Cabaret Showcase Goes National

 Are you an aspiring cabaret or music theatre performer? The 9th Annual Cabaret Showcase has officially launched and entries are now open for this incredibly prestigious competition.   

 Are you an aspiring cabaret or music theatre performer? The 9th Annual Cabaret Showcase has officially launched and entries are now open for this incredibly prestigious competition.   Produced by Your Management International, the showcase has helped many performers springboard onto Australia’s professional theatrical stages. Past winners have gone on to become established professional entertainers in Musicals, Cabaret, Theatre and Live Music, including James Millar, Nick Christo, Elenoa Rokobaro, Tom Sharah and Sheridan Harbridge (pictured, above). For the last 8 years, the event has been held in Sydney but this year the event goes NATIONAL. Managing Director of Your Management International, Jeremy Youett is the Executive Producer of the event: “In my 5th year producing the Showcase, I’m excited to announce heats in Melbourne and Gosford for the first time, as well as some incredible new and returning major partners.” Youett, who also happens to be the General Manager of The New York Musical Theatre Festival has raised the bar and raised the stakes for the Showcase.  The Festival Winner this year will secure 

• An invitation to perform a newly devised show at the celebrated 2012 Adelaide Cabaret Festival with the support of newly appointed Artistic Director Kate Cebrano 
• Performances at The Melbourne Cabaret Festival, Ballarat Cabaret Festival and Noosa Long Weekend (all flights and accommodation included)
• A fully produced photographic package for their new show, courtesy of Kurt Sneddon at Blue Print Studios valued at over $1000 including styling, shoot, images, prints
• A Sydney cabaret season produced by Your Management International
• A $1000 cash prize courtesy of The Ron and Margaret Dobell Foundation

The Runner Up will receive

• A $500 cash prize courtesy of The Ron and Margaret Dobell Foundation
• A photographic headshot package including shoot, images, prints, courtesy of Kurt Sneddon at Blue Print Studios valued at over $440
• The runner-up is also the standby performer, in the event that the Showcase winner is unable to fulfil their obligations to our Festival sponsors.

Last year’s Festival Prize winner, Toby Francis, wrote and performed his one man show at The Adelaide Cabaret Festival, The Noosa Long Weekend Festival and for the first time at The Melbourne Cabaret and Brisbane Cabaret Festivals under the direction and mentorship of David Campbell. The Showcase prize winner Gillian Cosgriffs’ (pictured) solo show was also picked up by The Adelaide, Brisbane and Melbourne Festivals, while Luckiest Productions recently worked with her to produce and release her first solo album of original songs after seeing her perform at The Showcase Grand Final. Both winners were also lucky enough to be offered representation by theatrical agent Les Solomon as a result of their accomplished performances.    “Providing new talent the opportunity to perform and be discovered by the Australian industry is something I strongly believe in and the continued support of some of the countries greatest Music Festivals is an integral part of the events success.” said Jeremy Youett.  “I’m looking forward to continuing the development of the annual Showcase with an opportunity to add an international engagement to the prize list for the Showcase winner in 2012, during our 10th year.” he said.  Each performer is asked to perform an eight minute set with interlinking dialogue. Winners from every heat are then invited to perform in the  Grand Final in Sydney on Friday 23rd December at Sydney’s  acclaimed live music venue Notes.  
A remarkable opportunity to advance in the scene, cabaret and musical theatre talent at all stages of their careers will have the chance to showcase their abilities in front of an audience – and in front of a panel of judges including some of Australia’s greatest entertainers. The roster this year includes: legendary Australian entertainer David Campbell, Noosa Long WeekendFestival Artistic Director Ian Mackellar, Melbourne Cabaret Festival Artistic Directors Neville Sice and David Read and acclaimed industry guests including Chloe Dallimore, Margi De Ferranti, Les Solomon and Phil Scott.
This is a simply incredible opportunity for those bitten with the cabaret and music theatre bug with a prize pool too big and too jaw-dropping to ignore! This year’s competition is open to people at all stages of their career but places are limited so register now! Heats take place in Sydney at the El Rocco Room (Bar Me) from Monday December 19 – Thursday December 22. Both the Melbourne and Central Coast heats will take place on Monday December 19 and Tuesday December 20 at Youth Arts Warehouse the new cabaret venue Downstairs At Alma’s respectively. (See below for details)
Information for those wishing to enter can be downloaded at:Download the Entry Form HERE Download the Information for Entrants HERE  For more information, email: [email protected]
Cabaret Showcase Grand FinalMUSIC NOTES 75 Enmore Road, Newtown, SydneyFor Dining Options Visit: www.noteslive.net.auFri– Dec23 8pm, Doors open at 7pm   Sydney Heats: The El Rocco Room (Bar Me) 154 Brougham St (Cnr William St) Kings Cross, Sydney
Mon – Dec 19: Heat #1 @ 6.30pm Heat #2 @ 8.30pmTues – Dec 20: Heat #3 @ 6.30pm Heat #4 @ 8.30pmWed – Dec 21: Heat #5 @ 6.30pm Heat #6 @ 8.30pmThurs – Dec 22: Heat #7 @ 6.30pm Heat #8 @ 7pm  
Melbourne Heat: Downstairs At Almas 1 Wilks St, North Caulfield MelbourneMon – Dec 197.30pm NSW Central Coast Heat: Youth Arts Warehouse Parkside Building, 123 Donnison St GosfordTues – Dec 207.30pm  www.yourenterpr
ises.com Image 1: Sheridan Harbridge, by Kurt Sneddon