By Emily Fincher, Executive Producer
Published May 12, 2025

This week's anchors, Analise Wachtel and DaZiah Knox, discuss the Pope pregnancies, proposals, and much more! Be sure to follow us on Instagram @theleaptcu for updates on our episodes and behind-the-scenes footage.

Theatre TCU Black Excellence highlights Bruno Mars and Brandy in TCU Sings

By Colin McThorn, Staff Writer

Published Apr 22, 2025

Andrew Meier, senior musical theatre major, Sydney Vance, sophomore acting major, Jabari Thurman, first year musical theatre studies major, Payton Zemaitus first year musical theatre major, Macy Caroline Matens, sophomore musical theatre major, Jillian Lee Sophomore Psychology Major, Sam Illum, junior musical theatre major, Rayon Lim, sophomore musical theatre major and Alaya Phillips, first year musical theatre major. (Photo courtesy of Theatre TCU)

Earlier this month, Theatre TCU Black Excellence hosted its annual spring event, TCU Sings. TCU Sings is an event by the organization that highlights famous black artists’ music, sung by members of the organization and people who audition.

Theatre TCU Black Excellence was formed in the fall of 2019. Its purpose was to recruit more people of color to the theatre department here at TCU.

“It started because we wanted to have a safe space, to be able to be together,” D’Mariel Jones, founder and former president of the club, said. The club has also provided masterclasses from black actors on Broadway and Q&A sessions.

The percentage of students who identify as Black has increased from less than 2% to 10%, while Hispanic and Latino students have grown from 7% to 15%, according to TCU Institutional Research, due to the efforts of the theatre department to diversify the program and help from TTBE.

TCU students don’t need to be a part of TTBE to be a part of their performances, TCU Sings in the spring and Blackout in the fall. The goal is to highlight black artists and amplify black voices within the department and TCU’s campus as a whole.

In past years, TCU Sings has presented music from Whitney Houston, John Legend and Alicia Keys.

This year, TCU Sings showcased music from Bruno Mars and Brandy.

Traditionally, TCU Sings uses a live band, seated up on the balcony of the Hays Theater. Audience members have the opportunity to sit right next to the band or down by the performers, offering a very intimate show experience. The audience is encouraged to get up and dance, sing and cheer.

TCU students from every grade and every major joined together as singers, dancers, and musicians. Some notable numbers included “24K Magic” and “Leave the Door Open” by Bruno Mars and “The Boy is Mine” and “One Voice” by Brandy. After the performance, this year’s co-president Jalen Morgan, senior musical theatre major, passed down the organization to Lilly Mehari, sophomore musical theatre major, and Nissi Chepkirui, first year musical theatre major.