Flashback Theater Co. (FbTC) will hold auditions for the 12th Annual Season Announcement Cabaret on Thursday, March 12th from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, March 14th from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Auditions will take place in 10 minute slots, which interested artists can sign up for in advance. The 2026 Cabaret theme is: “Lighten Up!” and auditions will take place at Flashback Theater Co., located at 209A East Mount Vernon Street in downtown Somerset.
What is the Cabaret?
The Annual Season Announcement Cabaret is an electrifying event that generates excitement for the upcoming season of productions amongst our audience and donor base. It is also a fabulous opportunity for local talent, Flashback newbies and veterans alike, to showcase their skills and celebrate camaraderie amongst artists. This year, performers and audience members can look forward to a live band as part of the performance, and a night of announcements about the upcoming season of productions at Flashback Theater!
2026 Theme: Lighten Up!
In the past year, a lot has changed in our nation and the shift is being felt in our community.. As theatremakers, we feel called to brighten the mood and remind people that there is light at the end of the tunnel and that laughter is always something to share. We encourage performers to pick fun, bright, joyful, or funny material to represent the theme of Lighten Up! The theme, as always, is open to personal interpretation.
Performers with auditions that reflect the Lighten Up theme the best will perform in Flashback’s 12th Annual Season Announcement Cabaret on Saturday, April 11th at The Virginia in downtown Somerset.
A link to sign up for auditions is available here:
Additionally, cabaret performers will have opportunities this summer to perform their Cabaret selections during Flashback’s 2026 Artist Showcase Tour. Each summer, Flashback tours surrounding communities in June and July. The tour reaches underserved areas of south central Kentucky, visiting libraries, festival stages, and community events in the Lake Cumberland area. This outreach effort provides performing arts experiences to new audiences and showcases the commitment of Flashback to serve our entire region. Artists who have received Cabaret coaching will have the opportunity to sign up for individual tour dates as their schedule allows.
If you would like to inquire about your summer event or venue being added to Flashback’s summer tour, please contact Bailey Patterson at: bailey@flashbacktheater.co.
If none of the available slots work for you, please contact Stage Manager at sm@flashbacktheater.co to schedule an alternate audition time.
What to know:
Preparation
To audition, performers should prepare a piece fit for the “Lighten Up” theme. The piece can be a song, scene, monologue, poetry, or some other performance art style that reflects the story of being on the outside looking in. Generally speaking, most selections come from the theater canon although mime and flute once made a collaborative appearance!
Accompaniment
Live piano accompaniment will be available during vocal auditions at no extra cost for those who send their sheet music to sm@flashbacktheater.co by February 26th. We highly encourage performers to take this opportunity to work with live music, as all music performed during the Cabaret will be live.
A speaker for track accompaniment is also available, but will not be permitted for performance.
Additionally, musical performers will have the opportunity to perform with a live band in addition to piano. If you believe your piece would benefit from additional instrumentation or have questions about the instrumentation options, please contact Sommer Schoch, sommer@flashbacktheater.co
Coaching Sessions & Rehearsals
Prior to the performance, selected performers will be asked to attend one coaching session with Producing Artistic Director and Sommer Schoch, as well as vocal coach Kimberly Heinrich. Schoch will focus on coaching the acting and performance skills of each performer, whereas Heinrich will advise singers on technique. These coaching sessions will occur in the weeks leading up to the performance and can be scheduled flexibly based on the performers availability.
About the Team
Sommer Schoch is the founder and Producing Artistic Director of FbTC. In a decade of Flashback history: she has directed numerous productions; overseen the development of programming that drives artists to develop their skills and talents through masterclasses, workshops, and new play development; and established connections to a community that values experiencing art in our world. Before FbTC, Sommer graduated from Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music with dual Master’s degrees in Arts Administration and Business Administration.
Kimberly Heinrich is the owner of The Voice in You vocal training studio in Somerset, and she is thrilled to be working with Flashback Theater Co! With 30 years of experience teaching vocal lessons, children’s music classes, and musical theatre camps, this is a perfect fit for her. Kimberly has truly enjoyed her experiences in Somerset, and is looking forward to many more years of music in Kentucky.
Debby McDonald is excited to the pianist for our Cabaret! She serves as the pianist/organist for First Presbyterian Church in Somerset. Previous Flashback credits include accompanist for Sweeney Todd, Mary: Her Story, Pirates of Penzance, and annual Season Announcement Cabarets. Debby would like to thank her husband Jerry for all his support.
There is one mandatory dress rehearsal the morning of the Cabaret: April 11th, 2026 at 10 a.m. Performers not able to attend the dress rehearsal will not be able to participate in the final performance.