A few weeks I had an amazing opportunity to be a part of the second annual Kristin Chenoweth Broadway Bootcamp held here in Broken Arrow, OK. This bootcamp was a one week intensive camp designed to train young artists like myself. We got to work with so many amazing people such as Dr. Herendeen from Oklahoma City University, Brian Cowing, Corie MeLaugh, John Sawyer, Jeremy Stevens, Jack Wallace, and Chad Oliverson. All of these people gave such wonderful advice, tips, and technique that us students soaked up. Each day about 40 other students and I got to experience masterclass sessions, choreography sessions for our group numbers, and also vocal sessions. I personally loved the masterclass sessions.
Yes, they were long and could be tiring at times, but oh how I learned so much by watching my peers work with Dr. Herendeen. I learned to trust myself, to be confident, and that it is okay to mess up. As performers we all have our “noble bobbles”. During the week I also got to work with Jack and Chad. Again, I learned so much from them during the acting workshop we did. I learned to make your audience feel, make them believe what you are saying, and to “use all the crayons in your box”. With John and Jeremy, we got to do “mock auditions”. I watched this time and what I learned is to truly be yourself, and go into an audition with confidence. I also picked up some tips about audition materials such as headshots. I believe on Tuesday we got to Skype Skylar Astin and do a Q&A session with him!
He gave us tons of advice and told us a little bit about what his journey has been like as a performer. After a full day of rehearsals on Wednesday, we got to meet Bebe Woods and have a Q&A session with her as well. This girl was so sweet and so fun to be around! I found it so neat that she wanted to come hang out with us! That night we got to meet a film producer by the name of Tom Rice. Let me tell you something, this guy is a genius! We got to screen a movie he produced called Speech and Debate. It is about three high school students who start a speech and debate club to make their voices heard as they try to start a Gay/Straight alliance group within their school. On Thursday us campers got a little surprise from the Kristin Chenoweth herself!
She came in, watched us do our group numbers for her, did a Q&A session, and also took individual pictures with us. I still can’t believe I got to talk to her one on one a few times. During one of those times I got to have a special moment with her that I will keep near and dear to my heart. She is someone I have looked up to for so long and I am overwhelmed with joy that I finally got to meet her. Friday rolled around and this was the day of our showcase. Nerves, excitement, and emotions were all over the place. That day was the day we got to perform for our families, friends, AND Kristin as well!!! When the show was over we got to talk to Kristin a little bit more and by the end of it we were all crying tears of joy. It meant so much to us that she was there. I can’t thank her enough for everything she did.
All the advice, encouragement, and all the love she gave us. I will never forget that night. Being able to sing a solo in front of a huge crowd and her, walking offstage and just feeling so full of joy and happiness. I shocked myself honestly because never in a million years would I have thought I would get to do that. With this, I wanted to thank Mark Frie, Kim Vento, John Sawyer, Jeremy Stevens, Jack Wallace, Chad Oliverson, Dr. Herendeen, and Kristin for creating and being a part of this camp. Thank you for helping me and 40 other students learn more about our craft and grow as not only performers but as people. I can’t wait to see how this camp will continue to grow throughout the years.
