Founded in Chicago in April 2008, Cabaret Vagabond is a group of theatre & performance artists, musicians, writers and visual artists, dedicated to creating an atmosphere of experimentation and provocative entertainment.

Over the last year, Cabaret Vagabond has presented nine themed productions, each one a mixed-media event including theatre, poetry, music, political satire and variety acts aimed at creating an exciting and interactive audience experience. Informed by the literary cabarets of Europe in the early 20th century, each show has an emphasis on audience interaction, spontaneity, and environment design to create truly unique entertainment. The performances are half-party, half-show, with the audience as an active part of the program.

Failure is encouraged. Experimentation is required.

In 2009 the cabaret introduced a new series of short comedy films, debuting a new short at every performance. Each of the Vagabond company members uses the cabaret as a venue to explore and test out new material. Whether it be the first run of a new stand-up routine, or excerpts from a one-woman-show, stylized punk-cabaret songs or working out a modern Punch-N-Judy show, there are numerous side projects that have emerged from Cabaret Vagabond. In our first year we have also collaborated with over one hundred artists working in different media; from musicians and slam poets to burlesque dancers, photographers, clowns, and comedians.

We are dedicated to elevating the art form of Cabaret and collaborating with artists from all media.

What The Cabaret Is Not: It is not lounge singing, or a piano bar or a strip joint. None of that. Think less bump ‘n grind, more Chat Noir. We gather. We make art. We drink and are so merry. We have a damn good time.

Experience a thriving community of Chicago Artists.

Come. Watch. Kunst.*


*"Das ist Kunst"

pron: (doss isst Koohnst)
def: 1.That is Art (German)
2. The last recourse of an artist who has lost all relevance.
3. An esoteric phrase shamelessly appropriated to tart up our otherwise
completely lackluster cabaret enterprise.