Search for a star: Your Theatrics International Cabaret Contest set to be a game changer

Formerly known as the Australian Cabaret Showcase, the newly branded Your Theatrics International Cabaret Contest is heading back to Australia this year with some very exciting developments.

Now in its 11th year, the Your Theatrics International Cabaret Contest (YTICC) will be partnering with some pretty swanky festivals and sponsors around Australia (and the world), including the Adelaide Cabaret Festival, New York Music Theatre Festival, The Dobell Foundation and Centre City Music Theatre in New Zealand, making the prize pool for this event incredibly alluring for any cabaret artist.

Yes, you read correctly – ANY cabaret artist.

Unlike in previous years, where young up-and-coming artists made up the bulk of the entries, the Cabaret Contest will now be open to any performer over the age of 18 at any stage of their career. Professional artists and newcomers to the cabaret world are all encouraged to apply for the competition, which requires performers to present an 8 minute cabaret-style set in front of an audience of industry professionals and cabaret enthusiasts.

Jeremy Youett, Executive Director of Your Theatrics and Producer of the contest explained that with the international expansion of the contest, this opportunities on offer in this event are unlike any other for artists in both Australia and New Zealand.

“With generous support from the Dobell Foundation and the continued support of some of the world’s greatest Cabaret and Theatre Festivals we are able to provide an unequivocal opportunity once again for this years winner!”, he said.

“I’m also excited to launch heats in New Zealand for the first time and I look forward to announcing further international expansion in years to come.”

Heats for the competition will take place in January in Melbourne and Sydney as in previous years with additional heats now held in Brisbane, Adelaide and Auckland, NZ for the very first time. A maximum of 12 contestants will be hand picked for each heat and winners from every state are then invited to perform in the Grand Final on Friday 17 January at Sydney’s acclaimed live music venue, The Basement with flights and accommodation provided.

If the incredible array of prizes on offer at this year’s event aren’t enough to entice every single WAAPA, NIDA, VCA and Ballarat Academy graduate from the last 15 years to apply (prizes include $1000 cash prize from the Dobell Foundation, a photographic and design package from Blueprint Studios, a website from Emptyhead Designs and more) then perhaps the opportunity to perform a newly devised show for each of the 2014 major partners across Australia and an appearance in New York will seal the deal?

This year’s winner will perform at the New York Musical Theatre Festival, appear at Slide Lounge in Sydney and Centre City Music Theatre (CCMT) in New Zealand. Returning Major Partners also include The Adelaide Cabaret Festival, The Melbourne Cabaret Festival, The Noosa Long Weekend Festival and The Ballarat Cabaret Festival. Flights and accommodation for the winner’s New York appearance will be generously contributed by The Ron and Margaret Dobell Foundation.

Submissions for the contest are now open and entry forms are available here. 

Guest judges this year will include legendary Australian entertainer and Patron of the annual event David Campbell, Adelaide Cabaret Festival Producer Torben Brookman, Noosa Long Weekend Festival Artistic Director Ian Mackellar, Melbourne Cabaret Festival Artistic Directors Neville Sice and David Read, Ballarat Cabaret Festival Directors Graeme Russell and Sean Gunn and acclaimed industry guests including Actress Delia Hannah, Producer Lisa Campbell and Agent Les Solomon.

So, Aussie and NZ artists – you’d be crazy not to head along to www.yticc.com for more information about this incredible opportunity. Go on! Download an entry form, polish up your best 8 minutes of cabaret and prepare yourself to be a star. Your Theatrics International are waiting to find you! 

NSW Heat (Sydney):

Slide Lounge
41 Oxford St Darlinghurst NSW
Monday – Jan 6 at 7:30pm

S.A Heat (Adelaide):

The Space Theatre
King William Rd, Adelaide SA
Wednesday – Jan 8 at 7:30pm

QLD Heat (Brisbane):

Brisbane Powerhouse
119 Lamington St, New Farm, QLD
Saturday – Jan 11 at 7:30pm

VIC Heat (Melbourne):

Bennetts Lane
25 Bennetts Lane, Melbourne CBD, VIC
Monday – Jan 13 at 7:30pm

NZ Heat (Auckland):

The Theatre at ACG Senior College
Rutland Street, Auckland NZ
Tuesday – Jan 14 at 7:30pm

Cabaret Contest Grand Final (Sydney):

The Basement
7 Macquarie Place, Sydney NSW
Fri – Jan 17 at 8:00pm