Student News Archives | College of Performing Arts Archive

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 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

A Midsummer Night’s Dream: gender roles and pandemic woes A student dramaturg's perspective

October 29, 2021 by Nikki Trippler | CoPA News

Once upon a time, there was a young man born in a small town called Stratford-upon-Avon. He grew up and wrote a play called A Midsummer Night’s Dream which became one of the most-produced and beloved plays of the European/American theatrical canon. William Shakespeare’s work has captivated the heart, body, and soul of audiences, drawing

CoPA Student and Alumni Share Career Path Stories

August 25, 2020 by Emma Trammell | Alumni

Knowing your passions and talents is one thing, but knowing how to craft a career path can be quite another! Luckily, CoPA students have access to plenty of support from their faculty as well as the CoPA Career Advisor. It can also be helpful to see examples of career paths from other students and alumni.

College of Performing Arts Scholar Awards Announced

May 11, 2020 by Heather Girten | CoPA News

Chapman University College of Performing Arts announced its scholar awards for the 2019/2020 academic year via virtual awards galas in each department. Please join us in congratulating the awards recipients. Hall-Musco Conservatory of Music The recipient of the Conservatory of Music Award, given in recognition of outstanding achievements in the areas of performance, academics, and