Among Inaugural Winners of The Velma Awards (Exclusive) The honors, launched by the Chris Nee co-founded The Rainbow Project, celebrate creatives and children’s and family media working towards better onscreen representation of LGBTQ+ youth and their famil...

The inaugural Velma Awards honorees have been announced. Congratulations to all of the amazing, inclusive, bold, and daring winners! #TheVelmas #TheVelmaAwards #TheRainbowProject www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-featur... | @thevelmas.bsky.social

‘Heartstopper,’ ‘Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur,’ Among Inaugural Winners of The Velma Awards (Exclusive) The honors, launched by the Chris Nee co-founded The Rainbow Project, celebrate creatives and children’s and family media working towards better onscreen representation of LGBTQ+ youth and their famil...

Here are the first winners of The Velma Awards! All so deserving. www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-featur...

Chris Nee, Rainbow Project Founders on Launching the Velma Awards and the State of LGBTQ-Inclusive Kids Media The producer and showrunner, along with voice and casting director Kristi Reed, and studio executive Jeremy Blacklow discuss founding a new way to celebrate Hollywood’s “courageous” LGBTQ+ creators, q...

Thank you @chrisnee.bsky.social, @kristireed.bsky.social, and Jeremy Blacklow for creating the Velma Awards! Anything that supports and encourages more LGTBQ+ inclusive projects for kids and families is soooooo needed right now.
www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-featur...

#Queer #Queercreators #WGA #TAG #screenwriter #Animation #author #TYA