Kristin Chenoweth, an Emmy and Tony Award-winning actress and singer known for her work in musical theater, television and film, is coming to RootsTech 2024.
Chenoweth will share her family story and showcase her famous soprano voice with a few musical performances as a keynote speaker on Saturday, March 2, FamilySearch announced on Rootstech.org.
RootsTech, a three-day global family history conference, is scheduled for Feb. 29 through March 2 in Salt Lake City and virtually at RootsTech.org. Registration for RootsTech is available at RootsTech.org.
Meet Kristen Chenoweth
Born in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, young Kristin was adopted by her parents Junie and Jerry Chenoweth, both chemical engineers, shortly after birth. Kristen’s adoption story has fueled her passion for supporting various charities that aid children needing loving, adoptive families.
She graduated from Oklahoma City University with a degree in musical theater and earned a master’s degree in opera performance.
While visiting a friend in New York City in 1993, Chenoweth auditioned for the musical, “Animal Crackers,” and was cast as the lead role, launching her career.
Since then she has performed for audiences worldwide and received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Chenoweth is well known for her performances on Broadway, notably her role as Sally Brown in “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown,” which earned her a Tony Award in 1999, and her original role as Glinda in “Wicked,” for which she received a Tony nomination in 2004.
She has played notable roles in several television series, including “The West Wing,” “Pushing Daisies” (won an Emmy Award in 2009), and “Glee.” She has also appeared in various films, including “Bewitched,” “The Pink Panther,” and “Four Christmases.” She also played Velma Von Tussle in NBC’s “Hairspray Live!” in 2016.
Chenoweth said performing with the Tabernacle Choir as its guest artist for annual 2018 Christmas concert was a “bucket list” item, the Church News reported.
Her next major project is as a producer for the new musical “The Queen of Versailles”, based on the 2012 award-winning documentary.
Other RootsTech 2024 keynote speakers
Chenoweth joins a short list of keynote speakers at RootsTech 2024:
- Lynne M. Jackson, a descendant of Dred and Harriet Scott.
- Comedian Henry Cho.
- Photographer Nancy Borowick.
Learn more at RootsTech.org.
