Thousands of aspiring actors from multiple Nigerian states flooded Planet One, Maryland, Lagos, on Saturday, August 12, to attend an open audition for “MTV Shuga”, the Award-winning hit TV drama series.
Trailing the return of MTV Shuga to Nigeria for season 6 and 7, a call for audition was announced and outstanding actors from the audition will land roles on the new seasons of the pan African TV drama series. Intending cast auditioned by acting out a script provided earlier on the MTV Shuga website. The acting hopefuls waited hours for their turns, forming queues that stretched well outside the perimeter of the audition venue. The panel of judges, which included movie directors; Tope Oshin, Ishaya Bako and Tolu Ajayi appraised the acting skills of participants.
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Speaking on the auditions for the new series, the Executive Director of the MTV Staying Alive Foundation and Senior Vice President of Social Responsibility for Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN), Georgia Arnold said:
“We are amazed by the great turn out at the auditions which offers a great platform to discover acting talent who can convey the MTV Shuga messaging. We are now poised to produce a really good drama that will trigger important conversations on S3xual health which will engender positive lifestyle choices amongst young people.”
Also speaking at a press briefing, Monde Twala, Vice President, BET, Youth & Music, Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN) Africa said.
“Young people want to get more from entertainment. They hope to walk away with something authentic; with messaging that reflects who they are and can guide them through the thick channel of dynamic life issues. At MTV Base we are pleased to continue to be a key and primary partner in the MTV Shuga project; making sure that we continue to spearhead this very important messaging that can change lives and empower young people”.
The MTV Shuga TV drama series, which has had five successful seasons in Nigeria, Kenya, and South Africa, will have a strong emphasis on family planning and contraception as well as other issues affecting young people; using gripping storylines portrayed by Nigerian talent.
Actors who were successful at the audition will be announced on a later date and will join returning cast members; Sharon Ezeamaka, Timini Egbuson and Jemima Osunde on set for the new season
Meanwhile, budding actors who were unable to attend the physical audition can also submit a short video audition on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter using the hashtag #MTVShugaAudition. A script is available on www.mtvshuga.com. The online auditions will be open till Wednesday 23 August 2017.
MTV Shuga is a multi-sectorial partnership, which is commissioned by the MTV Staying Alive Foundation, and is supported by MTV Base Africa, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
MTV Shuga is aired on 179 channels globally, reaching 720M people worldwide, airing in 61 countries. The sixth season of MTV Shuga will premiere on MTV Base (DStv Channel 322) and BET (DStv channel 129), as well as MTV networks and other third party broadcasters around the world in 2018.
