Chenoweth Sings With Tyler Junior College Students
Two TJC students joined Kristin Chenoweth on stage at the UT Tyler Cowan Center, and their college president's family offered each a scholarship.
Updated on Nov. 7, 2026 in Philanthropy
Kristin Chenoweth invited two Tyler Junior College students, Jamie Luna and Christiana Carlyle, to sing "For Good" from "Wicked" with her on stage during an October 24 performance with the East Texas Symphony Orchestra at the UT Tyler R. Don Cowan Center. Following the show, TJC President Dr. Juan E. Mejia and his wife, Meela Mejia, offered each student a $1,000 scholarship.
Why it matters
The performance was made accessible to 300 East Texas students through donations from the Elizabeth "Bitsy" Wright Trust and Sharon and James Wynne. The moment highlights the local arts pipeline between Tyler Junior College's theatre program and regional performance venues.
Donations funded tickets for 300 East Texas students to attend the 7:30 p.m. Saturday performance. Two TJC students each received a $1,000 scholarship offer, while the source does not specify the total cost of the scholarships or the remaining funding for the event.
The players
Kristin Chenoweth
A Tony Award-winning Broadway performer known for her roles in "Wicked" and other stage and screen productions.
Tyler Junior College
A public two-year college in Tyler, Texas, offering an Associate of Arts degree with a concentration in theatre and musical theatre.
Dr. Juan E. Mejia
The president and CEO of Tyler Junior College who, with his wife, offered scholarships to the two students.
The details
Chenoweth asked the audience whether anyone knew the song and could sing the other part with her, and Luna and Carlyle stood up to volunteer and were selected to join her on stage. The performance was held at the UT Tyler R. Don Cowan Fine and Performing Arts Center, which underwent a significant renovation over the summer.
Timeline
October 24, 2026: Chenoweth performs with the East Texas Symphony Orchestra and invites students on stage at 7:30 p.m.
Summer 2026: Cowan Center completes a significant renovation.
April 17, 2027: Bernadette Peters performs with the East Texas Symphony Orchestra at 8 p.m.
Philanthropy Context
The donation-funded ticketing for 300 East Texas students and the college-sponsored scholarship offers both place the event within the Tyler Junior College theatre and musical theatre program's Associate of Arts track. The arrangement shows how a local college and a regional performing arts center can connect students to professional productions.
Families and students in East Texas can attend Cowan Center performances when donor-funded ticket programs are available. Prospective students interested in theatre can review the Associate of Arts program at Tyler Junior College.
The takeaway
Local donor support can put students in the audience for professional performances and open doors to scholarships. Students interested in theatre can explore two-year programs at regional colleges as a pathway to the stage.
What happens next
Bernadette Peters performs with the East Texas Symphony Orchestra at the Cowan Center on April 17, 2027, at 8 p.m.
Further reading
Explore more local giving stories in Philanthropy.
More information
Learn about the program on the TJC theatre and musical theatre program information page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Tyler Morning Telegraph.
