Chicago Cabaret Professionals
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CCP Members work with Columbia College Musical Theatre Students.

Before the holidays, CCP Education Directors Laura Freeman and Beckie Menzie worked in tandem with the Musical Theatre Faculty at Columbia College. Their combined objective was to show musical theatre seniors how they can benefit from the links between cabaret and musical theatre as they move forward into a career in performing arts. Teachers Rob Lindley, Beckie Menzie, George Howe and Kat Taylor worked with the students on developing song numbers and patter and well as developing important skills to promote yourself. Here are a few of the comments from students:

"The CCP members helped me unlock something that I've been hoping to for a long time with my song....the most worthwhile workshop I've taken at Columbia."

"The cabaret classes were amazing. Because of those classes, I have become very interested in the art form."

"[The teachers] created a very comfortable and intimate environment in which to work and perform. I had an amazing time in class."

"For me," says master teacher Beckie Menzie, "one of the extra joys of this particular class was seeing [the change in] a student who in four years just hadn't totally found herself. She was a highlight of the cabaret class and the faculty told us that this class finally gave her a chance to shine."

The education committee is thinking of other options to branch out and find more opportunities for members to share cabaret. If you have any ideas, let our Education Directors know at education@chicagocabaret.org.