March 21st 2024.
Celebrities such as Alicia Keys and Roc Nation have joined in the efforts to save the drama program at the Professional Performing Arts School in Hell's Kitchen. This prestigious school has produced successful alumni like Keys, Jeremy Allen White, Claire Danes, and Britney Spears. The news of the program's potential closure due to budget cuts came as a shock to many, and seventh-grade students took action by launching a GoFundMe page to raise $102,000.
The students expressed their heartbreak and highlighted the impact of this program on hundreds of students. Their campaign quickly gained momentum and by March 21st, it had already raised over $58,000. Among the generous donors were Roc Nation and Alicia Keys, who pledged $60,000 to support the program. Seventh-grader Tennyson Artigliere was amazed by the overwhelming response and shared his excitement with ABC 7 NY. He also revealed that Roc Nation has promised to continue funding the program until the Department of Education can find a sustainable solution.
Actor Jeremy Allen White, known for his role in the popular show "The Bear," also showed his support by sharing the GoFundMe link on his Instagram Story and donating to his former high school. He expressed his admiration for the program and its dedicated teachers, urging others to contribute if they were able to.
The situation at PPAS was brought to light when Waterwell Director of Education Heather Lanza sent an email to W42ST detailing the 20% budget cut that the drama department would be facing for the rest of the 2023-2024 school year. Principal Leah Dyer had informed the organization about this cut during a Zoom meeting, revealing a deficit of $80,000. However, Lanza claims that the actual deficit is at least $102,000, which prompted the students to take action through their GoFundMe campaign.
It is disheartening to see the impact of budget cuts on important programs like this, especially when it affects the education and opportunities of talented students. The support from celebrities and the community has been heartwarming, but there is still a long way to go in order to reach the fundraising goal and secure the future of the drama program at PPAS. It is a reminder of the ongoing struggle for gender equality, as highlighted by the persistent gender wage gap, which persists even among highly educated individuals and varies across different states. Let us all come together to support these students and their passion for the arts.
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