The ten-day conference will continue through Aug. 11. It allows participants to develop various cabarets and song projects with guidance from professionals in the industry. Many performances are open to the public.

Performances include Marilyn Maye and special guests (Aug. 2); as well as Ac-cent-tchu-ate The Positive – A Johnny Mercer Celebration, featuring Maye, Penny Fuller, Amanda McBroom and more (Aug. 3).

Gretchen Cryer and Sheri Sanders will perform Still Getting My Act Together - In Concert (Aug. 4); followed by the 2012 O'Neill Follies, with performances by Leanne Borghesi, Jeremiah James, Susan Winter and Penny Fuller.

Loni Ackerman will offer Next to Ab-normal, recalling "personal stories of her unusual New York upbringing," while revisiting songs she sang in New York hits like Starting Here, Starting Now (Aug. 7).

Christine Andreas will perform an evening of song featuring the 2012 Cabaret Junior Fellows (Aug. 8); with Veanne Cox slated to perform 40 Naked Women, A Monkey, and Me - In Concert (Aug. 10). A grand cabaret finale will take place Aug. 11 with performances from the 2012 Festival participants. For more information, visit www.theoneill.org.

The Eugene O'Neill Theater Center was founded in 1964 and is based in Waterford, CT. Programs at the Center include the Puppetry Conference, Playwrights Conference, Critics Institute, Music Theater Conference and the National Theater Institute. The Monte Cristo Cottage, O'Neill's childhood home, is also owned and operated by the group.