LMU College of Communication and Fine Arts

“The Comedy of Errors” is what happens when two pairs of identical twins separated at birth show up in the same city on the same day. Sounds like a 70s sitcom, right?

This high-spirited production features standout performances by Joshua Jiang ’27 ( Antipholus of Ephesus), Andrew Solari ’25 (Dromio of Syracuse), Ethan Mullen ’26 (Dromio of Ephesus), and Carlo Dimayuga ’25 (Antipholus of Syracuse).

🎭 8pm, June 11-13
📍 LMU's Drollinger Family Stage
🔗 Click here to RSVP: https://bit.ly/4e229aJ

Productions are FREE. Get ready for laugh tracks and wacky neighbors as confusion and hilarity ensue in a production that is fun for the whole family.

Join us at Drollinger Family Stage in Lawton Plaza for our ninth season of Shakespeare on the Bluff, featuring free performances of “The Comedy of Errors” June 11-13 and “Hamlet” July 9-11. We can't wait to see you there!

📍 Drollinger Family Stage, Lawton Plaza
⏰ Doors open at 6pm, shows start at 8pm
⭐ RSVP: https://bit.ly/3IOKJ1c

🎭 The LMU Theatre Department continues to elevate student voices through its annual New Works Festival. This year, they showcased 10 original plays written and directed by students.

From explorations of identity and multiculturalism to themes of grief, mental health, and social justice, the productions reflect the issues that matter most to emerging storytellers. The festival not only highlights creative talent but also fosters collaboration and community among student artists.

Read more about the 2026 showcase: https://bit.ly/3P3YWxQ

Join us in celebrating the incredible artists featured in Young Contemporaries 2026, the Laband Art Gallery’s 42nd Annual Juried Student Exhibition! 🎉

Each year, this exhibition showcases outstanding work by students across a wide range of media—from painting and photography to sculpture, graphic design, and beyond. Juried by contemporary art professionals Vicki Phung Smith and Cara Megan Lewis, the 2026 show offered students an important professional exhibition experience while celebrating emerging creative voices.

Special congratulations to our award-winning artists:

⭐ Jurors’ First Prize: "Consumed, Unseen" by Sophia Chavez ’26
⭐ Jurors’ Second Prize: "Untitled (Don’t Go For My Legs)" by Olivia Tiano ’26
⭐ Jurors’ Third Prize: "Walking By" by Karissa Smith '29

Jurors’ Honorable Mentions:
⭐ “Surrounding Sites” by Chloe Gilabert '26
⭐ “Ode to Los Angelenos” by Krystal Nava '26
⭐ “Kinesis” by Georgia Evensen '26

Grace K. Swanson Painting Awards (2026):
⭐ "Untitled" by Maryam Ali ’29
⭐ "My Girlfriend’s CRV" Lily Baehr ’27

Laband Director’s Prize:
⭐ “Ode to Los Angelenos” by Krystal Nava '26

💻 Celebrating Sophia Isabella Chavez '26, a visual communication design major.

Sophia made her mark across campus as Social Media Chair for the Latinx Student Union and as a graphic designer for Mane Entertainment and the William H. Hannon Library, blending design with storytelling and community impact.

Her exceptional work has been recognized with numerous honors, including the Program Scholar Award in Art & Design (BFA), Jurors’ 1st Prize for Young Contemporaries 2026, Outstanding Scholar in Studio Arts (BFA), Scholar of Distinction (Graphic Design), the AIGA Los Angeles 2025 Student Scholarship, and consistent placement on the Dean’s List (2022–2026)—a testament to her talent, dedication, and creative vision.

Sophia’s experience at LMU has been shaped by a mindset of curiosity, persistence, and trust in the creative process, pushing through challenges and continuing to evolve as a designer while staying grounded in purpose and identity.

Post‑graduation, Sophia is pursuing a full‑time graphic design role in branding or creative marketing, with hopes of working in Los Angeles, San Francisco, or New York. Congratulations, Sophia. We can't wait to see how your journey unfolds beyond the Bluff! 🦁🎓🎉

✨Celebrating Sarah Palumbis ’26, a dance major who recently signed with MSA to pursue a career in commercial dance.

