John McDaniel Named Artistic Director of the O'Neill's Cabaret & Performance Conference

The Eugene O'Neill Theater Center today announced the appointment of Grammy and two-time Emmy Award winner John McDaniel as Artistic Director of the Cabaret & Performance Conference, its third, which will take place July 31 - August 10, 2013. The Conference focuses on developing new artists and forms for cabaret theater, and closes the O'Neill professional summer season of new work annually.

Executive Director Preston Whiteway remarked, "I am truly thrilled to welcome John to the O'Neill and excited for his leadership of the Cabaret & Performance Conference. John's unique talents as both an artist and a producer give him the vision to lead our program and to excite his fellow artists and our local and national audience. I can't wait for August."

The Cabaret & Performance Conference, first formed in 1989 as the Cabaret Symposium and re-launched in 2005, has featured luminaries such as Margaret Whiting, Julie Wilson, Leslie Uggams, Penny Fuller, and provided vital developmental opportunities to [title of show] and The Story of My Life. Additionally, throughout its history, nearly 250 aspiring cabaret artists have spent 10 days in the Conference honing their skills and launching their careers.

"I have been deeply fond of the Cabaret art form ever since my father took me to Bobby Short's performance at the Café Carlyle when I was in school. I was instantly hooked!" says McDaniel. "I look forward to jumping into the sandbox at the O'Neill, creating a vibrant and compelling season for next summer."

The Cabaret Junior Fellows program will continue under Music Director Brad Simmons. Junior Fellows develops cabaret performance skills of teenagers, integrating their curriculum into the broader Cabaret and Performance Conference.

Further details on the Conference, including the schedule, will be released in the spring.