As a part of the ongoing New York Dance Festival, sponsored by the New York Institute of Dance and Education, students had the opportunity to develop their talents in various aspects of musical theater.

Students showcased these talents during the New York Musical Theater Project performance of “A Cabaret” held Friday evening at the NYIDE studio in Auburn.

“The base of acting is finding your true honesty, your emotional honesty,” said the studio's executive producer Sean McLeod. “Emotional honesty is not only the foundation of acting it is the foundation of life.”

Students, ranging in age from 13 to 25, studied various areas of theater performance techniques such as acting, vocal performances, dramatic study, musical theater dance and choreography.

Script design, stage crew and stage management techniques were also studied.

In a comedic performance about a trip to Wal-Mart to purchase a goldfish, Jillian Andrews was able to overcome her shyness for public speaking.

Andrews learned how to properly write and assemble the choreography of her performance.

Rhea Henry expressed a passion for her studies and said someday she would like to own and operate her own studio.

“I would like to give students the opportunity to become more creative and follow their dreams just like I am,” she said.

The old adage that you should never jump off of a bridge just because your friends do, was brought to life through a performance by Paul Noga.

The skit showed why following others into unsafe situations is not a good idea. Noga displayed this message with a friend's request to ride a little red wagon down a hill.

According to McLeod, theater performance is not only creativity but finding yourself and who you truly are deep inside.

“I am tough,” he admitted with a laugh. “But I like to keep it real.”