If your aim is to be on the silver screen, to perform in a theatre outside of Bermuda or to dance at the Royal Opera House, then The Success Series may be something for you.

Auditions for the Success Series 2008 get underway this Saturday at City Hall Theatre.

Kevin Bean of KDB Productions explained that the Success Series is a three-part event and that Saturday's auditions are only for Singing for Success.

Events for Dancing for Success and Acting for Success will take part in June and September respectively.

The initial Success Series took place two years ago, explained Mr. Bean.

"That was the pilot programme," he said. "It was a sold out performance and I gave away $7,000 in scholarships toward the dance schools at that time."

What this provided was an opportunity for potential sponsors and Government to see that there was a need for this kind of event here in Bermuda.

"The basis of this for me is 100 percent education, because I think that it is the one thing that we lack as entertainers, there is a lot of emphasis being put on academics but not a lot on post secondary education in the arts."

Mr. Bean, who attended the Neighborhood Playhouse School of Theater and the New York Film Academy, said he believes the schools are doing their part but more should be done.

"They are getting their sound and lights and it is a really good thing, but now we need to start pushing post secondary education," said Mr. Bean."When I was ready to go to school there wasn't really a whole lot of opportunities if you wanted to be an actor or a singer. So in any case this is what it is all about, it is about giving back to the kids.

"After the three sets of auditions are finished, the Success Series will take those talents discovered on the road with the Showtime Bermuda Tour.

"We leave on November 4 with the winners of the show, along with the band, background vocalists and we will put together an ensemble piece," explained Mr. Bean. "We will travel to Vegas and then back to New York City, to perform at the Apollo Theatre, before coming back home.

"His mission is to provide education and experience vital in the real world to his talented finds.

"We are trying to give something more than a token; we are trying to give a solid education," said the actor, who performed in an off-Broadway show.

"For instance I have a scholarship at the Neighborhood Playhouse in New York City. They didn't blink an eye and they gave me a scholarship for the winner.

The Berklee College of Music, The Juilliard School of Music, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and The LA Music Academy have provided other scholarships.

"So we have very reputable schools involved and we are looking to be able to give over $100,000 in scholarships and that is the biggest prize I have ever seen," he said.

"I am so grateful to Government and the private sector for stepping in, because I have really been pushing the education and the arts, which to me is the best way to see this through to a reality."

Next year's plans will incorporate other forms of theatre and background entertainment.

"We have plans for lighting designers, sound reinforcement and production management to go off and study with scholarships," he said.

"So there is a whole lot planned for the future, but we are not trying to saturate it, we are trying to do this, to get the word out and then go for it from there."

He added: "We have Tempo coming to Bermuda to film this, which is a real big deal with lots of exposure.

"We have music magazines coming down, and a couple of artists are coming to endorse the project.

"It will be judged by overseas judges, so it is going to be really big event.

"We are trying to make it a professional event from top to bottom and we'd like for it to get to a place where people feel it is a big deal to be a part of the Success Series Competition.

"When asked about the requirement on ages of the entrants, Mr. Bean said: "There is no age requirement, except to say that if you are able to go to school in 2009, it is open to you."

So a lot of fourth and final year students will be able to go, but as far as the maximum age, if you are able to stop what you are doing and go away, then it is open to you too."

But if you have a great job, perhaps, you will not be able to stop and leave the Island. So it will weed out those who are not eligible and it will find its own level."The auditions take place at City Hall on March 8 for Singing for Success.

"Timing has a lot to do with the amount of people who sign up, I am also bringing in an overseas judge for the audition, so it will be 100 percent impartial.

"At the auditions, we will choose the top five and all five will make it into the show and all five will also make it onto the tour.

"So it is a really big deal for them to get into the show, because even if they don't win the scholarship, they still win by being in the tour."

Of the tour, Mr. Bean added: "They will be backed up by a nine-piece band, backup vocals and I also have a 16-member choir.

He continued: "I say all the time that if you go out onto the street at lunchtime and stop the first five people, not one will be able to name at least five recognised signed (Bermudian) artists.

"That is a problem, because we know that we have lots and lots of talent here in Bermuda, but what is stopping us from making it?

"I don't know if I have the exact answer, but I do know that one of the answers is education, so if we start there then we can move on and that is my belief."

Dedication is also key, he added: "It is no longer good enough to just have a great voice, you've got to have some real tenacity, you've got to have some drive, because as we all know, not all of the best singers make it."

And some who are not necessarily great singers make it, because they have every intention of making it, and they are not going to stop until they make it."

The audition takes place at 10 a.m. at City Hall Theatre.

For non-registered participants, registration is $20 and you must arrive by or before 10.30 a.m.