Patricia Nesbitt has a dream that she is hoping Bermuda buys into. The veteran entertainer wants to put the Island on the map as a performing arts centre, and she is looking for talented people to help to make it happen.

First up under the banner of Patricia Nesbitt Collaborative is a field trip to the United States, where college-age students will learn more about the creative industry and how to prepare themselves.

She is also looking for casts and supporting teams for four plays she is planning to run at Fourways Inn, beginning in January.

A television show is also in the works. Filming for the Sex In the City-type show is due to take place this autumn.

“I have a dream of Bermuda being an off-Broadway centre,” Mrs Nesbitt said.

“After winning the VIP Excellence Award for Production Services two years ago, I gave an impassioned speech about why I didn’t understand why we couldn’t have a blossoming performing arts programme in Bermuda.

“What we have is not structured so that people who have a talent can go off and market themselves.

“There’s no agency — although we do have the Bermuda Entertainment Union.”

The CedarBridge Academy drama teacher founded Jabulani Repertory Company in the 1990s. She has based her upcoming Four Plays at Fourways on that early venture with Dusty Hind.

“We produced four plays in repetition at the Hamilton Princess,” she said. “That essentially meant a person could see a different play each weekend during the off-season, from November to March.

“Three years in I left the group and began to think about original theatrical works in Bermuda. There was no library, no structure, no facility in place to honour works by local artists.”

She set up The Company in response to that. Between 1999 and 2009, it produced the “quality, original theatrical works” she felt were lacking in Bermuda. “So many people here have talent and would like to work in the creative industry, but unless you create the job yourself or leave for another country, there’s not much opportunity — hence, Patricia Nesbitt Collaborative Ltd.

“The goals are to execute four projects in one year including, but not limited to, cocktail theatre and a work-study programme for college students.”

Students will have to audition to take part in the work-study programme. Successful applicants will spend August 2 through 23 in Atlanta, Georgia.

“We’ll do a field trip to Atlanta and explore the arts and learn about how to audition for a theatrical company,” Mrs Nesbitt said.

“They’ll see live performances and students will return home with a headshot and a professional resume.”

The students’ audition pieces will be woven into a local production that will take place after the Atlanta trip.

Mrs Nesbitt will host a meeting at Fourways Inn on Friday for actors, comedians, singers, dancers, directors, producers, ushers, costume and stage designers, make-up artists, marketing professionals — anyone who wants to work in theatre.

“I’m looking to form a collaborative with individuals and organisations that support the development of a performing arts industry in Bermuda,” she said. “[The meeting is] an opportunity for people to come and hear plans for the year and listen to the ideas that people have.”

Scripts for the January shows and Muse, the television show penned by Mrs Nesbitt, will be available at the two-hour meeting, which begins at 5.30pm.

The Broadway musical Ain’t Misbehavin’; Wilson’s Weekend, a comedy by Bermudian Ron Lightbourne; LOL, a showcase of stand-up comedians and Hornswoggled, a play by Mrs Nesbitt, are all on the bill for Four Plays at Fourways. Auditions take place at Fourways Inn on Tuesday, July 7 from 1pm. Call 536-6248 or e-mail patricia.nesbitt@gmail.com for an appointment.