The Berkeley Institute will be hosting its production of Fame tonight, tomorrow and Saturday evening. Showtime is at 7pm at the Berkeley Institute Cafetorium. Tickets are available at the main office or on www.bdatix.com.

Young Observer took the opportunity to go behind the scenes and meet some of the actors and actresses at their dress rehearsals earlier this week.

Teachers involved in the production include: Ms Nikia Manders (Dance Teacher/Choreographer & Instructional Leader for the Arts), Ms Shalane Dill (Drama Teacher/Director); Mr John Woolridge (Music Teacher/Vocal Director); Ms Karen Carlington (Music Teacher/Conductor); Ms Tenisha Dill (Visual Art Teacher/Set Designer); Mrs Christine Wellman (Visual Art Teacher/Set Designer).

Shavoy Mullings-Trott, 18

Mr Myers

My name is Shavoy Mullings-Trott and I play the role of Mr Myers the drama teacher. I am a senior at the Berkeley Institute and I have been a part of the arts department since my S1 year, which I have worked my way up from being an extra on stage to a leading role.

Overall, rehearsals for Fame have been extremely exciting with the aspect of collaborating with different artists, dancers and musicians to create an outstanding performance. However, rehearsals can be a bit challenging because I am put in a position where my weaknesses such as dancing and singing are needed.

Through practice, repetition, and experiences from previous performances I have been guided with expressing and understanding my role, I have made considerable progress. My role as the drama teacher is to guide the students through trials and tribulation, by pushing them to accomplish their dreams of future stardom. Through various exercises they develop self-confidence and self-empowerment which they use in their everyday lives. Mr Myers is a very dramatic man who has a passion for theatre and the craft of acting.

To further my education, I want to attend university with a high degree in accountancy. However, I’m not exactly set on just one career, I have other interests in graphic and interior design.

Katrina Moran, 17

Miss Esther Sherman

Miss Sherman is the English teacher at PA; she has to fight with the other teachers because they don’t care if the students are failing their academic subjects just as long as they are excelling in the arts. She was never talented at anything but English so she couldn’t be an actor, dancer or musician; so she became an English teacher.

She is very strict with the children and acts like she doesn’t care about them but she really does. She isn’t able to have children of her own so she treats her students like they are her own children. Although she is very hard on all of them and some of them would even say she is evil and doesn’t care about them, but in reality she only wants to see them succeed.

We have been having a lot of rehearsals and each and every one of them have been very productive. Our rehearsals are always very fun; the cast and crew always have a good time and were always laughing at something. We have fun but still work extremely hard to make the musical the best we possibly can. The rehearsals have been very long hours so we are all exhausted after rehearsals. Although we are rehearsing for long hours in preparation there is never a dull moment in rehearsals; especially when we are all tired and we start acting silly and we all go crazy.

For the first two years after I graduate I am attending the Bermuda College to obtain my associates degree in Early Childhood Development. Then I will be going away to Canada to study theatre. My career aspirations are to become an actress and to open my own performing arts preschool/primary school in Bermuda. The musical reminds me of the Berkeley Institute. The teachers inspire us to strive for greatness and to fulfil our dreams; much like the teachers in Fame. They all give up so much to help us whenever we need them, such as tutorials, rehearsal and even when we just need advice. The teachers in the Berkeley Institute Arts Department care about us like we are their own children. I am very thankful for all of them and I think everyone of the Berkeley students would say the same.

Yannick Matthews, 17 Tyrone Jackson

I proudly play Tyrone Jackson. Through all the time spent rehearsing, I’ve learnt quite a bit about Tyrone as a character. He evidently had a hard upbringing in the suburbs of New York, leaving him with the only way to express himself through dance; specifically hip-hop. He is fortunately accepted into PA as a dance major; however, this is an up-and-down journey for him. He encounters difficulty in his dance and English class, but eventually turns the situation in his favour and prevails.

Rehearsals have been quite an experience for me so far. I enjoy going to them each and every day. The atmosphere and people I’m surrounded by make every session an enjoyable one. To be honest some days are slow, usually when everyone has low energy. But when everyone comes with a positive mindset we accomplish our quota and sometimes even more, it’s definitely a team effort. I plan to study abroad and major in health sciences to work in the medical field. Another option for me is to study performing arts as well, as it is a field I thoroughly enjoy. I have not decided on which university I wish to attend yet.

I aspire to work in the medical field or work as an actor or musician.

Imani Edwards, 17

Iris Kelly

Iris Kelly is a talented ballet dancer who is believed to be extremely wealthy, but is later revealed that she is not. She is in an on-and-off relationship with Tyrone Jackson. I am very pleased with my role. Normally, I would be dancing but this year I have the pleasure of having an acting role. Rehearsals so far have been a bit challenging for me because instead of remembering just dances I have to remember my lines as well.

After Berkeley I plan on going straight away to get my bachelor’s degree in emergency nursing and a minor in dance at either Nova Southeastern University or Temple University. My goal and aspiration in life would be to come back Bermuda and work as an emergency nurse.

Lauren Genevieve, 17

Carmen Diaz

My character is a student at the High School of the Performing Arts, and is a triple threat. She is a high-spirited girl who aspires to quick stardom. If you want to learn more, come and see the show.

Rehearsals have been going well, and it is a great experience to witness the show coming together. I have enjoyed rehearsals immensely, particularly dancing. My character is a dancer, which has been fun for me because I love to dance but could not fit a dance class into my schedule. I aspire to have a career in the performing arts. I am currently applying to universities, and just returned from a college audition in London.