Theatre 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 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

Three Opera Chapman Productions Nominated for American Prize Contest Productions of Fright Night!, From the Towers of the Moon, and Il sogno di Scipione have all been named as finalists for this year’s American Prize for Opera Companies

May 22, 2025 by Zoe Braggs | CoPA News

Three of CoPA’s productions this season have been honored as national finalists for The American Prize in Opera Performance. Along with this, Director of Opera Chapman, Marc Callhan, has been named a finalist for the Charles Nelson Reilly Prize for Stage Directors for Fright Night! The American Prize National Nonprofit Competitions in the Performing

CoPA Named as a Top Performing Arts School Chapman University's College of Performing Arts ranks #3 in California and #11 nationwide

May 21, 2025 by Sydney Paik | CoPA News

According to collegefactual.com, CoPA ranks #3 among California schools for performing arts and #11 among the entire country! The individual dance, music, and theatre programs also rank highly, as reported by the same source. Theatre: #2 in CA, #11 in USA Department of Theatre students gain real-world experience from working onstage and backstage with industry

Kennedy Kemmerer directs “The Yellow Boat” Department of Theatre kicks off April with the Student-Directed One-Act!

April 5, 2023 by Jason Glidden | Theatre

This semester’s student director is senior Kennedy Kemmerer. Kennedy is a double major in Theatre Studies, with a Directing/Performance emphasis, and Business Administration. For this year’s one-act she chose The Yellow Boat written by David Saar. We interviewed Kennedy to get a better understanding of her experience at Chapman and her directorial process. The Director

College of Performing Arts Welcomes New Faculty

August 22, 2022 by Jean Taber | CoPA News

Dean Giulio Ongaro of the College of Performing Arts has announced the addition of several new faculty this semester. “We are very excited to introduce an exceptional group of new faculty of distinction,” he said. “Headed by the internationally renowned choreographer Dwight Rhoden, who joins us just as we are opening the new spectacular Sandi