Tony Award-winning actress Kristin Chenoweth invited two Tyler Junior College (TJC) musical theater students to sing with her on stage during her Oct. 24 performance at The University of Texas at Tyler R. Don Cowan Fine and Performing Arts Center. The show was held with the East Texas Symphony Orchestra.
Chenoweth, who played Glinda in the musical "Wicked," asked audience members who knew the song "For Good" to join her. Second-year students Jamie Luna and Christiana Carlyle stood up, and Chenoweth chose them to sing from the stage. Carlyle, a musical theatre major, said the experience was "liberating and beautiful." Luna said both students were surprised but ready to take the chance.
Donations from the Elizabeth "Bitsy" Wright Trust and Sharon and James Wynne paid for tickets for 300 East Texas students, including many from local arts programs. Derrith Bondurant, a member of the TJC President's Circle, helped arrange the students' attendance. Luna and Carlyle attended with TJC's Las Mascaras student organization.