MTV
Base and the MTV
Staying Alive Foundation are inviting Nigerian actors to audition for the upcoming production of
TV drama of Shuga.
The Shuga producers are
looking to cast fresh new talent to fill a range of key male and
female roles in the award winning drama series, alongside Nigerian actor and
musician Ikubese Emmanuel Ifeanyichukwu and Kenyan actor, singer and
radio presenter Nick Mutuma. As well as a number of principal roles, two
minor parts will be chosen by public voting from a shortlist of six, with
voting taking place online at http://www.shuga.tv in August
2013.
“We are looking for real, raw
talent that is going to help bring the Shuga drama series alive for
Nigerian audiences,” said Georgia Arnold, Executive Director, MTV Staying Alive
Foundation, “With principle photography for Shuga just a few weeks
away, and the TV show premiering across Africa in December 2013 – this could be
a huge career boost for aspiring Nigerian actors and actresses.”
Speaking on behalf of MTV Base, Alex Okosi, Senior Vice President
& Managing Director, Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN) Africa,
commented, "MTV Base is delighted to offer this empowering opportunity for
Nigerian actors and actresses to be involved in this high quality drama series
that will resonate and make an impact with youth audiences around the globe.”
The
first two series of Shuga were filmed in Kenya between 2009 and 2011. Starring a
young cast of upcoming Kenyan actors and actresses, Shuga told a bitter-sweet
tale of love, loss, sex, heartbreak and relationships, set in the clubs, bars,
campuses and hangouts of contemporary Nairobi.
Fusing public health messaging with gripping storylines, Shuga
is part of a powerful 360-degree mass media prevention education
campaign designed to raise awareness about HIV prevention, teen pregnancy and
prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV in Nigeria. Recent research
among youth aged 18 to 24 has highlighted widespread ignorance about or
indifference to contraception, poor access to contraceptives, a significantly
high incidence of mother-to-child HIV transmission, gender-based violence in
the region, lack of knowledge about sexual transmission of HIV and the
individual HIV status. This year’s campaign seeks to promote HIV
reduction behaviours among this target population through encouraging HIV
counselling and testing, to motivate a reduction in the number of sexual
partners as well as promoting awareness about services for women who have
experienced gender-based violence.
Auditions will hold on Friday
26th and Saturday 27th July between 8am and 6pm at Protea Hotel, Ikoyi,
Westwood. Candidates must be a Nigerian within the ages of 18 and 55 with good
spoken English and no criminal record.
No previous acting experience is necessary.
Candidates are also to bring
along a photo ID as well as a good quality self portrait (minimum size: 7 cm x
5 cm) and must be available for filming in Lagos between August 12th
2013 and September 22nd 2013.
Shuga will premiere on MTV
Base (DStv Channel 322), Nigerian terrestrial broadcasters and other
MTV networks and third party broadcasters around the world from World
AIDS Day (1 December 2013).
Other elements of the Shuga campaign will include a radio
drama series, a peer educator programme, a comic book in Hausa and English, a
mobile information service, social media and a range of digital platforms.
To continue the conversation about Shuga, please go to www.shuga.tv, like Shuga
on www.facebook.com/MTVShuga,
or follow Shuga on Twitter @MTVShuga
using the hashtag #ShugaSuperstars.
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