The Bermuda Musical and Dramatic Society’s Famous for 15 Minutes festival is back, with six short plays set to take the stage at Daylesford on various nights starting Thursday. The Royal Gazette spoke with three of the directors: Janice McLean (Rule 34 by Owain Johnston), Milo Roberts (Al Pals by Allison Fradkin), and Anil Chatergoon (Twue Wuv by Adam Gauntlett).

Q: What got you involved with Famous for 15 this year?

JM: I directed another Famous For 15 back in 2016. I enjoy Famous for 15 because it requires a shorter time commitment and allows you to add your own vision to a never-before-seen production

MR: For as long as I can remember I have been involved in any and every aspect of the arts I can get my hands on. I had such a deep-seated love for performing, which eventually led me to moving overseas in order to attend an arts school for my last two years of secondary. Once I had graduated and returned to Bermuda I began to look for every possible way I could get involved in local productions, leading me to BMDS where I’ve since been able to work alongside some truly amazing artists on their tech team. After having worked backstage, in the booth, and onstage it felt almost natural to want to try the next department, which to me was directing.

AC: [Last year I was] a producer in the plays Mousetrap and Death after Dessert. I also wrote The Last Hurrah and There’s Too Much Rum in Dis Hurr Swizzle Bie in the production 24 Hours to Curtain …. Directing seemed to be a natural progression.

Q: What’s your play about?

JM: A parent-teacher meeting to discuss a situation which has arisen with a student and the differing perspectives each person has on the "situation”.

MR: Al Pals is a hilariously camp script, written by the totally tubular Allison Fradkin. The play follows the outgoing and confident Jeanette Aqua (Callie Lucas) and her more reserved and intentional best friend, Phyllis McKeon (Nicole DaPonte) as they attempt to change the world, one parody song at a time. Inspired by the king of parody himself, Weird Al Yankovic (Jym Brier), the girls sing a song of empowerment, demanding their place at the tables of both iconic Eighties feminists, and powerful parody songwriters.

AC: The play is a romantic comedy centred around a guy returning home from work unexpectedly.

Q: What has been the biggest challenge you've faced so far?

JM: Co-ordinating everyone's very busy schedules in order to make sure we are as well prepared as we need to be.

MR: I’d say one of the biggest challenges I’ve faced throughout rehearsals has been building the confidence to give instructions to other artists. Directing is very much a conversation between each department in a theatre, especially between the director and their actors. While I enjoy keeping a very open dialogue regarding the show, there are definitely times where a director needs to hold steady in their decisions. I find that I definitely struggled with many things that came with being in charge of what a show looks like, I’ve had to ask things of other people when I’m used to being the one asked. Being able to stand strong in my choices and my needs was definitely a learning curve for me, however I’m for ever grateful to everyone involved for being so receptive and supportive.

AC: As rehearsals are sometimes five times a week, time management and balancing with work demands is a challenge. In addition, there are multifaceted aspects to a play. These include sound effects, lighting, costumes, props, set and opening and closing songs. Blending all of these elements for a polished play is a challenge in itself.

Q: What do you hope the audience takes away from your production?

JM: I hope the audience is not just entertained, but moved thinking about how the characters and their choices connect to their own lives.

MR: I hope the audience comes away from our show having had a good time and a good laugh. The show has such unique and lively characters that have the ability to handle subjects like the wage gap and the feminist movement in a way that stays true to both the cause and the girls fighting for it. It’s my greatest hope that the audience finds the joy in the show as well their own passion to fight against what’s unjust in the world, in their own way.

AC: That the energy of the writer, the actors, the producer, director and everyone involved is transposed onto the stage. The audience must be able to feel the passion of our cast and crew and most of all, have fun!

Q: Is directing something you would like to do again?

MR: It’s such a rewarding experience to get to see your own vision for a show come to life on stage, and to be able to build relationships with everyone involved as you work towards a similar goal. Famous for 15 has been an amazing way to learn the ropes of directing without feeling overwhelmed by the idea of a long play or working without some assistance. It’s such an inspiring experience where you can really get the chance to see each department shine. I would love to be able to direct again and try my hand both for longer stage shows and other avenues such as film.

AC: Definitely. I am grateful to my mentor, Grahame Rendell, for his expertise and guidance in this journey. Institutions such as the BMDS act as a catalyst in bringing forth talent and I am enthralled to be a part of this production.

• Famous for 15 will also feature Keep It In the Closet by Kayode George, directed by Rich Lathan; ME-ternity Leave by Helen Zoellner, directed by Emily Ross and To Survive by Danielle Frith, directed by Sheilagh Robertson. The show runs May 8 to 10 and May 14 to 16 at 8pm and May 17 at 6.30pm at Daylesford Theatre. Tickets are available atptix.bm