Auditions

There is no audition process for the Weekend Cabaret Workshop (Option 1) but participants in the Full Cabaret Workshop (Option 2) are required to audition. It is very rare that anyone is unsuccessful, but it’s important we ensure no participant is out of their depth when there is a public performance outcome at the end of the process. It also allows us to get to know the participants and their skills a little prior to the start of the workshop. We also find that formalising the start of the process in this way helps ensure the commitment and seriousness of the participant.

Option 1: The Weekend Cabaret Workshop

This workshop is held over 2 days (10am – 5pm Saturday and Sunday) and is designed for 15 years + with a maximum of 10 participants

Goals:

Participants will bring 2 or 3 potential cabaret songs of their choosing and sheet music. The songs will be contrasting – no more than one slow song/ ballad and at least one story song.

Over the weekend they will work on their songs and write script.

They will also look at developing their stage craft specific to the genre of cabaret.

Weekend Timeline:

Day 1

10am – 11am Chat about cabaret and how to write script.

11am – 1pm Script writing session.

1 – 2pm Lunch

2 – 5pm Split off into 2 groups, working with Mark or Melissa. All participants have a solo 20 minute session with Mark on music while the remaining group continue working with Melissa on presentation, staging and how to perform cabaret script.

Day 2

10am – 1pm Again split into 2 groups. Participants will continue to work with Mark on music and script or to work with Melissa on script and stage presentation. The groups will swap halfway through the morning.

1 – 2pm Lunch

2 – 3.30pm Run short cabarets. Each participant chooses 5 mins of their cabaret for the Final Run.

3.45 – 5pm  Final Run (family & friends welcome)

Option 2: The Full Cabaret Workshop

This workshop includes an audition and 4 full days of workshop

Audition:       2 weeks prior to first workshop session

Week 1:        Saturday and Sunday (10am – 5pm)

Week 2:        Sunday (10am – 5pm)

Week 3:         Sunday (10am – 5pm)

Designed for 15 years + with a maximum of 10 participants.

This workshop is more intensive than the basic cabaret workshop.

Each participant will have written and rehearsed a 10 min performance that will be presented as part of a cabaret showcase concert on the final Sunday.

The showcase will be fully staged with Cabaret lighting and sound.

Goals:

Participants will bring 2 or 3 potential cabaret songs of their choosing and sheet music. The songs will be contrasting – no more than one slow song/ ballad and at least one story song.

During the first weekend they will work on their songs and write script.

They will also look at developing their stage craft specific to the genre of cabaret.

In Week 2 work will continue to develop their show. They will also work on staging their cabaret, have the opportunity to use a sound system and learn the art of interacting with a cabaret audience.

In Week 3 the participants will rehearse their shows on stage with full lighting and sound and then perform their 10 minute mini-show in one of two cabaret showcase performances for friends and family.

Weekend Timeline:

Day 1

10am – 11am  Chat about cabaret and how to write script.

11am – 1pm  Script writing session.

1 – 2pm  Lunch

2 – 5pm Split off into 2 groups, working with Mark or Melissa. All participants have a solo 20 minute session with Mark on music while the remaining group continue working with Melissa on presentation and staging

Day 2

10am – 11  A session on performing cabaret script.

11am – 1pm  Again split into 2 groups. Participants will continue to work with Mark on music and script or to work with Melissa on script and stage presentation. The groups will swap halfway through the morning.

1 – 2pm  Lunch

2 – 3.30pm Work continues in 2 groups.

3.30 – 5pm  Participants run small sections of their show for entire group.

Day 3 (2nd Sunday)

10am – 11am  This first hour will be a demonstration of working on the sound system.

11am – 1pm  Participants will all get the opportunity to work on the sound system.

1 – 2pm  Lunch

2 – 5pm  Split off into 2 groups, working with both Mark and Melissa. All participants have a solo 20 minute session with Mark, working on music and patter. We will also start working on presentation, staging and how to perform patter.

Note:  (Sound System required for the day)

Day 4 (3rd Sunday)

10am -12pm  Run all shows.

12pm– 2pm  Technical rehearsal on all shows. (This will be individually scheduled).

2 – 3pm    Lunch

3pm – 4pm  Notes and Music Rehearsal

4pm – 5pm  Preparation (Make up and Dress)

5pm - 6   Show 1 (approx. 60 mins)

6pm - 7  Show 2 (approx. 60 mins)

Note:    (Full Sound and Lighting – 1 tech person required for full day)