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Top 2025 Celebrity Moments at Chapman University
Chapman University has welcomed an impressive roster of celebrities and industry icons in 2025, from Hollywood stars and musical superstars to influential public figures. Whether delivering inspiring talks, headlining campus events or making surprise appearances, these moments have left a lasting impression on the Chapman community.
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Chapman says “yes, chef” to Jeremy Allen White
You don’t star in an 11-season show right out of high school without knowing you’ve got chops and being serious about your craft, and that’s exactly what Emmy-winning actor Jeremy Allen White did. Before appearing on the comedy-drama series “Shameless,” White studied theater throughout middle and high school. Acting was his chosen art form after
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At Chapman, Film Students Get an Agent Before They Graduate
Joe Rosenberg spent 25 years as an agent—the last 10 at Creative Artists Agency (CAA)—representing directors like Ridley Scott and David Fincher. Now he gives the treatment once reserved for Hollywood’s elite to students at Chapman University’s Dodge College of Film and Media Arts, connecting them with internships, jobs, and industry access before they graduate.
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How ‘Hotel Rwanda’ sparked Don Cheadle’s activism
“If you guys can have a low expectation for excellence and a high tolerance for crap, you’re going to be great.” Those were Don Cheadle’s words during his masterclass at the Dodge College of Film and Media Arts on Oct. 27. His expectations for excellence led Cheadle to the Oscar-nominated “Hotel Rwanda,” as he told
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Dwayne Johnson and The Rock-y road to stardom
Dodge College of Film and Media Arts just held one of their most high-profile masterclasses ever. Students could be seen camping out in front of the school as early as 8 p.m. the night before to hear insight from none other than Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, one of the world’s highest-grossing actors.
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Hustle, heart and filmmaking: An evening with Spike Lee
There are few masterclass guests who are jumping from their seats with excitement to speak to students. Spike Lee is one of them. His passion was in your face, an extension of the bold, unapologetic voice that has defined his career and made him one of the most influential directors in American cinema.Lee commanded the
Fake Blood, Sweat and Tears
It was a horrific way to start a career in Hollywood — until it wasn’t. In 2023, less than a year after landing their first post-graduation jobs in the entertainment industry, Joe Martinez-Weinberger ’22 and Cal State Dominguez Hills graduate David Clark were let go from their positions at Verve Talent Literary Agency. Casualties of
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Billy Ray’s advice to screenwriters? Work for everything
Over the last week, students in Dodge College spent two days doing screenplay workshops and attending the master class of Billy Ray, the screenwriter of the global blockbuster “The Hunger Games.” We all know the industry can be unpredictable and often unforgiving, but according to Billy Ray, one thing always stays in your control: how
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Jennifer Concepcion ’21 recognized for volunteerism and service
Jennifer Concepcion ’21 received the Outstanding Alumni Service Award at Chapman’s 2025 Volunteer Recognition Event on Tuesday, Sept. 9, honoring her extraordinary work building Dodge Next Gen, Dodge College’s alumni mentorship program for graduating seniors. What began in 2023 as Concepcion’s idea has become an initiative connecting students with alumni leaders at Netflix, CAA, DreamWorks,
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Dodge College alumni return to discuss film festival darling ‘Twinless’
James Sweeney ’12, who wrote, directed and starred in the Sundance Film Festival Audience Award-winning film “Twinless,” brought his film back to his alma mater on Tuesday, Sept. 9. Along with cinematographer Greg Cotten ’12, Sweeney sat down with Professor Travis Knox for a freewheeling conversation in the Folino following the film’s screening.
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Dodge College’s most famous alumni return with buckets of advice
Having achieved critical acclaim and celebrity status from their hit Netflix series “Stranger Things,” Matt and Ross Duffer ’07, now legendary alumni of Dodge College of Film and Media Arts, returned to their alma mater on Aug. 22 as part of the college’s Master Class series and were interviewed by Michael Kowalski, their former professor.
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Sitcom star Janelle James brings humor and honesty to Chapman
It was no surprise that on Aug. 20, Dodge College’s Folino Theater erupted in laughter throughout the first Master Class of the year, as four-time Emmy-nominated actress Janelle James worked the room like one of her comedy sets. Known for her role as Ava Coleman on “Abbott Elementary.” James spoke with The Hollywood Reporter’s Scott