Dave Chappelle to headline Duke Ellington School of the Arts fundraiser in Washington

Dave Chappelle will return to Washington, D.C., on Sept. 25 to headline a benefit for Duke Ellington School of the Arts at DAR Constitution Hall. Proceeds will support the school’s 50th-anniversary campaign, including the Donal Leace Endowment and efforts to build a permanent endowment.

Why it matters: - The benefit raises money for Duke Ellington School of the Arts’ permanent endowment, which is meant to create steady support for arts training, productions and student opportunities. - Proceeds will also support the Donal Leace Endowment for the Theater Department, helping fund theater instruction and performance opportunities for future students. - The fundraiser lands during DESA’s 50th anniversary year, giving the school a high-profile push for long-term sustainability.

What happened: - Dave Chappelle, a DESA alumnus, announced he will perform a benefit for his alma mater on Friday, Sept. 25, 2026, at DAR Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C. - The event follows a series of DESA fundraising events on Martha’s Vineyard in August featuring Chappelle, alumnus Lamman Rucker and DJ D-Nice. - Resorts World New York City supported the August events as title sponsor. - General onsale tickets are available through Live Nation. - Event information is available through the fundraiser page.

The details: - The Donal Leace Endowment is named for the late theater chair who taught theater history, public speaking and the Harlem Renaissance at Ellington. - Donal Leace mentored students including Chappelle and opera singer Denyce Graves. - The endowment supports theater instruction, productions and performance opportunities. - DESA says the anniversary campaign also helps provide arts education, mentorship, wellness resources, technology and professional opportunities. - Bridge to Bold International is joining The Ellington Fund to help raise money for the permanent endowment. - The collaboration is aimed at expanding access to theater instruction and arts education. - Sponsorship and contribution inquiries go to Veronica Martin at Benefits@ellingtonarts.org. - The events are phone-free experiences. - Pilot Boy Productions, Inc. and/or Dave Chappelle retain rights to the content and materials delivered during the performance.

Between the lines: - The fundraiser ties a celebrity homecoming to a broader campaign to strengthen one of Washington’s best-known public arts schools. - The push reflects a familiar challenge for arts schools: public funding covers academics, but not always the specialized training that defines the program. - DESA is using its 50th anniversary to frame fundraising as both celebration and infrastructure-building.

What's next: - DESA will continue its anniversary campaign to grow the permanent endowment. - Supporters who cannot attend can still contribute to the school’s fundraising efforts. - The school says additional gifts will help sustain arts education and student programming for future generations.

The bottom line: - Chappelle’s return gives DESA a marquee fundraiser at a pivotal moment, with the school using its 50th anniversary to push for lasting financial support for arts training.