IN planning the Ruth Seaton James Centre for the Performing Arts, its directors hoped to provide more than a mere venue for entertainment. In mind was a state-of-the-art centre, one from which a high calibre of visual, performing and cultural arts might be studied and celebrated.

That opportunity was realised when the facility - formerly known as the Ruth Seaton James Auditorium after the island's first black Registrar General and Parliamentary Registrar - reopened after renovation in 1998.

For Bermuda, the multi-purpose auditorium marked a first. Specially equipped for music, theatre, dance, film and other large performance events, it boasted 643 seats, a green room, two fully-equipped rehearsal studios and five dressing rooms.

In comparison to what the island had previously seen, it was elaborate, agreed the Centre's manager, Emilygail Dill. However, she said, such an all-encompassing facility was necessary for the role it was hoped it would play in developing and showcasing local talent and furthering Bermuda's links with international artists.

"We recognised the need for increased exposure to a high calibre of cultural, visual and performing arts to be available for our students and staff, the year-round residents, and the seasonal visitors to Bermuda," she explained.

"(We thought it would) not only help to address the demands of our tourist and general markets, but enable our students to become aware of the tremendous opportunities that are available to them through the various art disciplines and inspire them to hone their gifts and develop them to their fullest potential."

To that end, the Arts in Education Initiative was established, its aim to utilise the Centre to its full artistic potential in a way that would complement the student curriculum in place at CedarBridge Academy. The first project, a visit from Atlanta's Morehouse College Glee Club and Quartet, met with success.

"The interaction between our students and the young men of Morehouse positively impacted on the self-esteem of our pupils and continues to inspire them to strive to achieve like these individuals," Mrs. Dill said.

"Though the project was primarily educational, it is believed that it had a significant impact both culturally and socially for our students and the Bermuda community as a whole. Resimunity as a whole. Residents and tourists alike attended the performances and thoroughly enjoyed the presentation."

Since that performance in 2001, each year has seen a celebrated professional on stage at the Centre under the Arts in Education Initiative. In 2002, award-winning tenor soloist Lawrence Brownlee took centre stage. Vivian Deyone Douglas, a Bermudian soprano soloist who has performed to rave reviews across America, followed in May this year.

JUST as successful as the Arts in Education Initiative have been the relationships forged with facilities, theatre groups and other overseas-based organisations. One collaboration, with Edward Rhodes, proved particularly fruitful, Mrs. Dill said. The renowned gospel music producer was so impressed with the talent he found here, he intends to return to the island this September to record his first album.

"Each spring, we've brought in a professional artist that will interact with young people. We audition and hold Master classes for the students and (together) they put on a performance which helps defray the cost of bringing (the professional) in.

"But we've also done a few other collaborative efforts with companies overseas where they actually have incorporated Bermudian performers (into the show). (It) helps to build their resum?s and gives them the opportunity to work with international artists.

"One of the performers, Edward Rhodes, was so impressed he's going to record a solo project of his own here, using Bermudian band members and Bermudian choir members. It means they will all come together for that live recording, here, at the Ruth Seaton James Centre for the Performing Arts. So, we're looking forward to that, live in Bermuda."

Each year, the Centre plays host to select performances as part of the Bermuda Festival. Taken over, from time to time, by various schools and artistic groups, it this year served as the stage for the island's first student drama competition. Its most frequent users, of course, are CedarBridge's own students.

In addition to the high school's Christmas and spring productions, its Performing Arts Department presents an annual performing arts festival and a performance series each year, from centre stage.

"We wanted to provide a fully-functional facility that would assist performers here in Bermuda; a place where they can come to perform and perfect their craft," Mrs. Dill said. "We also want to provide a pool of technicians.

"That's one of the challenges that we've found. There isn't a whole lot to draw from when it comes to what's required in order to have a really professional production. But certainly the future looks very promising with some of the things that are in the works for our young people and the community as a whole.

"What has helped have been some of the connections that we've been able to make outside of Bermuda and the possibility for our performers to be exposed in the international marketplace."

THERE are major benefits to be gained by those involved with the Ruth Seaton James Centre for the Performing Arts or any specialised arts programme, Mrs. Dill said. Benefits, she added, which are useful in other aspects of life as well.

"The way some people speak about the arts is they look at it as the alternative for the kid who doesn't do as well," she said. "But statistics show that students who excel in the arts tend to be more well-rounded; they have a higher success rate.

"If you look at the most successful performing arts institutions, (their success isn't based on the number of) their students who go on to study the arts, but the fact that their students are getting into the top schools and they're the top students when they go on to college.

"The arts teach you discipline, they teach you teamwork. All the characteristics that are essential for success in life, you learn if you're involved in the arts and that's what we seek to do."