how to get started in cabaret

MY simplified advice--others will differ, surely:

Create 45 min to an hour long show. Make it theatre more than concert--themes, monologues, story, and/or something more than just singing your greatest hits or telling your life story (unless you have a fascinating life story). Workshop the show--do a reading (even a capella) for friends.

Once you feel it's ready, you book the venue and hire the musician(s) (I say start with just piano). Be prepared to promote your show as the venue won't bring in many walk ins.

If you are in NYC, I think the best place to start is The Duplex--very user friendly and economical. They have a FAQ sheet they can email you to fill you in on all the business aspects of it (costs, tech, etc).

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JRb's advice is great. In the mean time while you're getting an act together, you might consider the many open mic nights around the city. They're usually on Monday nights and it can be a good place to try out material and get your stage legs back (if you've been away for a while).

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Hit EVERY piano bar in town and workshop your material. Also, get to know Sydney Meyer. He books a number of cabarets: "Rose's Turn" and "Don't Tell Mama" are some.

Be aware that Cabaret will COST you money, not make you money. You should still do it, be don't give up your day job!

There are also Cabaret workshops. Helen Baldassare is wonderful.

Check out Cabaret Hotline's website. Lots of info and people to guide you. Good luck!

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Open mic night (which many piano bars have every night) will get your feet wet. Mama's, Rose's Turn, Duplex, Monster, etc all let you get up and sing. Although it's good to bring music, don't expect everyone to be able to play it. Many pianists know a lot of the standard cabaret or broadway material. It's very informal.

I'm not sure what you mean about something in-between, but like I said most piano bars will let you sing. Don't forget to tip!

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I agree that cabarets cost you money--not make you money. At least it can be that way at first. So only put out what you can afford to lose. That's one reason I suggest just going with piano. I went with full band, which artistically was awesome, but not being established, I just lost that much more money. lol

I'm sure once you develop an audience or if you have lots of friends and family where you are, you can make back your money or turn a profit.

edit for clarity

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Updated On: 7/22/06 at 09:29 PM

I had a great time doing my show back in '94. It began with just me and my pianist getting together once a week to work on some songs, and over the course of a year (after throwing out a lot of material and reworking it a lot), we finally touched on a theme,and with the recommendation of a good friend of mine who does a lot of cabaret in NYC and all over the country, I got booked into the Duplex. It is a thrilling experience to actually be IN CHARGE of your own show, making all the executive decisions. Some people work well with a director, so if you have someone you trust, that's great. I took the other route, and near the end of the rehearsal period, I put it in front of some acquaintances who I trusted immensely, got their input and made some minor adjustments. As my dear friend Julie Reyburn always says - Trust Your Instincts. Do what feels right to you, and don't let ANYONE destroy your vision of what you want to create. This is YOUR show, all the way, so enjoy every moment of it.

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