Chicago Cabaret Professionals presents 4th Annual Emerging Artist Showcase: featuring the Denise Tomasello Scholarship

After launching the organization’s first Emerging Artist Showcase in 2022, the Showcase returns this year with the 4th Emerging Artist Showcase to be held on August 14 at 7:30pm at Epiphany Center for the Arts in Chicago. 

This concert features five members of Chicago Cabaret Professionals who are finalists in the Showcase; competing to receive the Denise Tomasello Cabaret Scholarship Award to support the production of their first solo, cabaret show. The 2025 Emerging Artists are: Aurora Jeanne Boe, Christopher Cayari, Lauren Lassen, Mrs. Yuka Layme and Helen Smith.  Each artist will perform a three-song set, and a panel of judges will choose the winner of the $1000 scholarship. The concert will also feature a performance by the winner of the 2024 Emerging Artist Showcase, Ken Fobs, who premiered his first solo cabaret show in December of 2024.

The Showcase culminates a nearly two-month long process with the finalists receiving one-on-one coaching by members of Chicago Cabaret Professionals, who serve as mentors.  This year, mentors include Anne Pringle Burnell, Hilary Feldman, Cathy Glickman, Carla Gordon and Mchael Joseph Mitchell.  The artists are also offered work seasons on performance presentation and patter, as well as rehearsals with Music Director, Mark Burnell.

About Chicago Cabaret Professionals

Chicago Cabaret Professionals (CCP) is a membership organization that promotes the art of cabaret by educating performers, presenters, the media and the public at large; encourages the development of venues; and advances the development of Cabaret. CCP members include seasoned and aspiring performers, composers, lyricists, producers, directors, writers, presenters, music business professionals, venues, and friends. CCP is a non-for-profit 501c3 organization formed in 1998.  www.chicagocabaret.org.