MANILA -- There is something about the ocean, or bodies of water, that keeps theater actor-director Steven Conde afloat in life these days. Truth be told, he's been dealing with penguins, a hippo and some land-based dancing and singing animals for weeks now.

We're being figurative of course, because Conde is now directing "Madagascar: A Musical Adventure" for Atlantis Imaginarium Young Theatre or AIYT, the newest baby of Atlantis Theatrical Entertainment Group or ATEG. From the sound of it, there's a tune there somewhere and you can't just help but smile with ATEG giving birth to AIYT.

Conde has been with Atlantis for seven years, he said a day before the opening of "Madagascar," which runs all weekends from August 2 to 18 at Maybank Performing Arts Theater at the BGC Arts Center in Taguig City.

But for theater lovers over the years, his name has also been linked with cerebral, emotionally intense productions like Twin Bill Theater's "Suicide, Inc." and the Pulitzer prize-winning "Wit". He clarified that while he directed Twin Bill's plays, he is not a co-proprietor of the theater company.

Like Conde, the musical's cast members are also identified with many of Atlantis' previous productions.

We've seen the Dreamworks movie "Madagascar" a lot of times, with our children and pamangkins. We know the story of Alex the Lion, the star entertainer at Central Park Zoo in New York City who escapes and embarks on a fun-filled adventurous journey to Madagascar.

Here in the stage musical version, Alex will be played by Markus Mann, fresh from his role as member of The Drifters in Atlantis' recent production of "Beautiful: The Carole King Musical."

Alex's friends are Marty the Zebra (Nelsito Gomez), Gloria the Hippo (Sarah Facuri) and Melman the Giraffe (Altair Alonso). King Julien of Madagascar will be played by the gifted actor-singer-comedian, the very natural George Schulze.

Some of them have been Conde's co-actors in previous Atlantis productions and we could only imagine how they are during rehearsals.

A few days before opening night, we threw Conde some questions and he was game to answer them all.

Q: Kindly tell us about how 'Madagascar' was conceptualized. Who brought up the idea and how did it land on your lap?

A: The Atlantis Imaginarium Young Theater team landed the material of "Madagascar: A Musical Adventure" after several discussions and brainstorming sessions with Atlantis Theatrical director, Mr. Bobby Garcia.

We were looking for a show that paralleled the nature of Atlantis' roster of big hit musicals. It had to be current and out of the box. Upon discovering "Madagascar," we unraveled just how good of a fit it was. We did our research and found the material to be highly engaging, imaginative and especially appealing to this generation's youth.

I am so grateful that Atlantis, under Mr. Garcia's leadership, then chose me to direct it.

Q: Is this the first time you're going to direct a musical for children?

A: I have directed musicals that catered to children before but mostly for smaller organizations such as schools and churches.

Q: You were known for directing cerebral, incendiary (my personal description) straight plays like "Dog Sees God," "Wit," "My Name Is Asher Lev" and "Suicide, Inc." Were there adjustments on your part as director for something light and funny like "Madagascar"?

A: Directing shows for children is a welcome challenge for me. Not because I am used to directing more cerebral work but because there is so much care and detailed thought needed to stage material for kids.

It is such a big responsibility to make sure that you are telling the story as clearly as you can and with careful attention to how your directorial choices can impact each young audience member's heart and mind. As for light and funny vs. serious and heavy, it really takes the same amount of focus, research and preparation.

What I've enjoyed, though, is how much laughter and fun transpires during rehearsals, something you have hours and hours of when directing these lighthearted shows.

Q: Are you going to be the regular director for all of Imaginarium's future productions?

As of the moment, I am spearheading Imaginarium's activities, yes.

Q: By the way, who thought of the name Imaginarium?

A: We were throwing in possible names for the group and I thought about a theatrical term that can encapsulate what kind of shows this "theater for young audiences" company will put up. They had to spur imagination and creativity. Thus, Imaginarium -- a place devoted to and for exactly that.

Q: You also handle Atlantis' summer workshops for kids, teens and young adult? So, some of the cast members were graduates of the workshops?

A: Yes, I do. Yes, some of them are.

Q: In general, is there a chance for workshop alumni to join future productions of AIYT and ATEG?

A: Yes, definitely. We always want to give our workshoppers opportunities to further their growth as actors. AIYT is one of the platforms they can use to do that.

Q: Are you hoping you will be officially named as AIYT's artistic director?

A: Uhm. Ask na lang them for that. Basta for now, I am the director of "Madagascar."

"Madagascar: A Musical Adventure" runs until August 18 at the Maybank Performing Arts Theater in BGC Arts Center, Taguig City.