Dave Chappelle’s alma mater to name theater after star despite 'Closer' backlash: 'Stand behind our decision'
Fox News
The Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, D.C., had made plans to call off a theater-naming ceremony for the performer following criticism of his "Closer" special.
The Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, D.C., had made plans to call off the theater-naming ceremony for the performer due to the special's criticism but now says it will "stand behind" its alumnus, after all – even after Chappelle had joked that the school was "canceling stuff I didn't even want to do."
"Recently, Dave Chappelle, via his Instagram page, challenged those who both support and oppose the decision to name the theatre at Duke Ellington School of the Arts after him through a fundraising contest," the institution said in a statement on Sunday.
"While we appreciate Dave’s impromptu and spirited fundraising initiative, we stand behind our decision to honor the wishes of our co-founder, the late Peggy Cooper Cafritz, to name the theatre after Chappelle," it adds in part.