Hell's Kitchen Professional Performing Arts School (PPAS) — a public school that counts stars such as Alicia Keys, Jeremy Allen White, Claire Danes, Britney Spears and Jesse Eisenberg among its alumni. When the students heard that their favorite drama program was being canceled this year, they did what any group of rough-and-tumble theater artists would do. I took action to save the show.
In just three days, the PPAS community not only managed to raise over $46,000 to save the famous drama club through a widely shared GoFundMe started by one of the school's seventh graders, but also managed PPAS and Jay-Z's Roc Nation. Alicia Keys, alum and Hell's Kitchen native, has pledged $60,000 to keep the footlights on until a permanent solution is found. Theater program administrators now hope the school will choose to allocate funds to continue classes and shows.
Program Manager Waterwell — Co-founded artistic training collective based in Hell's Kitchen inheritanceAfter 13 years of managing PPAS's rigorous conservatory-style training program at the middle and high school levels, Ariane Moayed was blindsided when the curtain suddenly fell on her.
An email obtained by W42ST from Waterwell Director of Education Heather Lanza to PPAS parents and students states that the school's principal, Leah Dyer, has announced that the department will It states that he was told that his budget would be cut by 20%. . Waterwell faces a program deficit of at least $80,000 (Lanza claims the program deficit is more like $102,000), according to a Zoom meeting Principal Dyer held for parents. The classes were scheduled to end in April.
The Department of Education (DOE) countered that the decision to fire Waterwell was not a result of budget cuts, but rather the agency's decision to find a new program administrator.
“The school's decision to move away from this provider was not related to budget cuts. In fact, the program's budget has not been reduced and the school has been in contact with the provider for several months regarding the possibility of dissolving the partnership. ,” said a DOE spokesperson. Jenna Lyle said. “A rigorous theater arts program continues to be a priority at PPAS, and the school continues to support its students through the end of the standard academic year program, which ends on April 30, with dedicated staff continuing to support students' drama education and the school We will source new partners for the program next year. ” We have reached out to Waterwell’s DOE regarding her long-term future with the school and will update you if we hear back.
“It is shocking to see misrepresentations in the media about how we came to this unfortunate situation,” Waterwell representatives said in a statement. “We were made aware of these cuts at the beginning of the year, and we read a statement mid-year that said we were aware that the budget was changing and that the school was looking for new providers for these programs. All of this is categorically untrue, and we are surprised that a statement would be made by the DOE that perpetuates such a falsehood.”
They added that their focus remains on the students most hurt by the events. “It would be unfair and unnecessary to pull the rug out from under them at the end of this year after all they have worked so hard over the past year.”
The Waterwell team said they were “deeply touched” by the show of support from the PPAS community fundraiser, but added: “Despite the students' great intentions, the funds are earmarked for the PPAS PTA. Well will not be able to receive this funding directly.” It will be up to PTAs and school parent organizations to decide how these funds will be utilized. In any case, Waterwell is happy to step in and stand ready to deliver the remainder of the year's programming should funding become available. Waterwell hopes funding will be restored in the coming weeks, allowing the program to be completed and students to continue their training. ”
For parents, students and alumni of PPAS, located on W. 48th Street between 8th and 9th Streets, the news that the theater department will not close by the end of the school year is a relief. The donation to Roc Nation is “amazing news,” said Hell's Kitchen parent Chrissy Collins. Her daughter Emma, a drama major at PPAS, said she was “absolutely heartbroken” to hear of the station's financial difficulties.
“I have been attending PPAS since the 6th grade. When I enrolled, I realized that my goals would actually come true,” Emma said. She added that Waterwell is a “fantastic program that works with our schools” and that the threat of permanent cancellation is still “unfair to drama students and teachers”.
Valerie, also a theater major, told W42ST that Waterwell's relationship with PPAS is essential to their growth as professional performers. “Working with Waterwell makes us feel like what we do as actors is worth our time and energy,” she said. “Rather than being satisfied with the idea of working 9 to 5 in an office right out of high school, we are taught to strive for more than that. That's what being an actor is all about. It's about striving for something that really makes you happy, whether that's being a dancer, or even being a lawyer, if that's what we choose. We are inspired every day by the artists who teach us. The support we have received from them, even during this difficult time, has been truly amazing and deserves praise. We are very grateful,” she added.
Alumni of the program agree.Jeremy Allen White just finished an award-winning season on FX bear, emphasized the importance of keeping the PPAS program alive on social media. “It's a great program with great instructors,” White wrote. “Please help if you can. I donated.” Ariana DiLorenzo, a proud PPAS alumnus and popular singer-songwriter known as Ariana and the Roses, participated in the fundraiser and donated to the school. He told W42ST that the teachers and community he found there are “the reason I'm a performer today.” Her participation in PPAS was “a unique experience that shaped me as a performer and as a person,” she added. “This is a very special place.”
Although the Waterwell program at PPAS still faces an uncertain future, current students like Emma and Valerie are confident that the momentum they have gained in recent days will help them and generations of others benefit from a world-class theater education. I hope this helps you continue to receive. “When we came to PPAS, we realized something,” they said. “It's worth pursuing your dreams, even if there are obstacles in the way.”
