Recent CoPA Graduate Ariya Selvakumar Assists with Center Theatre Group's Production of American Idiot
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Three Opera Chapman Productions Nominated for American Prize Contest
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