The Tribune

In the second of a series of three articles, Ian Poitier, the project lead for the Creative and Performing Arts School of The Bahamas, takes a look at the new school in more detail.

With the recently-announced launch of ‘The Creative and Performing Arts School of The Bahamas’ – CAPAS - The Bahamas is on the threshold of ushering in a new era for the Creative Economy.

By offering world-class training across the range of performance and production skills needed for careers on the stage, screen and sound-based industries, CAPAS is the cornerstone upon which we can develop a new economic sector in the Orange Economy.

This investment in creativity, talent and skill will, without doubt, spark a great Cultural Flourishing.

There will be too many enthusiastic, ambitious, highly-skilled people wandering around for it not to happen.

Don’t you just need some talent?

It’s a fair question - and a common assumption, that the world of performing arts is filled with those who simply have it.

But the truth is, talent alone is not enough.

It may spark the journey, but it’s training, discipline, and craft that carry it forward.

Yes, there are rare cases where instinct has taken someone far.

But more often, true and lasting success in this industry comes from refining that instinct through intentional, rigorous development.

Talent may open the door - but it’s training that keeps it open.

What CAPAS will teach

For this inaugural year, starting in September 2025, CAPAS will offer full and part-time one-year Foundation Courses.

These will be blended courses, offering classes in acting, singing and dancing, and running for 28 weeks divided into three terms of 12 weeks, ten weeks and six weeks.

Even though students may have one main skill, they will need to develop some ability across the three disciplines.

Training will take the form of technique classes, workshops, rehearsals and performance, seminars, tutorials, lectures and masterclasses.

The part-time course will take place over three three-hour sessions per week: two evening sessions and one weekend.

The main Production Arts programme covering other creative and technical courses will start in January 2026.

However, as discussions are already at an advanced stage to bring at least one major international TV production to film in Spring 2026, CAPAS may start courses in the Autumn term to ensure that Bahamian students have the skills needed to work on that production.

After this first year of operation, CAPAS will move into teaching the full-time three-year performance courses leading to a Bachelor of Arts.

Courses and modules for performance are being designed in partnership with other international conservatoires.

The creative and technical programmes are being designed in partnership with the United Talent Agency (www.unitedtalent.com) and with The Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute (https://btvi.edu.bs).

This is to ensure that the training being offered is current and at the level required by industry.

CAPAS students

CAPAS will be a tertiary-level institution, offering professional training to international industry standard.

Minimum age for admission will be 18.

There is no maximum age limit.

CAPAS will welcome adult Bahamians at every age and stage of life.

In line with its policy on tertiary education for all students, The Government of The Bahamas has confirmed that all Bahamians admitted to CAPAS will attend for free.

As CAPAS grows and develops, we aim to become a ‘Centre of Excellence’, able to attract international students.

Auditions will be held in May 2025, with full details to be announced shortly.

Candidates will be expected to take part in a dance/movement workshop, sing a song, and present an acting monologue no longer than 3 minutes.

Sample pieces will soon be posted to the CAPAS website (www.capasbahamas.com).

CAPAS teachers: Train the trainers

CAPAS teaching staff ideally will made up predominantly of Bahamians.

While there are already a number of qualified and experienced Bahamians around, we appreciate that some may need additional training support.

And so, from the beginning, CAPAS will also offer free ‘Train the Trainers’ programmes so that interested Bahamians will be offered training opportunities.

There will be five workstreams to deliver the teaching and administration of CAPAS: Performance, Production, Operations, Academic and Registry, and Entrepreneurship and Partnerships.

The ‘Performance’ and ‘Production’ strands will consist of full and part-time teachers engaged in teaching practical technical skills.

Operations covers ‘Finance’, ‘Human Resources’, ‘Facilities’ and other key business functions.

‘Academic and Registry’ will deal with Admissions, Student and Staff Services, and CAPAS Administration.

The ‘Entrepreneurship & Partnership’ Stream will cover Marketing and Communications, Fundraising, Community Outreach and short courses.

Positions will begin to be advertised in the coming weeks, with interviews scheduled to be held in May and June.

The CAPAS space

As is the case with every educational and training institution, what takes place inside the building is vastly more important the building itself.

That said, the design principle articulated over a century ago, holds true: the form of the building must follow its function.

We need dance studios with mirrors and sprung floors; music and production studios with instruments and sound proofing; audio-visual production studios and edit suites; acting and voice training studios; performance spaces; offices and classroom;s and other spaces that will facilitate the training programmes.

CAPAS will refurbish the old ‘Phil’s Supermarket’ building on Gladstone Road to ensure that it meets our needs.

While the government will support the refurbishment of the space to a degree, fundraising efforts are already underway to develop a space that delivers both on the functional needs, as well as the creative and inspirational ambitions of those who inhabit it.

The CAPAS opportunity

CAPAS will succeed best when it has active support from all sections of the community.

Support the dreams and ambitions of those around you who wish to become students.

Encourage those who wish to work full or part-time to signal their interest.

For decades Bahamians have clamoured for more to be done to support our culture and the creative economy.

The moment has arrived.

For further details, please visit the CAPAS website and leave your details at www.capasbahamas.com.

CAPAS! Coming soon…