Welcome Home, Kristin

Broken Arrow native Kristin Chenoweth returns home to teach educational master class at the BAPAC.

Tony and Emmy Award winner and Broken Arrow native Kristin Chenoweth.

Tony and Emmy Award ­winner Kristin Chenoweth is graciously lending her years of experience and expertise to the region’s most aspiring high school and college fine arts students during an ­educational master class called “An Evening with Kristin Chenoweth” on March 13 at 7:30 p.m.
    Returning home to the theatre that bears her name, Chenoweth will teach and assist young stars as they ­perform in front of a live audience at the Broken Arrow Performing Arts Center (BAPAC). She is scheduled to perform a few songs herself. Tickets start at $20 and are available now.
    As part of an all-day ­celebration, Chenoweth, a 1986 graduate of Broken Arrow High School (BAHS), will also be the keynote speaker during the ribbon cutting ceremony for the newly-renovated façade of BAHS. The ceremony is scheduled for 1 p.m. and is free and open to the public.  
    “What Kristin wants to do for our town, her alma mater and the BAPAC is nothing short of amazing,” said Mark Frie, BAPAC ­executive director and ­president of the BAPAC Foundation. “She has such a passion for helping students pursue their love of the arts, while at the same time ­wanting to get surrounding communities involved.”
    Recently partnering with the Broken Arrow Performing Arts Center Foundation, Chenoweth has refocused her philanthropy efforts to support fine arts and community relations in Broken Arrow, establishing the Kristin Chenoweth Fund for Arts and Education. Chenoweth has already begun planning endeavors for the next few years.
    Her first venture for the Kristin Chenoweth Fund for Arts and Education is to help raise money for Broken Arrow Public Schools ­students who are receiving the opportunity of a lifetime. More than 200 fine arts ­students will travel to New York City to share their ­talents with the world at the legendary Carnegie Hall on April 20.
    All proceeds from the master class will benefit the Carnegie Hall Experience, as well as the Kristin Chenoweth Fund for Arts and Education. Tickets are available at the BAPAC box office at 701 S. Main St., online at brokenarrowpac.com or by phone at 918-259-5778.
    “We in Broken Arrow have always gone above and beyond to show the ­importance of fine arts in education, and this golden moment will showcase how dedicated our students are to their craft,” Frie said.
    When invited to perform at Carnegie, most public school productions are ­blended with other public schools. Such is not the case with Broken Arrow, as this will be the first Oklahoma high school to get a ­standalone date at Carnegie – ever. Along with attending “An Evening with Kristin Chenoweth,” members of the community are also being asked to lend their support to help these students reach their New York destination. “The ‘Keys to the City’ ­campaign gives patrons the option to donate increments of money, no matter how big or small, to assist our ­students in getting to New York,” Frie said. “Every little bit will help give our students a once-in-a-lifetime ­opportunity to showcase their talents at Carnegie Hall.”
    Patrons can visit the ­website or the BAPAC Facebook page at
facebook.com/brokenarrowpac for updates and more.

For more information, contact

Broken Arrow Performing Arts Center

www.brokenarrowpac.com