The Manhattan Association of Cabarets (MAC) announces the 11th year of its MAC TO SCHOOL weekend event. The Art of Cabaret: From Story to Stage will be a two-day interactive cabaret symposium featuring master classes, interactive workshops and panel discussions exploring all aspects of creating your cabaret show.
When: Saturday and Sunday, September 26 & 27; 9:00 am – 6:30 pm
Where: Don’t Tell Mama and Open Jar Studios in Manhattan.
MAC TO SCHOOL is open to MAC members and non-members.
- Flat registration fee for MAC members: $100
- Registration fee for non-MAC members: $175
OR
- Join MAC for only $65 (basic level) for a full-year membership to take advantage of the deeply discounted MAC member price of only $100 for the entire MAC TO School weekend and enjoy all the benefits of MAC memberships throughout the year!
The registration fee is good for admission to all MAC To School events. Tuition is the same regardless of how many sessions you attend. Register early, as opportunities to participate in interactive sessions are determined on a first come, first served basis!
Registration closes Sept. 25
Complete schedule follows.
Saturday, September 26th
9 am -1:30 pm: Don’t Tell Mama, 343 West 46th St., New York, NY 10036
9-9:30 am – Registration
Join the MAC Board of Directors in the piano bar at Don’t Tell Mama to register for MAC To School. Receive your schedule of events, socialize with your fellow MAC To School attendees.
9:30-12:00 – The Body in the Song with Lennie Watts and Jan Prokop. This workshop brings together the body and the song. Dr. Jan Prokop will present an introduction to Body Mapping and then will work in tandon with Lennie Watts as he works with singers as the director.
4 singers, one alternate. Prepare and memorize one (1) song, uptempo or story songs recommended.
12:15 – 1:30 – MAC to School 101: Putting Your Team Together moderated by David Sabella. David will moderate a panel discussion with some of NYC’s premier cabaret professionals about the process of developing, booking, promoting and performing your show. We will have directors, cabaret room managers, music directors, a tech director and more available to answer all your questions.
LUNCH BREAK
2:00-6:30 pm – Open Jar Studios, 1601 Broadway, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10036
2:00- 4:00 – Creating a Medley: The Heart and Art of the Craft with Gregory Tororian. Singers will bring two songs that they feel connect lyrically to each and to the story of the show. Gregory will work with them to craft a medley. A voice teacher (TBA) will work with the singer to achieve all that the newly formed medley requires.
4 Singers, one alternate. Bring two lyrically connected songs. These do not need to be memorized. You will be asked to provide the song selections prior to the workshop.
4:15-6:30 pm – Masterclass: Finding Your Speech in Song with Mary Saunders- Barton. Mary is a performer, voice teacher and author who is at the forefront of the vocal pedagogy and performance education for the Music Theater performer. She will work with singers to find their authentic voice in song and how to seamlessly go from patter into song. You can find more information about Mary and her work at https://belcantocanbelto.com
5 Singers, two alternates. Singers should bring one song that is learned and memorized and have a second, contrasting song available if needed.
Sunday, September 27th
9 am -1:30 pm: Don’t Tell Mama, 343 West 46th St., New York, NY 10036
9:00-9:15 am – Day 2 Check in and Mingle
9:15-10:30 pm – Cabaret Jeopardy! hosted by Hannah Jane. The session will feature our special MAC to School Jeopardy and Cabaret Bingo. Drawing information and inspiration from SO YOU WANT TO SING CABARET, written by David Sabella and Sue Matsuki, we will learn about the history of cabaret and learn from the great performers that have made NYC Cabaret the best in the world.
10:30am-12:15pm – Show Inspirations featuring Lena Moy Bergen, Meg Flather, Camille Diamond and David Sabelle. Each of these seasoned cabaret performers will discuss the inspiration and development of their shows, highlighting their approach to the story, the songs and how they weave it all together. They will answer questions attendees might have and then will perform a short portion of their show.
12:30-1:15pm – Vocal Health and Habits with Michael Rider. Using his 25 years of voice teaching and performing experience, Michael will present best practices to develop healthy habits that singers can carry throughout their lives, not just on stage. He will also discuss strategies for performing when your voice isn’t ‘100%’.
LUNCH BREAK
2:00-6:30 pm – Open Jar Studios, 1601 Broadway, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10036
2:00-4:00 pm – plusOne featuring Tracy Stark, piano and Mike Rosengarten, guitar. This workshop will focus on the art of adding guitar to a song that enhances and changes the way the song resonates both musically and lyrically with the audience. Singers will present a song that they have prepared only with piano accompaniment and will work with Tracy and Mike to create a new arrangement.
4 Singers, one alternate. Singers should bring a song that they have prepared with piano accompaniment and is close to performance ready and bring a score that includes both the piano accompaniment and the guitar chords.
4:15-6:30 pm – The Song is the Story: A Master Class TBA
5 singers, 2 alternates. Prepare and memorize a song that is lyrically driven, whose story you resonate strongly with. Bring charts or scores in your preferred key. Scores should have chord symbols.
* * * * *
Auditor vs. Participant
You can audit the entirety of MAC To School and have a fantastic experience! However, there are, in addition, five interactive workshops with a limited number of slots available for participating singers. Participants will be chosen on a first-come, first-served basis.
*Artists, panelists, and presenters subject to change. *
*Depending upon enrollment, singing in master classes and workshops is not guaranteed. *