The first time you see Kristin Chenoweth perform ‘Apartment 14G’, it’s hard to grasp. All that power and all those colors are coming from just one person? One person – who only measures 4 foot 11?
Then you learn that she has a background in gospel and opera, and it starts to make sense.
At Oklahoma City University, she pursued a degree in musical theatre and was named “most promising up-and-coming singer” which came with a full scholarship to Philadelphia’s Academy of Vocal Arts.
Two weeks before school started, however, she went to New York City to help a friend move. While there, she auditioned for the musical Animal Crackers and got a role. She turned down the scholarship and moved to New York to do the show and pursue a career in musical theatre.
The rest is history, so to speak. You may have seen her act in The West Wing, star in Glee, remember her as Glinda the Good Witch in Wicked, which has netted her millions of YouTube views. She also released some fine albums. This girl is multi, multi-talented!
Her list of awards and honors includes Tony Awards, Emmy Awards, and People’s Choice Awards.
To see Kristin Chenoweth perform is a sheer delight. The twinkle in her eyes. The mastery. The FUN! You can learn so much from her by just observing.
Of course, singing jazz is a different ballgame. But it need not be extremely serious. At least, not to me. Find the joy in there too! Search for your freedom and use the stage, make sure you feel completely at ease on the stage – it’s your playground now.
How to practice?
Characterize, portray, sculpt your next song. A la Chenoweth. Of course, she has a natural gift for comedy and she’s a trained coloratura soprano. But you too can try to make your next song come to life. Make it tangible, physical, tactile.
It can be a very refreshing approach at times. Just see what it brings you. You need to be convinced and do it very convincingly.
So pull out all your acting skills and have a ball. Record the video on your mobile phone. Laugh your head off, or, if you think it’s actually quite amusing and entertaining, broaden your horizon.
All of this will lead you to own your song and owning your stage, sooner or later!
With love,
Ilse Huizinga
Kristin Chenoweth sings: ‘Apartment 14G’
Kristin Chenoweth on Wikipedia:
