Students at Detroit Country Day School in Beverly Hills will have access to the same tools and technology used by Hollywood filmmakers as part of a state-of-the-art new creative center to be built with a $2 million gift from Danialle and Peter Karmanos Jr.
The center will feature an immersive podcast studio, a curved Stagecraft LED wall, a multimedia creation space, and a STEAM innovation center.
The facility will be housed within an existing space to be completely reimagined at the Upper School 9-12 campus, located at the southwest corner of 13 Mile and Lahser roads. Overall, Detroit Country Day has its Middle School and Upper School in Beverly Hills, while the Lower School is located along Maple Road in Bloomfield Township.
“We are so grateful to Danialle and Peter Karmanos, Jr. for this incredible gift. It will give our students opportunities that no other high school students in the nation have and put DCDS on the map as one of the top schools for film, video and digital media in the country,” says Brett Salamin, a film teacher.
The news comes as students at the school premiered “Learning Curve” on April 12 at the Emagine Theater in Novi, the school’s first full-length film. It was written, created, and produced by DCDS students and directed by Andrew Weir, ’24.
Next year, many of these same students will be able to transport actors anywhere in the world and create virtual scenes due to the Stagecraft wall, which is the same equipment and technology used to shoot the Star Wars “Mandalorian” series that’s available on Disney+.
The new center is designed to be used by all students and faculty from preschool through 12th grade. The podcast studio will allow teachers and students to bring stories of history, literature, and science to life — and share their expertise with wide audiences.
The facility also will offer students the opportunity to master the tools of the digital age in a hands-on, real-world studio. Finally, combining this space with a world-class innovation center means the power of creation and STEAM will blend seamlessly.
“I am thrilled to support Detroit Country Day School in this endeavor because I believe in the unlimited talent and capabilities of students and the exceptional dedication and expertise of the DCDS faculty,” says Danialle Karmanos.
“By providing them with access to state-of-the-art facilities and resources, we are empowering students to explore their creativity, follow their passions, and chart their own paths to success. I have seen firsthand the transformative impact of education, and I am confident that this gift will enable students to unlock their full potential and thrive in an ever-evolving world.”
Detroit Country Day Head of School Rich Dempsey says, “This gift is more than an investment in infrastructure; it is an investment in the limitless potential of our students. It is a testament to the power of philanthropy to drive positive change and create opportunities for generations to come.”
This creative center will serve as a hub for imaginative exploration, fostering a culture of innovation where students can bring their boldest ideas to life.
When completed for use in the Fall of 2024, the creative center will provide students with an unparalleled experience that will grant them a competitive edge in college and their future careers. It also will allow students to amplify their voices, share their stories, and engage with audiences far beyond campus.
Peter Karmanos Jr. was a co-founder and past CEO and chairman of Compuware Corp., and today is co-founder and chairman of Mad Dog Technology in downtown Birmingham.
Danialle Karmanos has a journalism degree and is a trustee at Detroit Country Day School and at the College for Creative Studies in Detroit. She hosted the Karma Has Spoken podcast, was a columnist and an award-winning video producer for 10 years, and was past chair of MOCAD.
For a video preview of the new film studio at Detroit Country Day, visit here.
For more information about Detroit Country Day School, visit dcds.edu/.
