The Cabaret Collective

The Cabaret Collective is a producing group currently based in New York City. It was founded in early 2024 by Shelby Joelle Cox, with a focus on providing performance opportunities for up-and-coming artists and creatives. Since its inception, The Cabaret Collective has provided paid opportunities for musical theatre, opera, and crossover singers, as well as composers, music directors, and instrumentalists.

Past Productions

A Night at the Opera || August 30th, 2024

The Green Room 42 || New York City
A night of opera’s greatest hits, including Habanera from "Carmen", Der Holle Rache from "The Magic Flute", Nessun Dorma from "Turandot," and more. The concert featured talent from Juilliard, Manhattan School of Music, A-level opera houses throughout the US and Europe, Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and winners of major competitions. Each song had translated lyrics projected alongside the performance, as well as a “Where Have I Heard This?” slide sharing which shows and movies audience members may know the pieces from.

Performers: Colin Aikins, Blair Cagney, Shelby Joelle Cox, Hannah Friesen, Nicole Eve Goldstein, James C. Harris, Adam Unger, Olivia McMillan, and Diego Valdez

Music Director Benjamin Nylander || Assistant Producer Kayla Brandt

New Voices Night || June 15, 2024

The Green Room 42 || New York City
A concert featuring all-new pieces by 10 incredible up-and-coming composers in the New York City musical theatre scene. This show featured artists from the BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop, Off-Broadway, The Juilliard School, Manhattan School of Music,  Write Out Loud, and more.

Composers: Hannah Bakke, Joel Chapman, Danny Decker, Canaan J. Harris, Chris Heron, Danielle Olana Jagelski, Louis Josephson, Yael Karoly; Abigail Cline & Kelly Pekar; and Michael Verre
Performers: Kayla Brandt, Carlyn Connolly, Shelby Joelle Cox , Kaitlyn Davis, Jen Diaz, Kelly Fuller, Tommy Joscelyn, Aaron Penzel, Laurel Sharakan, & Amilia Shaw
Music Director Aidan S. Wells || Guitarist Alex Petti, Bassist Jakob Messinetti, Cellist Elmo Zapp, Drummer Zac Dayrit Swanner

Something Old, Something New: A Golden Age Cabaret || January 27, 2024

The Green Room 42 || New York City
An evening celebrating Broadway classics (“Something Old”) alongside Golden-Age inspired contemporary tunes (“Something New”). Featuring songs from "The Music Man," "Candide," "A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder," "The Light in the Piazza," and more, and premieres of two new songs from composers Canaan J. Harris and Benjamin Pawlak.

Performers: Jake Goz, Olivia McMillan, Francesca Mehrotra, Jillian Paige, Aaron Penzel, Maxwell Swangel, Carson Tate, and Shelby Joelle Cox

Music Director Canaan J. Harris