Cabaret & Performance Conference 2026 at the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center
Cabaret & Performance Conference 2026 at the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center returns to Waterford from July 22 through August 1, bringing Broadway stars, award-winning cabaret performers, celebrated recording artists, and emerging musical theater talent together for one of the nation’s premier performance conferences. Presented each summer at the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center, the conference blends intimate concerts, storytelling, and musical theater into an unforgettable series of evening performances open to the public.
The 2026 season opens with a free Variety Show introducing this year’s guest artists before continuing with nightly performances featuring Tony Award winners, Grammy Award-winning producers, acclaimed cabaret performers, and the conference’s talented fellows and junior fellows. Every performance offers a unique opportunity to experience world-class artists in the intimate setting that has made the O’Neill one of America’s most respected theater institutions.
Event Details
Event: Cabaret & Performance Conference 2026
Dates: July 22 – August 1, 2026
Time: 8:00 p.m. nightly
Venue: Eugene O’Neill Theater Center
Location: Waterford, CT
2026 Performance Schedule
Wednesday, July 22
Opening Variety Show
The conference opens with a free showcase featuring the 2026 guest artists along with special appearances from the O’Neill community.
Thursday, July 23
Bonnie Milligan
Tony Award winner Bonnie Milligan (Kimberly Akimbo) performs an evening of Broadway favorites and personal stories accompanied by Artistic Director John McDaniel.
Friday, July 24
Phillip Officer: The Legacy of Mabel Mercer
Award-winning vocalist Phillip Officer celebrates the legendary cabaret singer whose influence shaped artists including Frank Sinatra, Lena Horne, and Tony Bennett, accompanied by Mark Hartman.
Saturday, July 25
Celebrating Thomas Z. Shepard
Twelve-time Grammy Award-winning producer Thomas Z. Shepard shares stories from his remarkable career alongside performances celebrating classic Broadway cast recordings including Company, Sweeney Todd, Ain’t Misbehavin’, and more.
Sunday, July 26
Natalie Douglas Sings Nina Simone
Fourteen-time MAC Award winner Natalie Douglas presents her acclaimed tribute to Nina Simone, accompanied by longtime music director Mark Hartman.
Tuesday, July 28
Charles Busch
Tony Award-nominated actor, playwright, and cabaret favorite Charles Busch performs an evening honoring the legendary women who inspired his career with songs by Harold Arlen, Kurt Weill, Stephen Sondheim, Joni Mitchell, and others.
Wednesday, July 29
Broadway Reimagined
The 2026 Junior Fellows present original interpretations of Broadway favorites from Tin Pan Alley through the Golden Age under the direction of Jeremiah Downes.
Thursday, July 30
Cabaret Fellows Showcase
Conference Fellows take the stage to perform original cabaret presentations developed throughout the week under the direction of Natalie Douglas and Lennie Watts.
Friday, July 31
Michael R. Jackson
Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Michael R. Jackson presents an intimate concert featuring Broadway favorites, music that has inspired his career, and original new works accompanied by Sean Patrick Cameron.
Saturday, August 1
Closing Night Finale
The conference concludes with a celebratory finale featuring this year’s performers along with special surprise guests.
About the Conference
For decades, the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center’s Cabaret & Performance Conference has served as one of the country’s leading incubators for cabaret and musical theater performance. The conference brings together Broadway veterans, acclaimed performers, educators, composers, directors, and emerging artists for an intensive program that culminates in a series of public performances.
The intimate venue allows audiences to experience artists up close while celebrating the traditions of American popular song, Broadway, jazz, and cabaret.
Why Attend
From Tony Award winners and Grammy-winning producers to rising stars of musical theater, the Cabaret & Performance Conference offers audiences an exceptional lineup rarely found outside New York City. Whether attending a single performance or several throughout the series, each evening presents a unique blend of music, storytelling, and artistry in one of Connecticut’s most celebrated performing arts venues.
Tickets
Most performances require tickets, while the Opening Variety Show on July 22 is free with advance reservation.
Tickets can be purchased by clicking the Event Ticketing link at the bottom of this page.
More Information
Additional event information is available by clicking the Event Website link at the bottom of this page.
