Welcome to the College of the Arts Spring 2025 Season. As we come together to enjoy incredible art, dance, music and theatre programming from across the college, I know we are all still reeling from the recent fires that tore through the communities of Altadena and Pacific Palisades.
In many ways, we are all Angelenos and when our city breaks, we all break. Many of our students, faculty, and staff are finding comfort in processing complex thoughts and emotions the only way we know how: through the arts. It is our calling and what ties us to our community. Through our programming, we hope to provide a bit of respite to all of you during this time of regrouping and rebuilding.

    In the College of the Arts, every note, every movement, and every word spoken on stage brings opportunity for discovery and connection. Whether you are a fellow Titan, family member, or community supporter, we are thrilled to have you here. You are now part of something much larger than this single performance. You are joining a vibrant and diverse collective of artists and technicians working together to push the boundaries of their craft.

    Spring 2025 brings us a season of fresh programming to challenge our perceptions and immerse us in new perspectives. Later this month, the School of Music presents “Hajar ,” a contemporary opera synthesizing ancient Jewish and Islamic stories into a modern immigration tale. Theatre begins their season with “Significant Other ,” a heartfelt tale of love and longing in 21^st century New York City. If you haven’t yet seen our spectacular new gallery building, make time to see “Chris O’Leary: Gravity Well ” – an exploration of the cosmic phenomena of gravitational waves using video, sound, and images. In May, our dancers and choreographers return to the intimate Hallberg Theatre in “Spring Dance Theatre: From All Sides ,” where viewers will experience a variety of dance forms from every angle of the stage.

     It takes more than just the emotional support of friends, family, professors, and mentors to enable students to take creative risks of expression. As a college, we remain committed to providing these aspiring arts professionals with scholarships, financial assistance, and the industry-ready equipment, facilities, and opportunities to further develop their skills outside the classroom. Our resolve is steadfast, but we need your continued support to sustain and expand our educational mission, ensuring our students have the tools necessary to succeed. Please consider a donation of any amount to the Dean’s Fund for Excellence today.

    I thank you for being here, for your ongoing support, and for your conviction in the power of the arts. Together, we can accomplish
the extraordinary.

Sincerely,

Arnold Holland, Ed.D
Dean, College of the Arts