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When faced with a $500,000 budget shortfall, the Duke Ellington School of the Arts relied on talent from within and outside the school community to preserve arts programming. The successful production of Dreamgirls in December raised $400,000, netting $250,000 and ensured the future employment of two departments of arts teachers.
With less funding than expected coming from the District this year thanks to D.C.-wide budget constraints, the only public high school in Georgetown faced a $500,000 budget shortfall. In jobs, it meant as many as ten full-time staff members - the equivalent of two entire departments - could be let go.
When Head of School Rory Pullens realized in spring 2010 he faced this unexpected shortfall in funds for the 2010-2011 school year, he could not bring himself to make cuts to the art staff that make Duke Ellington a school of the arts. Instead he decided, "You know what? We're artists and we can find a creative resolution and solution."
And so he and a dedicated group of professional artists and teachers set in motion the force that would be Dreamgirls at Ellington. Students got the leads, learned their lines, practiced the score, built the sets and sold tickets.
In the weeks before the production, students rehearsed from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., with over 150 students involved. Dreamgirls required 300 lights, some 350 costumes and over 100 wigs.
The show was a smashing success, wowing audiences and reminding Georgetowners of a school brimming with top-notch talent in its midst.
To build on its momentum, the school is now presenting the 40th Anniversary concert celebration of Earth Wind & Fire on Feb. 24 at 7:30pm at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. The concert will benefit the school and help fill the remaining gap in the budget.
"With over $250,000 in net Dreamgirls profits and a successful upcoming EWF [Earth, Wind & Fire] concert, we are not looking at making any staff cuts this year. And that is very good news," said Pullens.
VIP tickets for Earth, Wind & Fire are immediately available for $500 and come in pairs at the $1,000 sponsorship level at the office of the Ellington Fund. Benefit sponsorship packages are available from $1000 to $50,000, email info@ellingtonarts.org. General ticket sales will be available starting Friday, Jan. 21 at the Kennedy Center Box Office or at www.kennedy-center.org from $50 to $250.
Source : http://georgetown.patch.com
