A native of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, Kristin Chenoweth studied at Oklahoma City University, earning a bachelor’s degree in musical theater and a master’s degree in opera performance, performing a number of roles in the lyric coloratura category. She performed in the stage revue at Opryland and won a “most talented up-and-coming singer†award in the Metropolitan Opera National Council auditions, which resulted in a full scholarship to Philadelphia’s Academy of Vocal Arts. En route to Philadelphia, she auditioned for an Off-Broadway show and got the part. She decided to forgo her scholarship to pursue a career on Broadway; a short time later, she was accepting a Tony Award.
