Comedy icon and Duke Ellington School of the Arts alumnus Dave Chappelle announced today he will return to Washington, D.C., to perform a benefit for his alma mater on Friday, September 25, 2026, at historic DAR Constitution Hall.
The event continues the celebration of Duke Ellington School of the Arts’ (DESA) 50 years of artistic excellence while raising critical support for The Donal Leace Endowment for the Theater Department—the program Chappelle trained in as a student. The endowment is named for the late Donal Leace, who chaired Ellington’s Theater Department, taught theater history, public speaking and the Harlem Renaissance, and mentored students including Chappelle and opera singer Denyce Graves. It supports theater instruction, productions, and performance opportunities for the next generation of creative artists.
PRESALE: The Duke Ellington School of the Arts community—alumni, donors, and faculty—will have access to presale tickets beginning Wednesday, September 16, at 10 a.m. ET, through Thursday, September 17, at 10 a.m. ET. For complete presale details, visit Ellington Fund Pledge Opportunities
TICKETS: The general onsale begins Thursday, September 17, at noon local time at Livenation.com.
The benefit follows a successful series of Duke Ellington School of the Arts fundraising events on Martha’s Vineyard in August featuring Chappelle and fellow alumnus Lamman Rucker and friend of DESA, DJ D-Nice. The events were supported by the title sponsor Resorts World New York City.
More than a fundraiser, the benefit celebrates the transformative power of arts education and the enduring cultural impact of one of the nation’s premier public arts high schools. Proceeds will support efforts to build the Duke Ellington School of the Arts permanent endowment, creating a sustainable source of funding to help ensure talented young artists have access to exceptional arts education, training, and opportunity for generations to come.
“Ellington has spent five decades proving that when young artists are given access, mentorship, and opportunity, they can change the world,” said Sandi Logan, principal of Duke Ellington School of the Arts. “This event celebrates an incredible legacy while investing in the students whose creativity will shape our culture. We are building on the first 50 years to ensure the Ellington legacy continues for the next 50 and beyond,” said Logan.
Bridge to Bold International joins The Ellington Fund in support of the school, helping raise critical funds for the permanent endowment. The collaboration advances Bridge to Bold’s mission of expanding access to theater instruction and arts education.
Its distinguished alumni include Dave Chappelle, Lamman Rucker, Ari Lennox, Corey Hawkins, Samira Wiley, Clifton Powell, Denyce Graves, Meshell Ndegeocello, Johnny Gill, Maimouna Youssef and Ben Williams, among many others whose work has made an impact across comedy, film, television, theater, music, dance, and the arts.
Supporters who are unable to attend can still participate in DESA’s anniversary campaign. Every contribution helps provide the arts education, mentorship, wellness resources, technology, and professional opportunities that prepare Ellington students to become the next generation of creative leaders.
SPONSORSHIP & CONTRIBUTIONS
For sponsorship opportunities, event information, or to make a contribution, contact Veronica Martin atBenefits@ellingtonarts.org
For access to events and benefits: Ellington Fund Pledge Opportunities
These events are phone-free experiences. Phones, smartwatches, and accessories are not permitted in the performance space. On arrival, guests will secure these devices in individual Yondr pouches, which are unlocked at the end of the show. Guests maintain possession of their devices at all times and can access them throughout the event only in designated Phone Use Areas within the venue. Devices must be re-secured in Yondr pouches before guests return to the performance space. Anyone seen using a device (phone, smartwatch, or accessory) during the performance will be escorted out of the venue by security.
Pilot Boy Productions, Inc. and/or Dave Chappelle own all rights in the content and materials, including any jokes and sketches (the “Materials”), delivered during his performance. The Materials may not be copied, translated, transmitted, displayed, distributed, or reproduced verbatim (the “Use”), in whole or in part, in any form, media, or technology now known or later developed, without the express prior written consent of Pilot Boy Productions, Inc. Any Use of the Materials without the express prior written consent of Pilot Boy Productions, Inc. is strictly prohibited and shall be subject to all available legal remedies, whether in equity or at law, at the cost of anyone who violates this prohibition.
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