A Journey Through Time: The Berkeley Theatre Library revisits some of the most memorable performances from the past four years ― Sister Act, Sister Act 2, The Greatest Showman, and The Colour Purple. Ahead of the show, cast members Callahj Simons and Ja’Leiyah Johnston spoke with The Royal Gazette about bringing these fan favourites back to the stage.

Q: What are the roles you play in the show, and how do you prepare for them?

JJ: I play multiple roles in the play. I am Celie [in The Colour Purple], I'm Lettie [in The Greatest Showman] and I'm Deloris [in Sister Act]. I also sing as part of the ensemble. I prepare by standing in front of a mirror in my house and saying my lines, and then coming to practices.

CS: I play Sofia in The Colour Purple and I play two roles in Sister Act. I'm an albino character in The Greatest Showman and I’m part of the ensemble. Any time that I'm not on stage, I try to sing ― I practice even if I'm riding on my bike ― and then I obviously practice on stage as well.

Q: What has been your favourite part of A Journey Through Time?

CS: I think it's just being able to go through the plays again, refining them, and also, I guess, reframing different characters within the play; learning more about another character that you perhaps didn't play before.

Q: Which character or scene pushed you the most as a performer?

CS: For me, it would definitely be Sofia. I'm not the quietest person, but I'm also not the most rambunctious or obnoxious person ― but Sofia is, so I have to channel that in a way. It's the same with singing. I have a pretty soft voice, but Sofia [is louder].

JJ: I play characters that are very lively and know how to express [themselves] and I don't really do that much. Lettie isn't afraid to be who she is, because she knows who she is and being her, playing her, was [a great] experience because [it made me feel I was] strong and I can do [anything]. It really pushed me to be the best I can be.

Q: How did you combine the scenes from different shows to make a smooth performance?

CS: At first we [only had The Greatest Showman and Sister Act and we wanted to] add [something] to create more depth. We decided The Colour Purple is a strong piece. Berkeley has done The Colour Purple before, but a long time ago. So I think finding transitions for each of the scenes wasn't a difficult element, but it was definitely something that we had to determine before we started. It did take a lot of time to figure out how that would look and I think we stumbled across something that works and with the narration that we have, it ties everything together.

Q: How has your view of theatre changed through being a part of Berkeley drama productions?

CS: The community that we've built in the theatre programme, we understand that at times you may not be having the best day for the stage. [You] might come on, [your] voice may not be there that day, but we push, we encourage. So I think resilience is something that we definitely have demonstrated throughout this whole process. And so theatre even assists in that way, in teaching anyone resilience.

JJ: Theatre has really pushed me to become the better me. I'm still shy, but I've really come far. Before, I wouldn't have even done this interview. When they asked me to be a part of The Greatest Showman, at first, I was like, no, but then I saw how it was coming together, and I loved the community and the people.

Q: Any words of encouragement for others who might still be too nervous to join?

JJ: You never know what might happen. It can really help you to express yourself.

CS: Step outside of your comfort zone and step into what could be for you. I was actually very hesitant to join the theatre programme [but] I'm so happy that I did it. And even now, I’m in my third year and I'm also a dual enrolment student at Berkeley [and the Bermuda College], and also have other leadership capacities at Berkeley, and I'm like, ‘OK, you don't really have the time for this, but you're gonna make the time, because it's more about the community and what you're here for.’ And so if me being in a production can encourage someone to step outside of their comfort zone, I'll do that. It’s all about continuity, and we really want [other actors] to be here when we leave.

Q: Why should people come out and see the show?

CS: It's not just going to be a regurgitation of what you've seen before. It's going to be different, fresh, new. It’s a journey through time.

• A Journey Through Time: The Berkeley Library of Productions takes place at the school on Thursday, from 6.30pm to 8.30pm. Tickets, 25, are available at ptix.bm and at the school’s main office, between 8am and 4pm