Tag Archive for "department of theatre" - College of Performing Arts

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

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

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.

The Curtain Closes on a Fulfilling Career Bonita “Bonnie” Walker retires after 32 years of service at Chapman University

July 16, 2020 by Jean Taber | CoPA News

The College of Performing Arts recently bid farewell to a beloved and long-serving staff member as Bonita “Bonnie” Walker retired after 32 years of service at Chapman University. “Bonnie has been a fixture of the theatre department and CoPA for a long time, and I have really appreciated her unflagging dedication to our students, who

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

CoPA welcomes Nick Gabriel to Department of Theatre

May 8, 2017 by Jean Taber | CoPA News

The College of Performing Arts announces the addition of Nick Gabriel as a full-time tenure-track faculty to the Department of Theatre. As a resident artist at the American Conservatory Theater and Director of Studio A.C.T., Professor Gabriel also serves on the associate faculty of A.C.T.’s Master of Fine Arts program. “I am extremely excited about