When the students of Hell’s Kitchen’s Professional Performing Arts School (PPAS) — a public school that counts stars like Alicia Keys, Jeremy Allen White, Claire Danes, Britney Spears and Jesse Eisenberg as alums — heard that their beloved drama program was being canceled mid-year, they did what any scrappy, resourceful group of theater artists would do: leapt into action to save the show.
In just three days, not only has the PPAS community has managed to raise over $46,000 to save their renowned drama department through a widely-shared GoFundMe started by one of the school’s 7th graders, but Jay Z’s Roc Nation — the record company that manages PPAS alum and Hell’s Kitchen native Alicia Keys — has pledged $60,000 dollars towards keeping the footlights on until a permanent solution can be reached. Drama program administrators are now hoping that the school chooses to allocate the money to keep classes and shows going.
Program administrators Waterwell — an artistic training collective based in Hell’s Kitchen and co-founded by Succession’s Arian Moayed — were blindsided when the curtain suddenly came down after 13 years of managing PPAS’s rigorous conservatory-style training program at the middle and high school levels.
An email obtained by W42ST from Waterwell Director of Education Heather Lanza to PPAS parents and students stated that the organization was told by the school’s Principal Leah Dyer that the department would be receiving a 20% budget cut for the remainder of the 2023-2024 school year. Faced with a program deficit of at least $80,000, according to a Zoom meeting held by Principal Dyer for parents (Lanza asserts that the program deficit is instead missing $102,000), Waterwell classes were scheduled to end in April.
The Department of Education (DOE) countered that the decision to remove Waterwell was not due to budget cuts but as a result of the agency’s decision to seek a new program administrator.
“The school decision to move away from this provider was not related to budget cuts, in fact the program budget has not been reduced and the school has been in communication over several months with the provider about the possibility of parting ways,” DOE Press Secretary Jenna Lyle said. “A rigorous theater arts program continues to be a priority for PPAS, and dedicated staff will continue to support students in their drama education through the end of standard academic year program, which ends on April 30, while the school sources a new partner for the next academic year.” We have followed up with the DOE regarding Waterwell’s long-term future at the school and will update if we hear back.
“It is shocking to us to see misrepresentations in the media about how we have gotten to this unfortunate situation,” Waterwell representatives said in a statement. “We have read statements that said we were told about these cuts earlier in the year, that we changed our budget midyear, and that we knew from the school that they were looking for a new provider for these programs. All of this is categorically not true, and we are astounded that statements were made by the DOE that perpetuated such falsehoods.”
Their focus remains on the students who are hurt the most by this turn of events, they added. “Pulling the rug from under them this late in the year after all their hard work this past year is unfair and unnecessary.”
The Waterwell team said they were “profoundly moved” by the show of support from the PPAS community’s fundraising efforts, but added, “Even with the amazing intentions of our students, Waterwell cannot directly accept the funds as they are earmarked for the PPAS PTA. It will be up to the PTA and parent body of the school to decide how to channel those funds. Regardless, Waterwell is willing and ready to step back in and provide programming through the remainder of the year should those funds be made available to us to do so. It is Waterwell’s hope that in the coming weeks the funding can be restored, the program made whole, and the students able to continue their training.”
For parents, students and alums of PPAS on W48th Street between 8/9th Avenue, the news that the drama department may not close down before the end of the school year is a relief. The Roc Nation donation “is amazing news,” said Hell’s Kitchen parent Chrissy Collins, whose daughter Emma is a drama major at PPAS and was “completely heartbroken” to hear of the department’s financial woes.
“I have been at PPAS since 6th grade — and when I got in, it made me realize that my goal is actually going to come true,” said Emma. Waterwell is “an amazing program to work with our school,” she added, and the still looming threat of permanent cancellation “is not fair to the Drama students or teachers.”
Fellow drama major Valerie told W42ST that Waterwell’s relationship with PPAS was essential to their growth as professional performers. “Working with Waterwell makes us feel like what we are doing as actors is worth the time and energy,” she said. “We are taught to not just settle with the idea of working a 9-5 in an office straight out of high school, but strive for more… to strive for what truly makes us happy, no matter if it means being an actor, dancer, or even a lawyer if that’s what we choose. Every day we are inspired by the artists who teach us. The support we receive from them, even during this overwhelming time, is truly great and admirable. We are so grateful,” she added.
Alums of the program agree. Jeremy Allen White, fresh off an Award-winning season of FX’s The Bear, took to social media to highlight the importance of keeping the PPAS program alive. “It’s an incredible program with some incredible teachers,” wrote White. “Please help IF YOU ARE ABLE. I have donated.” Ariana DiLorenzo — a proud PPAS alum and popular singer-songwriter known as Ariana and the Rose — shared the fundraiser and told W42ST that the teachers and community she found at the school “are the reason that I am a performer today.” Going to PPAS “was a unique experience that shaped me as a performer and a person,” she added. “It’s a very special place.”
And while the Waterwell program still faces an uncertain future at PPAS, current students like Emma and Valerie hope that the momentum gained in the last few days will help them and generations to continue to receive a world-class theatrical education. “Being at PPAS has made us realize one thing,” they said. “It is worth pursuing your dreams, even if there are obstacles in your way.”
My son went to Midtown West, the elementary school that shares the building with PPAS and I can tell you that the biggest problem with NYC public schools is the DOE. A terrible organization. If it weren’t for the extremely active and supportive PTAs (I was Treasurer) the DOE would have destroyed these schools a long time ago. The reason for their success is the strong communities of kids, partents and teachers working together to make it a success.