After being told her idea for a TV series was “over-ambitious” and being rejected by broadcasters, producer Imaan Anders is taking matters into her own hands.
Imaan, from Athlone, says she’s decided to take her idea for a local musical to the Artscape.
She will be holding auditions for The Octaves later this month and is calling on all actors and singers to apply; applications to audition close on Friday, 14 May.
The excited 35-year-old tells the Daily Voice that the stage musical centres around a group of talented students who are struggling to find themselves in an age of social media and being at odds with the families.
“It is a story about a group of students, full of life and endless opportunities ahead who are struggling to speak their first language, or make music, due to family restrictions, personal issues or daily struggles,” says Imaan.
“The only place the students really feel safe is in their music room, a place to let go and perform their fears away.
“Isn’t that what music does? If you connect with a good song, you instantly feel good.”
She says her idea is based on the award-winning TV series Glee, about a group of high school misfits who find common ground in the school’s Glee club, where they can sing and dance their hearts out and take part in national competitions.
“Anyone who knows me, knows that my obsession with Glee runs deep.
“It’s on the same level as Grey’s Anatomy, but what actually made me decide to adapt it into a South African version for TV was the fact that I have not yet seen a production of that value on South African screens.
“I was denied by a few broadcasters and one specifically telling me the idea is over-ambitious.
“I then decided to work with the resources I had to bring this production to life in theatre as I believe that it’s about the effort you put in, not the amount of times you get rejected.”
If you think you have what it takes to sing, dance and act your way into The Octaves, email [email protected] for the criteria.
Auditions will take place on Monday, 17 May.