Something new for acting hopefuls

A great opportunity is in store for young acting hopefuls as they will get a chance to star in an award-winning drama series.

This is thanks to the MTV Staying Alive Foundation and MTV Base (DStv channel 322) who are inviting South African youth to audition for the upcoming production and TV drama called MTV Shuga on 15 October between 9am and 5pm at Bassline, Newtown.

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“We are looking for real, raw talent that is going to help bring the drama series alive for South African audiences. With principle photography for MTV Shuga just a few months away, and the TV show premiering across Africa in March next year – we are hoping to provide a huge career boost for aspiring South African actors and actresses, and discover some hidden talent who will play a vital role in tackling one of the country’s biggest health risks,” Georgia Arnold, executive director of MTV Staying Alive Foundation said.

MTV Shuga producers are looking to cast fresh home-grown talent to fill a range of male and female roles in the award-winning drama series, alongside returning cast members such as South African actress Mohau Mokoatle Cele, who plays the role of Bongi in the series. As well as a number of principal roles, four minor roles will be chosen through online and on-the-ground auditions.

Open auditions for MTV Shuga will be held in Newtown and to be eligible to audition, you must be a South African resident between the ages of 18 and 35, with good spoken English and a clean criminal record. No previous acting experience is necessary. Candidates are required to bring along their IDs and a good quality portrait of themselves (minimum size of 7cm x 5cm).

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Applicants must be available for filming in Johannesburg between December this year and January next year. For the first time, acting hopefuls who cannot attend the auditions can submit a short video of themselves auditioning for the part on Twitter or Instagram using the hashtag #MTVShuga5.

MTV Shuga is multimedia campaign and TV series that has been highlighting issues affecting young people in Africa for the last eight years. Independent research has shown that the series actively changes behaviour and attitudes to safe sex and HIV testing.

Set and filmed in the country for the first time, season five of MTV Shuga will include a new focus on storylines relevant to South African youth, including adolescent girls and their vulnerability to HIV infection and unintended pregnancy, alongside other storylines relating to sexual and emotional issues affecting young people.

The show will premiere on MTV Base (DStv Channel 322) and BET (DStv channel 129), other terrestrial broadcasters, other MTV networks and third party broadcasters around the world from 8 March next year.

Sample scripts and details are available at www.mtvshuga.com