Tag Archive for "College of Performing Arts"

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

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

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

Music Alum Olivia Mello (’20) Graduates from Yale Law School CoPA Grads Can Do it All

May 22, 2025 by Gabriela Gutierrez | CoPA News

CoPA grads go on to apply their skills in all types of fields, even law! Olivia Mello (’20) earned her BM in Piano Performance studying with Dr. Grace Fong, and she recently completed her studies at Yale Law School. Here’s what she has to say about her time at CoPa: “I’m so grateful for my