Sarah was actively involved in NDEO Dance Honors, danced with Kuumba Dance Crew, and served as the Equitable Commercial Dance Coordinator.

Beyond campus, Sarah worked to build her professional path—performing in showcases, working and dancing with LUME Collective, and training throughout Los Angeles in a range of commercial dance styles, strengthening both her versatility and industry presence.

Grounded in connection and fueled by a passion for growth, Sarah carries forward the relationships and experiences that shaped her journey as she steps into this next chapter. Congratulations, Sarah, on an exciting future in dance. 🦁🎓🎉

🎓🎨 Celebrating Natasha Daniels '26, proud member of the Iñupiaq of Utqiaġvik and Choctaw of Oklahoma Nation tribes, who earned her Master’s in Marital and Family Therapy with a Specialization in Art Therapy.

During her time at LMU, Natasha served as the 2024–2025 Student Art Therapy Association Representative and showcased her work in multiple student exhibitions in the Thomas P. Kelly Student Art Gallery. She was also recognized as a 2026 Helen B. Landgarten Scholar, Mission Integration Graduate Research and Creative Projects Scholarship recipient, and Graduate Library Research Group Award recipient, and presented her work at the 2026 GSLMU Grad Summit. Her group research thesis, "PhotoStory Reflections: Exploring Mental Health, Loss, and Community Healing after the Eaton Fire," highlights the power of art‑based approaches in navigating grief and fostering resilience.

Natasha’s LMU experience was shaped by a strong, supportive creative community that inspired her to continue uplifting others through her work. Her practice reflects a belief in the power of empathy and artistic expression to build connection and support those in need.

After graduation, Natasha will travel to Paris, Amsterdam, and Berlin for artistic and cultural exploration before continuing her work in the community mental health field, carrying forward her passion for creative healing and collective care.

Congratulations, Natasha, on a journey grounded in artistry, compassion, and meaningful impact. 🦁🎓🎉

🎤 🎵 Celebrating Julia Sawtell '26, a music major with a concentration in vocal performance with minor in business administration.

Julia was involved in LMU Choirs, singing with the Consort Singers and serving as President of the choir’s student e‑board, where she helped lead and strengthen the choral community. Through the Sinatra Opera Workshop, she brought unforgettable performances to life, appearing as Belinda in Dido and Aeneas, Maguelonne in Cendrillon, and both Pamina and First Lady in The Magic Flute. Beyond music, Julia was also involved in Kappa Alpha Theta and The Women’s Network.

Her excellence has been recognized with the Music Program Scholar distinction and the Richard Trame, S.J. Award, and through participation in the Frost School of Music Patti & Allan Herbert Program in Salzburg. Julia’s voice has helped LMU celebrate milestones, performing the national anthem at the 2025 graduate commencement and the 2026 undergraduate commencement.

Julia is currently teaching voice, growing her roster of students, auditioning for local operas and musicals, and preparing to release her full‑length cover album, "Because of You"—a tribute to her favorite artists from the 1960s–70s. In the future, she plans to apply for Master’s programs in vocal performance as she continues to pursue performing.

We can’t wait to stream your new album, Julia! Congratulations! 🦁🎓🎉

🎶🥁 Celebrating Tommy Robinson '26, a music major with a minor in political science.

Tommy was actively involved across the music community, performing with the LMU Percussion Ensemble, String Ensemble, Chamber Ensemble, and Sinatra Opera Workshop, while also composing and performing for student film scores and working as a session musician on original student albums.

Beyond performance, Tommy contributed as a student representative on Department of Music and Political Science faculty search committees; he was a political science research assistant (Data Analysis), a music theory tutor, and a music coach for high schools across Southern California. His experience reflects a passion for mentorship, collaboration, and building meaningful creative connections across disciplines.

This summer, Tommy will perform in his “age‑out” season with the 21‑time World Champion Blue Devils Drum and Bugle Corps, touring nationally as a marimba player. Following the season, he plans to pursue a Master’s in Percussion Performance and earn a teaching credential, with the goal of continuing his work as a percussion educator while building a career in professional performance and composition.

Tommy leaves LMU with a network of collaborators and a shared drive to create art that fosters connection and purpose. Congratulations, Tommy, on an incredible journey and the exciting rhythms ahead. 🦁🎓🎉