Dave Chappelle Decides Against Having His Name on His High School Theater After Backlash

Dave Chappelle has refused to have his name attached to a new performing arts theater at his old high school after student backlash to his comedy special The Closer.

According to a report from the Washington Post on Monday (June 20), the 48-year-old comedian announced his decision at the theater dedication ceremony Monday night at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts, in Washington D.C.

The event had been delayed since November, when students voiced their criticisms about having a space named after Dave in the wake of his controversial special, which has been criticized for containing a number of transphobic jokes.

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At the ceremony, Dave addressed the situation and shared that he was “hurt” by the backlash. He also added, per HuffPo editor Philip Lewis, “No matter what they say about The Closer, it is still [one of the] most-watched specials on Netflix,” adding that it was a “masterpiece.”

Dave also reportedly described himself as “maybe a once in a lifetime talent” and said of the controversy, “these kids didn’t understand that they were instruments of artistic oppression.”

He added, “The more you say I can’t say something, the more urgent it is for me to say it.”

Instead of featuring his name, Dave said the venue will be called the Theater for Artistic Freedom and Expression.

Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos recently discussed the streamer’s decision to support Dave amidst the backlash.