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On December 10, Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center hosted an unforgettable sold-out event, An Evening with Kristin Chenoweth, in the intimate Te Ata Theater. With nearly 250 guests in attendance, this enchanting evening showcased the magic of live performance while raising funds to support arts education across the state of Oklahoma.

The night began with an elegant cocktail reception, where attendees mingled in their finest attire, setting the stage for the evening’s spectacular showcase. At 7 p.m., the audience was treated to a cabaret performance by Kristin Chenoweth, a beloved Oklahoman and Tony and Emmy Award-winning artist.

Ms. Chenoweth captivated the room with her dazzling renditions of Popular, from the hit musical Wicked, and the poignant classic The Way We Were, blending her signature wit and warmth with breathtaking vocals. A particularly moving moment came during her performance of Angels Among Us, when she invited veterans in the audience to stand and be recognized. This heartfelt gesture brought an emotional depth to the evening and demonstrated her deep gratitude for their service.

Photo by Stuart Bennett.

Throughout the evening, Ms. Chenoweth shared her pride in her Oklahoma roots. “I am proud to be from Oklahoma, and every time I come back, I am excited to see the growth. From the OKC Thunder to the film industry, Oklahoma is only getting better,” she said, drawing cheers from the audience.

Over $300,000 was raised by the event, with proceeds supporting Oklahoma Contemporary’s educational programs and the Kristin Chenoweth Arts and Education Fund supporting Kristin Chenoweth’s Broadway Boot Camp. Both these initiatives are helping to inspire creativity and cultivate talent among students throughout Oklahoma.

“This event exemplifies how art can bring people together for a greater purpose,” said Oklahoma Contemporary’s Executive Director, Trent Riley. “Kristin’s generosity and dedication to arts education remind us of the impact we can have when we invest in the next generation.”

Ms. Chenoweth also expressed her dream of contributing to Oklahoma’s burgeoning creative industries, sharing her aspiration to produce a film or TV series in her home state. By championing local talent and resources, she hopes to further elevate Oklahoma’s standing in the world of entertainment.

Oklahoma Contemporary is so grateful to all who attended and supported this remarkable evening, allowing the arts center to continue creating opportunities for young people to explore their artistic potential and build a brighter future for the arts in our community.

Stay tuned for future events that celebrate creativity, culture and connection. For those who missed this sold-out event, we cannot wait to welcome you to our next unforgettable experience!

About Oklahoma Contemporary

Oklahoma Contemporary is dedicated to fostering creativity and artistic growth through a range of impactful education initiatives:

• Camp Contemporary: Offering engaging art classes for children ages 5-12 during school breaks, Camp Contemporary inspires young artists to explore their creativity while building foundational skills in a fun and supportive environment.

• Teen Arts Council: The Oklahoma Contemporary Teen Arts Council (OCTAC) is a dynamic group of teens from diverse backgrounds who collaborate with artists, curators, educators and community partners to explore contemporary art and ideas. Through engagement and creative processes, OCTAC empowers teens — sophomores through seniors in high school — to make meaningful contributions to the arts.

• School Group Visits: Oklahoma Contemporary also provides free, enriching art experiences for students through School Group Visits. These 120-minute artistic explorations include guided tours of the galleries and hands-on art-making activities. Designed to enhance critical thinking, empathy and curiosity, these visits are free for all schools, with transportation reimbursement available for Oklahoma City Public Schools and Title I schools.

About Broadway Bootcamp

Kristin Chenoweth’s Broadway Bootcamp continues to make waves internationally, with high school students in grades 9-12 applying from all over the world. This one-of-a-kind program brings in Broadway instructors and industry professionals to mentor young performers, offering them an unparalleled opportunity to grow their craft and connect with peers from diverse backgrounds. Ms. Chenoweth takes great pride in providing this platform, which inspires the next generation of artists to pursue their dreams.

Many continued thanks to our sponsors!

Premiere Sponsors
Annie Bohanon, The Chickasaw Nation, Greg and Lisa Love, and Dick and Glenna Tanenbaum

Major Sponsors
American Fidelity Foundation, Kirkpatrick Family Fund, Ann Lacy Foundation and The McLaughlin Family

Cabaret Sponsors
Anonymous, Tyler Bolton, Rich and Lauren Johnson, Christopher Lloyd and Erik Salazar, and Brad and Angela Steele

Sponsors
BancFirst, Clements Foods Foundation, Continental Resources, John and Janet Hudson, Carey and Carol Joullian, Robert S. & Grayce B. Kerr Foundation, Kirkpatrick Bank, Kim and Joe O'Connor, Oklahoma City Thunder, Oklahoma Gazette, Brett and Karma Robinson, Melissa and Todd Scaramucci, Stride Bank, Mims and Tiffany Talton, Jim and Jill Williams, and Drew Williamson - USB Private Wealth Management

Mezzanine Sponsors
405 Magazine, Lee and Sherry Beasley, David and Regina Bozalis, Don and Dawna Cervi, Randy and Mendi Coleman, Teresa Lee Cooper, Nolan and Christi Coyle, Dan Davis Law, Zac and Ian Duty-Dean, Expand Energy, Margaret Freede and Dan Owens, Russ and Celina Harrison/Compellier, Mark and Roxanne Helm, David and Liz Howald, Konjo Concepts, Carl and Davonna Milam, Valerie Naifeh and George Catechis, G. David Neff and Suzanne Peck, Charles L. Oppenheim and Robinson Park

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