Welcome
to the College of Performing Arts, the cultural and aesthetic center of Chapman
University. It is hard to believe the College of Performing Arts has only
been in existence for five years because so much has been accomplished.
Most significantly, theatre, music and dance have received national
accreditation, making the College of Performing Arts one of a handful of
schools in the nation with this rare distinction.
Students participating in our programs quickly learn this is a unique place. There is a vibrant atmosphere that combines abundant possibilities for scholarship, creativity, free expression and intellectual curiosity through curricular offerings and cultural events.
The College of Performing Arts faculty members represent a group of consummate professionals helping students reach their dreams and aspirations, whether they are pianists, ballet dancers, stage or screen actors, composers, opera singers, theatre historians, hip-hop dancers, music educators, stage directors or students of any one of the numerous programs the college offers. When you look over the College of Performing Arts alumni web pages, you will see the training provided to our students in theatre, music and dance has led to rich and varied careers in the performing arts. Chapman University has received recognition as one of the most trusted brands in Orange County by reliably preparing our students for life after college.
As a college, we have celebrated many “firsts” during the past five years, such as the new screen acting degree in partnership with Dodge College of Film and Media Arts, the first of its kind in the country; a new exciting partnership with Cirque du Soleil for technical theatre; and copious productions of original plays, compositions and choreography. Our faculty members are connected to numerous professional organizations, providing excellent educational and networking opportunities for our students.
There are many new projects on the horizon for the College of Performing Arts, and as Dean I am eager to help them take off and see them come to fruition. I hope you will take advantage of all the possibilities the college has to offer by attending one of our numerous performances and/or by enrolling in one of our successful degree programs. Whether you are a current student, future student, alumni, parent, audience member, Fund for Excellence donor or any part the of the College of Performing Arts family, I trust your experience with the College of Performing Arts will be unmatched.
Dale A. Merrill
Dean, College of Performing Arts
