In the third of a series of articles, Ian Poitier, CAPAS Project Lead, looks at the benefits the school may have for our nation.

In the previous two articles, we considered why there is such an overwhelming need for a new ‘Creative and Performing Arts School of The Bahamas’ (CAPAS), examined the many benefits to be had from this new cultural and economic sector, and considered what a ‘Life in a Day at CAPAS’ might look like.

But, like every training institution, CAPAS is not an end in itself.

CAPAS will exist in an ecosystem where, before training, potential students will have invested to some degree in their talent, and unlocked a passion that will push them towards exploring a full-time career.

Mindful of the need to support and develop the entire ecosystem, even now, while CAPAS is being launched, much time and care is therefore being taken to secure opportunities before and after CAPAS.

Life before CAPAS

The performing arts are one of the few areas in life which offer ‘cradle-to-grave’ opportunities.

Even though the minimum age for entry into CAPAS is 18yrs, there’s no need to wait to start training or to begin to participate in the performing arts.

For those in primary or secondary school, there are a number of classes and clubs available which can help to nurture and develop your talent.

The school syllabus has been updated to weave the performing arts into the curriculum.

And we will develop pathways for those who participate in the National Arts Festival, who may be considering a professional career.

There is no upper age limit to be enrolled into CAPAS.

For those who have left school, perhaps even some time ago, training and participation is still available.

There are a number of choirs and community theatre groups (such as The Dundas) which provide opportunities to participate in productions, and CAPAS is exploring ways to support them.

Career paths after CAPAS

After mastering the various skills in the creative, production and performing arts, we expect that CAPAS graduates go on to enjoy glorious careers in the creative industries at home and around the world.

While it is not for the government (or anyone for that matter) to guarantee anyone’s career, the Government of The Bahamas is committed to developing the cultural and creative infrastructure to allow opportunity to flourish.

Negotiations are already well-underway to bring international TV & Film productions to The Bahamas, to offer meaningful roles and positions to trained Bahamians.

In fact, CAPAS students will have access to their first international production in The Bahamas as early as Spring 2026.

Plans are already being developed for a purpose-built National Centre for the Performing Arts.

The Centre will be home to a number of professional resident companies – acting, dancing, singing, instrumental – who will offer repertory seasons, and tour nationally and internationally.

In order to support long-running and short-form TV and film productions, consideration is being given to building TV & Film studios, supported by a production village, to provide accommodation and facilities for cast and crew of several hundred people.

A Production Fund is being explored to provide funding for Bahamian productions on stage and screen.

Entrepreneurially-minded graduates will be encouraged to set up production companies, to mount productions for residents and visitors. These might take place in formal spaces, or have more socially-minded objectives, and perform in churches, schools, hospitals and correction facilities.

For those who wish to follow other paths, the performing arts shape skills that are gold in commercial and public life: impactful communication, confidence, emotional intelligence, timing, storytelling etc.

The benefits of a professional training in acting offer so much more than just “dressing up and pretending”.

To train to be a professional actor is to embark on a deep enquiry into the reality of what it’s like to be human, and then to recreate that reality to the extent that others recognise it as an observed and credible truth.

To write or direct or produce is to be constantly manufacturing and marshalling ideas in a “creative factory”.

To use technical skills in lighting and sound, or hair and make-up, and take them into specialized story-telling, is to create spectacle and a kind of magic.

Many international figures - Presidents and Prime Ministers, Governors, Mayors and Parliamentarians - started life as actors.

The current President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and former US President Ronald Reagan, immediately spring to mind.

Their performance skills provided a powerful foundation to their eventual lives in public service.

We cannot say exactly what the future holds, but we can confidently predict “A Great Flourishing” in our country, one which will enrich our souls, our pockets and our culture.

The worst thing and the best thing that could happen

So what happens now?

Auditions for entry into CAPAS will be held from mid-May. Specific dates and other information will be announced later this week.

If you – yes YOU! – think that a year’s foundational training at CAPAS can unlock the door to your passion and your dreams, then come and audition.

If you know someone who you think would benefit from professional training in the performing arts, then encourage them to audition.

The worst thing that could happen is you spend 90 minutes meeting a bunch of like-minded people, passionate about acting, singing and dancing.

If the audition panel think that you’re not quite ready for intensive training, then they will guide you on how to prepare yourself further before coming back to the next round of auditions.

But the absolute best thing that could happen is that your audition provides a stepping-stone to your starting training in a few months’ time in September 2025.

And….. The Government of The Bahamas will pay for your tuition!

So… start preparing for your audition now.

Learn a 2-minute acting monologue.

Prepare to sing 2 minutes of a song.

Get into shape so that you can dance (if you’ve had training) or move (if you’ve not) to the best of your ability.

The audition panel will be made up of experienced Bahamian and international creatives, who are willing you to succeed.

Full details will be announced shortly.

Be among the first to start this new adventure in the Bahamian cultural and creative economy.

In a time when the world seems to be turning upside down, when life seems to throw at us more questions than answers, in this time, you can still respond to the whispers in your heart.

Dreams really can come true.

For more details go to Capasbahamas.com.