Bermuda set to showcase its talent

Next month, Bermuda College will be abuzz with singing, dancing and comedy as part of a two-night talent show, American Idol-style.

Bermuda College Players Drama Club students will compete in front of a panel of celebrity judges in the BC Got Talent Show at City Hall Theatre on April 7 and 8. The eight contestants are singers Claire DeCouto and Malachi Johnson, dancers Cynarra Phillips, Leonate Burgess and Lavon Thomas, musicians Bad Current, rapper Rayshun Evans and comedian Shaun Rubaine.

Also, two original plays written by Bermuda College drama teacher Cha’Von Clarke will be performed by the students — one on each night. There will be a student art exhibition in the lobby as well as presentations by global education programme Up With People towards which proceeds from the event will go. Hiphop singer and BC alumni Kombat (aka Jason Clarke) will MC for the evening.

The winners of the talent competition will get a free recording or video at Shane Woodley’s studio Near Future Records, the opportunity to perform in the lounge at the Fairmont Hamilton Princess and an exclusive interview on Tha Underground radio show.

The judges are former Jay-z music producer, Shane Woodley, Up with People alumni president (Bermuda) Sloane Wilson, international reggae artist Clinark Dill and the dancer, artist and poet Live Wires. Singer Lorrita Tucker will replace Mr. Woodley on the second night. They will make comments about each of the eight contestants then the audience’s vote counts towards the final result.

Ms Clarke said: “This is a great opportunity to celebrate our students. We do plenty to celebrate the young children but we can forget the college age students and they are doing some great things on the island. A donation from the proceeds will assist 20 Bermudian students to go off with Up With People, which offers students an opportunity to travel the world, learn a routine and gain exposure before they come back and get their college degree.”

On the first night, the audience will see four talent acts, a play and then the final four acts followed by a presentation by Up With People. At the end of the night the ‘Fave Four’ will be announced.

On the second night there will be two talent acts, a play, then Up With People then two then the winners will be announced.

The first night’s play is Famous — a surprise delivery teaches Ricki a lesson about responsibility while he struggles to complete his play entry for the popular BMDS Famous for Fifteen Minutes competition. 

The second night’s play is The Gentlemen’s Game “Incarcerated, Frustrated and Victimized...” In a courtroom, four young men who share their heartfelt stories about what led to bad choices and sad results in their lives.

Two-night ticket packages are $25 for students, regular tickets $35 and patron tickets $50. One-night student tickets are $15, regular tickets are $20 and $30 for patron tickets (special groups of ten or more ticket prices are also available).

The donation to Up with People (UWP) will help 20 young aspiring local performers as they journey around the world to make their mark with UWP. A presentation by UWP at the show will provide further information.