TCU alums take center stage on national tours 

Theatre TCU is ranked in the top 10 best musical theater schools, according to college factual.

"It's very competitive to get in, and the category that both Hannah and Jaden were in, musical theater women, is by far the most competitive," Professor Harry Parker said. "We usually have hundreds of auditions, and we only want about seven or eight incoming students in a class."

For Dominique and LeBeau, it was worth it as both of them now are preforming on national tours less than a year after graduating.

Dominique plays Mary Magdalene in "Jesus Christ Superstar," the 1970 rock opera by Andrew Webber and Tim Rice.

"We're set in Biblical times, but it's very much set like a rock concert," Dominique said, "and Jesus is a rock star.”' 

She described life on a national tour as chaotic, laughing as she attempted to recall the number of shows she performed in just a week-long period. 

"Two weeks ago we had done, like, 12 shows in a week," Dominique said. "Usually we only do eight, but it was a 12 show week, and almost every day we were in a different city!"

Dominique's journey to Theatre TCU

Dominique, who grew up in Valencia, California, said her love for theatre began as a preschooler watching "West Side Story" almost every day. By age 10, she landed her very first role as Little Inez in "Hairspray."  

"I always knew I wanted to do something in the performing arts," Dominique said. "People say you get bit by the theatre bug, and it bit me real hard!"

When it came time for college, Dominique auditioned for 12 schools. TCU’s competitive yet welcoming environment quickly stood out to her.

"TCU was the only one that made me feel like I wasn't a product," Dominique said. "I wasn’t just meeting someone's quota; they actually wanted me to come to that school."

From her first Theatre TCU production, "Sister Act," to the 70s-set "Company," Dominique continued to grow, learn and feel comfortable in her artistic identity. She graduated in December of 2022.

"Harry Parker, who was the head of our department, really established this wonderful 'home vibe' even in an audition room, and it's not very often that you have that, because auditions can be very nerve-racking."

The theatre department’s emphasis on learning from professionals in the industry stood out, and it helped prepare her for a career in the performing arts, she said.

"Our professors are like, 'Go out and do this workshop. Go out and do this intensive,'" Dominique said. "It’s because they realize that soon we'll be out there in the real world having to deal with those things. I feel like they've definitely prepared me for what I'm doing now."

Hannah LeBeau's journey to Theatre TCU

LeBeau made her theatrical debut in second grade with two lines in "Peter Cottontail." Despite having other hobbies, LeBeau gradually chose theatre over other activities. 

"If I had two things on the same night, I'd rather go to rehearsal over a practice for something else," she said.

After her freshman year of high school, LeBeau participated in a five-week performance intensive at La Jolla Playhouse in her hometown of San Diego, which fueled her determination to pursue a career in the performing arts. 

"That was probably the most intense training program that I had done up until that point," LeBeau said. "I think it made me realize, 'Oh, I think I could do that for four years. I could, you know, commit myself to that kind of a rigorous schedule and a career down the line.'"

LeBeau auditioned for 21 schools. TCU was one of the last schools added to her list. 

"I didn't really think too much of it, and then I toured the campus and sat in on a rehearsal for the musical that they were working on at the time," LeBeau said. "I just remember walking around TCU and feeling like, 'I think this is the one.'

"I think part of what really sold me on the program when I was committing was the fact that it was more acting-centric," she said.

LeBeau set an early goal of being cast in a play, not just musicals. In her senior year, she landed a role in "Kodachrome," a co-production with Circle Theater.

Months after graduating in spring 2023, LeBeau landed a role in "American Girl Live! In Concert." The show is a pop concert experience with a full cast that follows the journey of a girl named Madison, who learns how to overcome her fears with the help of various American Girl dolls from different decades. LeBeau portrays Julie, the doll from the 1970s.

LeBeau said her time in the production was "the coolest experience."

"It's turned out to be so much more than I ever expected," LeBeau said. "A lot of the kids get so invested, which is precious, and so many of them bring their dolls. It’s amazing." 

TCU professor Harry Parker reflects on the remarkable careers of alums Jaden Dominique and Hannah LeBeau

A professor at TCU for 21 years, Harry Parker, Ph.D., is also a TCU alum himself.

Having recruited both Dominique and LeBeau, Parker commended their motivation to constantly improve their skills throughout their time at TCU.

"When they got here, they worked very hard." Parker said. "When you can mix enormous talent with great technique and training, then you've got someone that can work well professionally."

Dominique and LeBeau seemed to have done just that as they both continue to take center stage representing themselves and their alma mater across the nation.