The 12-week Cabaret Workshop, led by Mabel Mercer Foundation Education Director Natalie Douglas, is offered at the Professional Performing Arts High School (PPAS) in collaboration with Jeff Statile, Artistic Director of PPAS at Rosie’s Theater Kids. Supporting the workshop is the Foundation's resident maestro, Jon Weber, who accompanies the students as they explore the unique skills required for the art of cabaret. Unlike the broader techniques of musical theater, cabaret emphasizes nuanced performance and a deep connection with the audience, offering the students a distinctive and enriching artistic experience. And there’s no better way to learn than under the guidance of master teacher and performer Natalie Douglas.

The inaugural Teen Cabaret Showcase took place at Chelsea Table & Stage, hosted by MMF Education Director Natalie Douglas. The showcase was the culmination of a 12-week cabaret workshop offered as an elective at the Professional Performing Arts High School. Almost two dozen students performed songs they had honed during the class under Natalie’s guidance. Family, friends, faculty, and members of the public gathered to support these talented young performers as they experienced the intimacy and excitement of singing in a professional cabaret venue. It's a wonderful opportunity for curious students of all skill levels to learn and perform the art of cabaret. A new group of students is already preparing to take the stage for the next showcase, set for early 2025!

Adela and Larry Elow, steadfast champions of the Great American Songbook, have generously endowed The Mabel Mercer Foundation with a fund dedicated to inspiring teenagers to learn and perform this timeless repertoire for years to come. The competition, judged by experts in the field, awards $2,500 first prize with an invitation to appear at the annual Mabel Mercer Foundation Cabaret Convention at Rose Theater, Frederick P. Rose Hall, Jazz at Lincoln Center. A $1,500 second prize and $1,000 third prize are bestowed to further burgeoning dreams. Please visit our dedicated section about this initiative HERE for complete information.

The Mabel Mercer Foundation provides complimentary ticket blocks to New York City educational institutions, fostering accessibility and engagement with cabaret art. Participating schools include Professional Performing Arts High School (PPAHS), Success Academy Middle School, Celia Cruz Bronx High School of Music, Rosie’s Theater Kids, LaGuardia High School, Talent Unlimited High School, Frank Sinatra School of the Arts, Columbia University, The Music Conservatory of Westchester, Pace University, SUNY Purchase, Bay Shore High School, and Juilliard. Additionally, Cabaret Convention student rush tickets are available at the venue box office for just $10—valid for any available seat! This special pricing is also extended to MAC (Manhattan Association of Cabarets) members, as part of the Foundation’s commitment to supporting New York’s professional cabaret community. New York City Senior Centers and TDF are also beneficiaries of our complimentary and low cost ticket initiatives.

The Mabel Mercer Foundation was created to preserve and celebrate a vital but endangered aspect of American musical heritage: the intimate art of cabaret performance and its rich songbook. Through sponsoring live performances—many of which are offered free of charge to the public at venues like The National Arts Club, The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, and The Players Club—the Foundation aims to entertain and educate audiences accustomed to mass-produced pop music, counteract the impact of diminishing music education budgets, and support contemporary cabaret artists. Additionally, the Foundation serves as a central resource for artists, presenters, promoters, and the general public, fostering connections and sustaining the cabaret tradition.

Our educational outreach extends far beyond New York City's boroughs. Through multi-year partnerships with the Cayman Arts Festival in the Cayman Islands and the Jim and Elizabeth Sullivan Foundation for the Arts in Durango, Colorado, the Mabel Mercer Foundation has provided cabaret classes and competitions for aspiring young performers. Many participants are invited to showcase their talents at the prestigious New York Cabaret Convention. Most recently, Director of Education Natalie Douglas led an American Songbook and Cabaret Appreciation class at Bay Shore High School (New York). Following the class, students were transported to the city for an unforgettable evening at the New York Cabaret Convention. The Foundation also acts as programming consultants for venues from Florida to London, helping connect both established and emerging cabaret performers with essential opportunities.