CoPA News Archives | College of Performing Arts Archive

Opera Chapman Receives Prestigious National Awards for 2024–2025 Productions Productions of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, Fright Night!, From the Towers of the Moon, and Il sogno di Scipione earn top honors in major national competitions.

December 10, 2025 by Sydney Paik | CoPA News

Congratulations to Opera Chapman for its outstanding achievements in prestigious national competitions across the United States. These honors not only highlight the strength of the program, but also affirm, as Opera Chapman Director Marc Callahan notes, “the care, imagination, and discipline that went into each production—and the collaborative spirit that runs through the Conservatory and

Chapman Dancers Open for Complexions Contemporary Ballet in New York City Eight students embraced themselves in an elite creative process with renowned choreographer Dwight Rhoden, strengthened their community, and exemplified how Chapman’s training prepares artists for the world stage.

December 9, 2025 by Zoe Braggs | CoPA News

Eight Chapman dancers received the special opportunity to open for the world-renowned Complexions Contemporary Ballet at the iconic Joyce Theater in New York City. This journey began with an audition in the spring semester, continued into rehearsals throughout the fall, and concluded with performances at both the Musco Center for the Arts and the Joyce

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

Celebrating Faculty Excellence: Music Professor Dr. Nicholas Terry and His Ensembles Receive Prestigious Awards From award-winning projects to new music releases, CoPA faculty continue to make their mark on a national level.

October 20, 2025 by Sydney Paik | CoPA News

The College of Performing Arts is proud to celebrate the recent achievements of Music professor and Director of Percussion Studies Dr. Nicholas Terry, whose leadership in music continues to shine on local and national stages. Brightwork Ensemble, a musical project that Dr. Terry helped establish 12 years ago, is a regular performer at Monk Space,

CoPA Theatre Student Brings Love for Performance to Life at Disneyland Theatre Performance student Tehani Kekuawela blends her heritage, passion, and talent on one of the world’s most magical stages.

October 16, 2025 by Sydney Paik | CoPA News

We had the opportunity to chat with current sophomore Tehani Kekuawela (BFA Theatre Performance, Anthropology minor), who balances her time between classes at Chapman and performing as a cast member at Disneyland. She shared with us how her cultural roots inspire her passion for performance and future goals. This interview has been edited and condensed.

CoPA Professor John Benitz’s Documentary “Behind the Lines” Wins International Acclaim Theatre and Screen Acting professor John Benitz’s documentary, based on a campus-born stage play, earns top honors and garners international media attention

October 2, 2025 by Sydney Paik | CoPA News

We’re thrilled to celebrate the success of Behind the Lines, a powerful documentary directed by John Benitz, a professor in CoPA’s Theatre department. The film was recently awarded Best Documentary at the Croatia International Film Festival, a momentous achievement for a project that originated right here at Chapman. The documentary—narrated by Annette Bening and featuring

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