Boston Association of Cabaret Artists

BACA's Annual Cabaret Fest 2012
Frequently Asked Questions:

What exactly is the BACA Cabaret Festival?
It is an annual BACA event produced traditionally in March in conjunction with Cabaret Month. It is members' opportunity to put together a short show and shine on a professional stage in front of a live audience.

What kind of acts are you looking for?
A variety.
Do you have a story to tell through words and song? Are you creating a new show and want to debut part of it? Are you a solo act? A duo or trio? Do you enjoy making people laugh through music? Are you a composer and want your work exposed to a wider audience? Have you made a CD and want to reach new listeners?

Why do performers pay to participate?
Producing a successful festival costs money – venue rental, accompanists, publicity, the program, refreshments and more. Performers' fees help defray the cost and to reach our break-even goal.

What does BACA provide for performers?
Performance venue; stage with lights and sound; professional piano accompaniment; publicity; stagemanager; event photography and videography.

Why 20 minutes per performance?
We want to give as many BACA members as possible a chance to perform – nonprofessionals and professionals alike. We also want to present a real "festival" feel to the evening. Twenty minutes gives us 30 performance slots, in five shows over three days, which results in a lot of different acts that will delight our audiences and keep them on their toes. In addition, putting together a show where you have to pull your listeners in right away is a creative challenge. And great practice.

What if I want to perform a program longer than 20 minutes?
If we do not fill all 30 performance slots, there is a possibility of expanding some of the performance times (registration fee would be prorated), but we cannot guarantee this.

What if my application arrives after January 16, 2012?
There is no guarantee that your application will be accepted if it is received after January 16, 2012. Such determination will be at the discretion of the BACA board,

Why do you require performers to sell 10 tickets before they qualify for reimbursement of their performance fee?
A successful festival needs a vibrant audience. We want to fill the house, again to defray costs, and try to net a profit. If we make a profit, we can reimburse the performers. It is also important to keep the entrance fee low ($15/ticket). This makes the festival accessible to as many people as possible, and encourages folks unfamiliar with BACA to attend and find out more about us. We will be offering a grand prize for the most tickets sold.

How much am I reimbursed?
We hope to reimburse each participant up to his or her registration fee. The actual amount will depend on our net profit from the festival.

Can I ask to perform on a specific night or in a specific show?
No, this is up to the discretion of the BACA Board once all the applications are received. But if there is a date on which you absolutely cannot perform, please let us know and we will try our best accommodate you.

Does BACA pay for my outside rehearsal time with the pianist?
No, that is the performer's responsibility.

Am I allowed to increase the number of instrumentalists?
Yes. Please no more than three musicians, including the pianist, due to only a couple of minutes between performances. Note that you are responsible for accompaniment fees for any additional instrumentalists.

Will BACA pay for additional instrumentalists (e.g., bass, guitar)?
No, that is the performer's responsiblility.

Thank you. We look forward to an exciting 2012 Cabaret Fest!

BACA Events Committee
– Sara Brodsky
– Lisa Hall
– Tom Casey

Return to Festival application page.

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