CBU creates Collinsworth School of Performing Arts

Riverside, Calif. (July 1, 2022) – The music and theatre programs at California Baptist University have been joined together to create the Shelby and Ferne Collinsworth School of Performing Arts effective July 1.

The change will benefit students by integrating faculty and resources, said Dr. Joseph Bolin, dean of the Collinsworth School of Performing Arts. The school was formerly known as the Collinsworth School of Music.

“The faculty and administration are confident that we can serve our theatre and music students better by combining faculty, resources, vision, and cultures,” Bolin said.

The coming academic year will bring minimal changes to the programs as faculty and administrators focus on developing a strategy as the school moves forward, he said.

“This is a merger of two significant CBU communities into something new and unprecedented in the university's history—a unified school of performing artists committed to applying its full power toward cultivating the next generation of actors, musicians, educators, producers, technicians and worship facilitators,” Bolin said.

An immediate perk is that performance schedules can be adjusted so students can participate in both a theatre production and a musical ensemble, said Lee Lyons, director of the theatre program.

“That's a clear benefit because before a student would have to choose,” Lyons said.

In 2021-22, CBU music programs had nearly 250 students and 71 full-time and adjunct faculty. The theatre program had more than 40 students and five full-time and adjunct faculty.

“Our mission moving forward is to inspire students to the highest standards of craft and character, preparing them to impact the world through careers in the performing arts,” Bolin said.

Dr. Charles Sands, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs, said CBU is thrilled to be joining these performing arts programs.

“We know that both of these areas have a rich history, and I am excited about the future collaboration as we continually create conditions for success for our students,” Sands said.