00:00Dave Chappelle has decided against having his name attached to a new performing arts theater at his
00:05old high school following student backlash at his controversial Netflix comedy special.
00:10Closer. This episode of THR News is brought to you by Netflix's Squid Game.
00:15Chappelle made the announcement at the theater dedication ceremony Monday.
00:20Night at his alma mater, the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, D.C.
00:24The event had been
00:25delayed since November after students at the school criticized the comedian for the closer,
00:29which featured
00:30a number of jokes that have been widely criticized as transphobic.
00:33At the dedication ceremony,
00:35Chappelle directly addressed the topic and reportedly said,
00:37no matter what they say about the closer, it is still
00:40one of the most watched specials on Netflix. Speaking to the student backlash, Chappelle said,
00:45these kids didn't understand that they were instruments of artistic oppression. He added,
00:49the more you say
00:50I can't say something, the more urgent it is for me to say it. During the ceremony, Chappelle said,
00:55rather than his name, the venue will now be called the theater for artistic freedom and expression.
01:00After the initial backlash, it was reported that Chappelle returned to the school to discuss the
01:05controversy around his special with a student body. Politico reported at the time that the comedian was met
01:10by a frosty reception, was accused of endangering trans lives and told that he was handling
01:15the storm of criticism like a child. For more on the story, head to THR.com.
01:20And for the latest entertainment news and updates, keep watching The Hollywood Reporter News.
01:25The Hollywood Reporter News.
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