Robert HitchcockThis past weekend, Chapman University’s Sandi Simon Center for Dance stepped into the national spotlight when it was featured on America by Design on the CBS streaming platform. The episode showcased how the building’s design celebrates creativity, community, and movement at the heart of Chapman’s College of Performing Arts.
The production crew filmed on campus in May, spending a full day inside the dance center. Cameras captured classes in action while interviews with Dean of the College of Performing Arts Anne Hogan, architect Lorcan O’Herlihy, and Chapman dance students highlighted how the innovative design enhances both artistry and well-being.
What makes the story even more compelling is the building’s history. Once a citrus packing facility in Orange, California, the structure has been reimagined into a light-filled, state-of-the-art dance center. Original elements, such as reclaimed flooring, were thoughtfully incorporated alongside modern features like flexible performance spaces, acoustically engineered studios, and signature sawtooth rooflines that flood the center with natural light.
Dean Hogan noted that the center embodies the ethos of Chapman’s dance program, “It’s about openness and joy and movement, and having spaces to gather together.” Students echoed that sentiment, describing the center as both inspiring and collaborative, a place to “find their people and chase their dreams.”
The six-minute feature offers viewers a look at how a historic space was transformed into a hub for artistry and innovation, reinforcing Chapman’s acclaimed reputation in the arts.
To watch the segment, click on the video box above. The Sandi Simon Center for Dance feature begins at the 25:26 mark.
