The Chronicles of a Star – Tsehai

by Madison Hernandez

Tsehai Marson, a senior vocal major at Frank Sinatra School of the Arts (FSSA), is a staple in the vocal, opera, and musical theater productions at FSSA.

Tsehai first discovered her talent by singing by herself at home. She listened to R&B artists that her mom listened to, like Rihanna, Beyoncé, Jennifer Hudson, and Alicia Keys, and dreamt of being a superstar like them. The first time she realized her passion for singing was her first time on stage.

“I didn’t start taking singing seriously until I did an impromptu performance of “Let It Go” from Frozen at a community event,” she said. “I forced my way into my elementary school’s choir, but I didn’t actually get in, I just came to rehearsals and stood right in the front when they performed.”

Tsehai was inspired to continue her vocal training and attended an arts middle school as a vocal major. It was there where she participated in an after-school program called LEAP and performed an original work called “The Movement,” inspired by the Birmingham Children’s March of 1963, created by the director of musical theater of LEAP. Tsehai’s experience in “The Movement”’ ignited her passion for musical theater.

“This musical truly changed my life. I’m so fortunate that my very first musical theater experience was working on a show that was still in development. I got to work closely with the writer, help develop characters, and watch the process of editing a work to create a more cohesive story,” said Tsehai. 

Tsehai’s first musical theater production at FSSA was in “RENT The Musical” during her sophomore year, where she played Joanne Jefferson. Tsehai describes it as one of the greatest experiences of her life. At first, she was apprehensive as a sophomore in a principal role, but found a supportive community with her peers.

“I did not think I deserved it or was capable of it by any means. I was only a sophomore in such a big role and most of my scenes were with seniors who’d been in the musical for three or even four years prior. I was absolutely terrified, but they were all so kind and supportive of me. I explicitly remember a senior cast member telling me how impressed they were with my acting choices and my singing ability,” Tsehai said.

During Tsehai’s junior year, she played Miss Gardner in “Carrie: The Musical,” which was a new experience for her both personally and artistically.

“Junior year was rough for me mentally and in my personal life. My lack of social connection with my fellow cast members made me resent the process. I dreaded rehearsing with or being around them as they made me feel othered. Carrie was also the first show where I had scenes with no singing. RENT is what we call a sing-through, meaning there are little to no scenes with just dialogue. Singing has always been my strongest discipline,” she added.

However, Tsehai eventually was able to develop meaningful relationships with the cast and was able to broaden her horizons with new experiences, such as fight choreography workshops, embracing a role that didn’t feel natural to her, and expanding her vocal and acting repertoire. 

This year, FSSA’s musical theater production is “Titanic, The Musical” and Tsehai is the vocal captain and plays Ida Straus. The production this year is more student-led than ever before, with a cast of 40 students, a student-choreographed show, and, according to Tsehai, the “coolest set Sinatra’s ever seen” and “scarily realistic costumes.” Tsehai looks forward to performing it for audiences and showing a different side of her.

“I love the music in “Titanic” because it’s so triumphant, even though the story is not. I also really love that I get to show off the operatic side of my voice that people never get to see. No one really comes to the vocal shows, so I am excited for people to hear me sing classically since they never get to,” said Tsehai. 

Of the musical theater productions Tsehai has participated in at FSSA, RENT is by far Tsehai’s favorite musical theater production. She says she was able to express herself in a way she never had before and found a balance in her life between being a high school student and a performer.

“Joanne Jefferson has been and is still my dream role and I’d love to play her again knowing what I know now. I am so deeply grateful for that experience and I’ll never forget the love and support that cast radiated. I loved being able to play a Black queer woman who wasn’t suffering through the deep dark depths of oppression. As a Black queer woman myself, I found that the only places I am represented in theater are in stories that center on oppression. I hate that. I love that RENT celebrates a Black queer woman’s success and love,” said Tsehai. 

On leaving FSSA, Tsehai says she is excited to continue pursuing musical theater, but will miss the comfort of the school community. 

“I love performing and I love the way musical theater makes me feel. It’s my dream to make others feel that way… and to also celebrate Black joy, especially black queer joy. Shows at Sinatra are on a completely different level than most college productions and even some off-Broadway productions. We have so many opportunities to perform and such a gorgeous concert hall to perform in. I am so lucky that I’ve been able to use it.”