Songwriters Cabaret Series

Cabaret Series Prepares Students for Careers on Stage and Screen

Point Park University’s renowned musical theatre program is debuting a brand-new Songwriters Cabaret Series, offering students the chance to perform in premier venues throughout their time in the university's Conservatory of Performing Arts.

The new Cabaret Series is the brainchild of Gary Kline, associate dean and artistic director of Point Park’s School of Theatre, Film and Animation, who previously launched a similar concept at Carnegie Mellon University.

At Point Park, the series will highlight the university’s commitment to preparing students for careers on stage and screen while fostering personal and professional connections between students and professionals currently writing songs and music for film, TV, theater and Broadway.

“This showcase is not only an extraordinary opportunity for our students to shine, but also for alumni, family, friends and the larger community to experience the rising stars of the musical theatre world,” Kline said. “It’s a chance for audiences to see the artistry of our student performers while directly supporting the annual Senior Showcase, which supports their introduction into the theater business in New York.”

With its first performance, the Songwriters Cabaret Series expands Point Park’s tradition of creative excellence and experiential opportunities, fostering the next generation of leading performers.

Inaugural Cabaret Series Features Kooman and Dimond

The Songwriters Cabaret Series begins November 23, 2025, at the Greer Cabaret Theater in Downtown Pittsburgh’s Cultural District. This event will provide students with a professional-level performance experience in front of family, friends, alumni and the public.

The inaugural show, "I Will Be Me – the Songs of Kooman and Dimond," will be presented by senior musical theatre majors. The Emmy-nominated songwriting team Kooman and Dimond, known for their work in musical theater and television, will collaborate with students to create the evening's entertainment.

About Kooman and Dimond

Kooman and Dimond are an Emmy-nominated songwriting duo celebrated for their emotionally rich and inventive work in musical theater and television. Both Carnegie Mellon University alumni, they have earned prestigious awards including the Fred Ebb Award and Jonathan Larson Grant. Their stage musicals include "Romantics Anonymous," "Dani Girl" and "The Noteworthy Life of Howard Barnes." They also wrote more than 150 songs for the Emmy-nominated Disney Junior series "Vampirina" and contributed to Netflix’s "Ridley Jones." Known for their blend of humor and humanity, their debut album "Out of Our Heads" showcases a range of Broadway voices. Kooman and Dimond continue to collaborate on groundbreaking projects that have gained international acclaim.

“We are incredibly excited to be returning to Pittsburgh, a city that is truly near and dear to our hearts. We're both Western Pennsylvania natives, met while we were students in Pittsburgh, and have had some of our earliest and most significant professional experiences here. It's always a joy to be back in the 'Burgh,” Kooman and Dimond said. “We're also thrilled to have the opportunity to work with this talented group of Point Park students. Point Park has a stellar reputation in the industry for producing brilliant performers, and we're honored to get to watch these students bring our songs to life.”

Join Us

Experience an unforgettable evening created in collaboration with songwriting duo Kooman and Dimond:

Sunday, November 23, 7 p.m.
Greer Cabaret Theater (655 Penn Avenue, Downtown Pittsburgh)
Doors open at 5:45 p.m. for in-theatre dining

Cost
$25 - $100 (depending on seat selection)
$10 tickets are also available for guests who prefer to watch a livestream simulcast in the lounge area.