Submissions Now Being Accepted for Australia's Largest Cabaret Contest

The success of the Australian Cabaret Showcase continues this year as the event undergoes some exciting developments. In its 11th year, event organizers have renamed the annual event the Your Theatrics International Cabaret Contest (YTICC). Executive Director of Your Theatrics and Producer of the contest, Jeremy Youett explains, "We considered the success and growth that the Showcase has enjoyed in previous years, and felt a rebrand of the event was necessary to accommodate new partnerships in New York and New Zealand, which are hopefully just the beginning of the International expansion of the contest."

The International Cabaret Contest will offer unprecedented opportunities and prizes for Australasia's hottest cabaret talent and will once again undertake heats in Sydney and Melbourne, while also venturing in to Brisbane, Adelaide and Auckland, NZ for the first time.

Prizes at this year's event will include the opportunity for the winner to perform a newly devised show for each of the 2014 Major Partners across Australia, with flights and accommodation for the winner's New York appearance generously contributed by The Ron and Margaret Dobell Foundation. The winner will also receive a photographic and design package courtesy of Blueprint Studios, as well as a website to help market themselves and their new show thanks to Empty Head Designs. The runner up in each city will also walk away with sought after prizes including the opportunity to receive coaching from some of the countries best industry professionals.

Youett said, "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! 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."

The New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF) returns as a Major Partner, as well as exciting new ventures with Slide Lounge in Sydney and Centre City Music Theatre (CCMT) in New Zealand. Our returning Major Partners include The Adelaide Cabaret Festival, The Melbourne Cabaret Festival, The Noosa Long Weekend Festival and The Ballarat Cabaret Festival. The Ron and Margaret Dobell Foundation complete the bill of Major Partners for 2014 and will once again provide a cash prize of $1000 for the Festival Prize winner, while also continuing their work supporting Melbourne artists by travelling and accommodating the Melbourne heat winner to and from the Sydney Grand Final event.

The contest has built a strong reputation for showcasing a high calibre of performer and as a springboard into the professional entertainment industry. Past winners have gone on to become established professional performers on both stage and screen including Tom Sharah, Bradley McCaw, James Millar, Marika Aubrey, Nick Christo, Elenoa Rokobaro and Sheridan Harbridge.

Judges include acclaimed television personality and International Cabaret Contest patron David Campbell, Artistic Director of Brisbane's Powerhouse Kris Stewart, Co-Artistic Directors of The Melbourne Cabaret Festival David Read and Neville Sice, producer Lisa Campbell, actress Delia Hannah, Agent Les Solomon, Chairperson of the Adelaide Cabaret Festival Frank Ford, Artistic Director of Harvest Rain Theatre Company Tim O'Connor, entertainer Libby O'Donovan, Adelaide Cabaret Festival Producer Torben Brookman, Noosa Long Weekend Festival Artistic Director Ian MacKellar, Entertainment Producer of Slide Lounge Jeremy Brennan, and Ballarat Cabaret Festival Director Graeme Russell.

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 (with flights and accommodation provided) on Friday 17th January at Sydney's acclaimed live music venue, The Basement.

This year's competition is open to people 18+ at all stages of their career, but places are limited. For more information, or an entry form visit: www.yticc.com

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