CoPA Career News Archives | College of Performing Arts Archive

Recent CoPA Graduate Ariya Selvakumar Assists with Center Theatre Group’s Production of American Idiot Ariya Selvakumar's experiences and education at Chapman University have prepared her for diverse career opportunities, from projection design to performance.

November 3, 2025 by Jessie Levasheff | CoPA News

Ariya Selvakumar (BA Theatre, Psychology minor), a Chapman University College of Performing Arts (CoPA) graduate in the class of 2024, continues to display Chapman’s values as she pursues her passions in the performing arts. Recently, Ariya had the opportunity to apprentice and assist with the projection design for Center Theatre Group’s production of Green Day’s

CoPA Alumna Kavita Rao’s Multifaceted Career in the Arts Dancer, choreographer, educator, and entrepreneur, Kavita Rao credits Chapman’s community and curriculum for helping her navigate the ever-changing arts industry.

October 21, 2025 by Zoe Braggs | CoPA News

Alumna Kavita Rao (‘05) studied Dance and Communications with a PR emphasis and continues to use the skills she learned at Chapman University in her career as a professional dancer, choreographer, educator, artistic director, and business owner today. Kavita has experienced many professional evolutions throughout her career. After graduating from Chapman in 2005, she used

CoPA Theatre BA student expands her summer research into Senior Thesis Karli Lonnquist’s experience as a Summer Undergraduate Research Fellow

September 10, 2025 by Zoe Braggs | CoPA News

Theatre BA, Karli Jean Lonnquist, spent her summer as a Summer Undergraduate Research Fellow at Chapman’s Center for Undergraduate Excellence. In her exploration of how contemporary adaptations of historical plays help modern audiences respond to conflict, she developed a dual practice-as-research and qualitative methodology. Karli’s eight-week fellowship program included researching the process of theatrical adaptation

Screen Acting Grads Land Talent Representation After Showcase Several of CoPA’s Screen Acting class of ‘25 obtain representation shortly after industry showcase.

September 8, 2025 by Sydney Paik | CoPA News

Within three weeks after their Industry Showcase on May 7, nine graduating seniors from the Screen Acting Class of 2025 have secured professional representation—a remarkable achievement as they take their first steps into the entertainment industry. This exciting milestone reflects not only the talent and dedication of these emerging actors, but also the support and

CoPA student Logyn Okuda works with acclaimed film composer Michael Giacchino on scoring major motion pictures Orchestrating and assisting on Marvel's "The Fantastic Four: First Steps" has taught Logyn about the music film industry and his professional goals

September 3, 2025 by Zoe Braggs | CoPA News

Before he even leaves the walls of Chapman, Logyn Okuda is working up quite the professional résumé for a career in music. Logyn is on a fast track to meet his goals of writing music for film and TV, combining his studies in the College of Performing Arts and Dodge College of Film and Media

CoPA Student and Alumnus Awarded Leatherby Libraries Research Prizes Mentee/mentor pair, Megan Lewandowski and Connor Bogenreif, are awarded for their impressive use of the Chapman library’s resources.

May 19, 2025 by Zoe Braggs | CoPA News

Megan Lewandowski, a CoPA student double majoring in Music & Psychology, and Connor Bogenreif, a CoPA alumnus, staff member, faculty member, and Chapman doctoral student, have each won a Leatherby Libraries research prize! Both Megan and Connor participated in The Panther Network Mentoring program this semester, which brings together alumni with current students, and they

CoPA Alumnus William Lü Launches Dance Film Workshop in Taiwan Designed primarily for college students and aspiring professionals, attendees will have the opportunity to connect with accomplished Taiwanese dance curators and filmmakers.

May 14, 2025 by Zoe Braggs | CoPA News

College of Performing Arts graduate William Lü will collaborate with talented Taiwanese filmmaker, Grace Peng, to establish a dance film workshop in Taipei, Taiwan, this summer. Chapman students have the opportunity to receive scholarships to attend this unique workshop. The duo will host a one-week workshop designed primarily for college students and aspiring professionals. The

Chapman CoPA Student, Bella Murrieta, at 2025 CineVox Dance Film Festival Bella Murrieta represented Chapman University's College of Performing Arts and Dodge College of Film and Media Arts at the CineVox Dance Film Festival 2025, where she shared her film "again&again," which was performed and produced entirely by Chapman students.

May 14, 2025 by Jessie Levasheff | CoPA News

“I’ve spent so much time working on it, why would I keep it to myself? I made this for a reason.” This sentiment inspired Bella Murrieta, a senior College of Performing Arts student studying Dance and Public Relations & Advertising, to submit her work to the CineVox Dance Film Festival in Portland,

3 Chapman Alumni To Sing at the Metropolitan Opera Next Season Duke Kim ('15), Efraim Solis (‘11), Ben Bliss (‘08) continue to thrive in their professional careers.

April 7, 2025 by Zoe Braggs | CoPA News

Three Chapman Alumni will perform in the Metropolitan Opera’s upcoming 2025-2026 season. Duke Kim, Efraim Solis, and Ben Bliss are professional working musicians, who frequently return to campus for recitals, masterclasses, and performances, generously giving back to the community where they grew their roots. These College of Performing Arts graduates continuously show gratitude toward their teachers