The O'Neill Cabaret & Performance

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The O'Neill's Cabaret & Performance Conference was established in 2005 as a dynamic opportunity for artists to work on their projects with the guidance of an accomplished team of professional music directors, guest artists and musicologists. The Conference reexamines, redefines, and revitalizes the Cabaret art form for the 21st century. It offers participants individualized attention to their project while they establish lasting friendships in the field and acquire the skills needed to make Cabaret performance an important part of their creative life.

During its intense two week period, this conference provides hands-on artistic guidance and instruction to a select group of international participants chosen by application and audition, as well as the development of special "cabaret theater" projects featuring some of the top names in theater today. The O'Neill Center provides professional faculty (led by Associate Artistic Director Joel Silberman, Penny Fuller and Barry Kleinbort) and the resources to support each participant in the creation of a new cabaret performance piece. With in-depth group and private sessions, the conference staff offers assistance in material selection, musical interpretation, dramaturgical arc, and the creation of each participant's cabaret persona, shaping their work from rehearsal to public performance at the O'Neill. During the Conference, participants have ample opportunity to spend time with the special guest artists who are also developing cabaret works, establishing support and camaraderie between participants, guest artists and faculty. By the end of the conference, each of the participants will leave with the tools they need to further their professional goals along with a foundation from which they can develop as a cabaret performer. Post-conference showcase opportunities are also available in New York City.

Michael Bush, Artistic Director of the Cabaret & Performance Conference at the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center in Waterford, Connecticut, announced that applications are now being accepted for the 2008 Cabaret Fellows program, July 30 - August 9, 2008. Mr. Bush is also proud to announce that a new full scholarship to the program, the Mark Fusco Scholarship, will be awarded to an outstanding applicant with financial need.

"Due to the unprecedented success of the Cabaret & Performance Conference in the past two years, The Mark Fusco Scholarship is being provided by the generosity of Cabaret supporters to a Fellows applicant with the talent and potential to be part of the professional cabaret community," said Mr. Bush, "someone who would benefit greatly from the intense and personal training that we provide each summer under the guidance of our artistic staff. This training emphasizes a personal and truthful interpretation of material that enables each Fellow to develop and stretch their own authentic voice.

The Cabaret & Performance Conference at the O'Neill also supports established and emerging Guest Artists in the development of solo and group pieces for performance in an intimate space and/or theater. These have included solo shows for Emmy Award winner Penny Fuller, Tony Award winner Gretha Boston and Grammy Award winner Marcus Hummon, and the OBIE winning musical [title of show] and Ruth Williamson's Pure Heaven.

The submission process for the cabaret conference is underway! Application deadline for participants is May 1. Finalists will be asked to audition for the artistic director and his primary faculty in during May. Those accepted into the conference will be notified on or about June 1st. For information on tuition and to apply, visit the O'Neill's submissions guidelines page.