! Just when you thought we were safe from the clutches of Big Brother it turns out we could be subject to more torturous acting with the new reality show Class Act.
Set to premiere on SABC1 on Saturday, 13 March 2010 at 18h30, the show is currently in pre-production. Right this moment: things are getting ready for the first round of auditions that curtain-up in Durban on Saturday, 30 January.
The concept: the search is on for a leading man who'll star in a TV commercial and win other prizes including: an agent to represent him in the film and TV industry and an acting course in the Big Apple at the New York Film Academy School of Film and Acting.
The requirement: he has to be a Class Act natch i.e. he must be able to act
- brilliantly. Each week hopefuls will act in short films
as a test to see whether they have the chops - getting eliminated along the way, until only one remains.
Actor Kenneth Nkosi (Gaz'lam, Society and Tsotsi) is presenting the show and the panel of judges are:
Moonyeenn Lee: an actors agent who's been involved in casting actors in films and television including: Blood Diamond, Tsotsi, Hotel Rwanda, Triomf, The Lab, Yizo Yizo and Heartlines. (goss: last I heard she smokes scary-ass cigars.)
Rapulana Seiphemo:
the least unemployed actor in Mzansi with roles in Generations, Muvhango and Isidingo.
Tendeka Matatu - director and producer, who's produced films including: Jerusalema, Footskating 101 and Straight Outta Benoni.
The show's being directed by Tim Greene, director of Hard Copy and the film A Boy Called Twist.
Who can enter?
Any guy over the age of 18, who's a South African citizen.
If you've had a leading role in a movie or TV series - you
can't enter.
The auditions: where & when?
The auditions start at 09h00 at each venue. There are limited places on each day so they're on a first-come/first-served basis. Cape Town and Durban will each see 1000 entrants; and Jozi and Pretoria 2000 each.
The times and venues:
Durban
On: Saturday, 30 January 2010 at 09h00
Durban Manor
93 - 96 Margaret Mncadi Ave (old Victoria Embankment)
Durban
Directions to the venue:
Head southwest toward Airport Rd.
Turn right at Airport Rd.
Turn right at S Coast Rd.
Bear right, and take the ramp to Southern Freeway.
Keep right at the fork to continue toward Southern Freeway and merge onto Southern Freeway.
Take exit 3 toward Victoria Embankment.
Merge onto Victoria Embankment.
Durban Manor will be on the left.
Cape Town
On: Saturday, 6 February 2010 at 09h00
Cape Island Studios (Panalux)
Koeberg Road (Just off the M5)
Milnerton
Cape Town
Directions to the venue:
From the N1, take the exit toward N7.
Continue toward N7 and merge onto N7.
Take exit 17 for M14 toward Plattekloof Rd.
Turn left at M14/Plattekloof Rd.
Turn right at Koeberg Rd.
Bear left into Blaauwberg Rd.
Turn right at Gill Rd.
Continue onto Gie Rd.
Turn left at Circle Rd.
Take the 3rd right onto Eagle Crescent.
Take the 1st left onto Puce Rd.
Take the 1st right onto Dikkop Crescent.
Cape Island Studios (Panalux) will be on the left.
Pretoria
On: Saturday, 13 February 2010 at 09h00
Museum of Arts & Culture (The Old Mint)
Visagie Street
Pretoria
Directions to the venue:Head northeast on Ben Schoeman Highway (N1).
Continue onto Potgieter St.
Turn right at Jacob Mare St.
Turn left at Paul Kruger St.
The museum is located in Paul Kruger Street, between Visagie and Minnaar Streets, opposite the Pretoria City Hall.
Jozi
On: Saturday, 20 February 2010 at 09h00
Atlas Studios
33 Frost Avenue (cnr Owl Street)
Milpark
Johannesburg
Directions to the venue:From De Villiers Graaff Motorway/M1, take exit 13-Johannesburg toward R55/Empire Rd.
Keep left at the fork to continue toward Empire Rd and merge onto Empire Rd.
Bear right to stay on Empire Rd.
Take the 1st left onto Owl St.s
Take the 1st left onto Frost Ave.
Atlas Studios will be on the left.
The Audition: what to do?
Auditionees need to prepare and perform an acting piece for the judges. It should ideally be a monolgue so that it doesn't involve more than one person and should be no longer than a minute when performed. It needs to be well rehearsed.
You need to take a valid ID book, driver's license or passport to the audition. You'll need to fill in an entry form - they'll be available at each of the venue's.
For more info, check out the show's site here:
Class Act - they also have monologue ideas and scripts for what you could perform.
If you're going for it - break a leg!
Lookin' forward to watching and scrutinizing - and gossiping about you
of course.