Sioux City, Iowa - March 2023 was a magical month for Mackenzie Crawford. The East High School student not only graced the stage at the legendary Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee but she did it alongside Broadway star Kristin Chenoweth.
In July 2022, after a rigorous audition process in which she competed against thousands of applicants from the United States and around the world, Crawford was selected to attend Chenoweth's Broadway Bootcamp. The camp was held in Chenoweth's hometown of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, at her performing arts center. Well-respected Broadway actors, choreographers, directors, musicians, coaches, and Chenoweth attended the camp. Additionally, famed choreographer Kenny Ortega was in attendance.
During the camp, Chenoweth and Ortega filmed a docuseries, "1300 Miles to Broadway," focused on the lives of the campers and their dreams of pursuing Broadway careers. The docuseries is set to premiere later this year.
In March 2023, Crawford was contacted by Chenoweth to perform with her in Nashville for the Nashville Symphony Fashion Show and at a Nashville Public Schools fundraiser held at the Grand Ole Opry. Crawford and Chenoweth sang "For Good", a duet from the Broadway musical, "Wicked", at both events.
The beautiful duet garnered a standing ovation for Crawford at the Grand Ole Opry and a once-in-a-lifetime experience the East High student will never forget.