The newest artist in residence for OCU was recently announced as being Tony and Emmy award-winner and OCU alumna Kristin Chenoweth.
Chenoweth graduated from OCU in 1990 with a degree in music theater and went on to star on Broadway in a number of shows, as well as star in television shows and movies and release her own music. The alumna will first be on campus sometime in April of this year.
David Herendeen, director of opera and music theater, said an artist in residence is someone who comes and teaches at OCU.
“An artist in residence is where we have a specific touch point with a professional in the business wherein the professional agrees to reside here for a certain amount of time during the school year and works with the students both one on one and in a masterclass setting,” Herendeen said. “She really demonstrates someone who is working in a variety of ways in the industry and therefore gives us a perspective of what the industry looks like now.”
Herendeen said Chenoweth will be coming on campus hopefully one or two times a semester. He also said he hopes the students see this as more than a photo opportunity or a chance for an autograph and try to really learn from Chenoweth’s experience in the industry.
“I want them to know that she didn’t just roll out of bed and become who she is. She had to work hard, face rejection and struggle and did not get everything she wanted. So, she was challenged, but more importantly she was resilient,” Herendeen said. “This exemplifies that, and I want this to be clear, because sometimes people think success in this business is magic or luck, but it’s not. Sure there’s luck, but you have to have talent and a work ethic to line up with luck, and Kristin exemplifies this perfectly.”
Herendeen also said he hopes everyone on campus, whether involved in music and theater or not, will be excited about having such a respected and successful alumna like Chenoweth on as an artist in residence.
“She is not just like the students that are in opera, musical theater, dance or theater, but rather she is like every student in this university, and what she has to show us about resilience and getting up every day is a message for all our students. Everyone on our campus should be proud of the fact that she is one of us,” Herendeen said.
Madeline Powell, music theater junior, said she is incredibly excited about the chance to work with and learn from Chenoweth.
“I think it is just very exciting because obviously Kristin Chenoweth has put OCU on the map originally for musical theater, and it is so exciting for her to come home and share her years of experience and knowledge with us,” Powell said.
Powell also said she is excited to learn from such an experienced performer what goes into her decision-making with each role she takes on.
“Her acting choices are so professional and well-informed about what she is doing, and I am so excited to get to hear her talk about her thought process in person and learn from what she has to say,” Powell said.
Powell also said she thinks this announcement should be impactful and exciting to the entire OCU campus.
“I think this will be really good to help people know why our school is so special and so sought after. The attention that it will bring to our campus is something that will be beneficial to the campus as a whole,” Powell said.
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