The Univision Network announced today it is kicking off nationwide auditions for this year’s highly anticipated new reality competition “Protagonistas” (Novela Stars). A production of Univision Studios and Imagina US, the show invites young men and women from around the country to compete for the opportunity to become Univision’s next on-air “Protagonista” and make their onscreen network debut. Nationwide auditions began Friday, July 22 and continue through Friday, September 23 via online virtual castings on Univision.com and through local, in-person auditions in six major U.S. cities and in Puerto Rico. Prior to the audition process, a traveling “Protacápsula” (Protacapsule) will simulate the audition experience in three major U.S. cities where participants will be able to showcase their talent and earn the right to be first in line at the auditions.
Hosted by famed Mexican actor Ernesto Laguardia, “Protagonistas” will look for the country’s most talented men and women as they compete for an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make their onscreen debut in one of Univision’s upcoming network productions. Hopeful young contestants from coast to coast will compete to make it to the top 20, from where only a lucky 12 will make the final cut and move into the exclusive “Protagonistas” studio house in Miami.
The road to stardom won’t be easy as the final six men and six women will need to learn how to live together and endure a number of challenges – from acting and dancing, to singing and hosting. With the guidance of an expert panel of judges, and professional coaches, the contestants will need to demonstrate why they are the next “Protagonista” in a house where friendships and loyalties will be set aside for the ultimate win.
Along with the “Protagonistas” panel of judges, viewers will decide on the fate of those eliminated. Every week, contestants will be asked to prove their talent and interpret scenes from some of Univision’s past top novelas. Then the judges will grade them and vote on who they choose to be the lowest performing contestant up for elimination. The second contestant up for elimination will be determined based on how they score in cohabitation and how they get along with other contestants in the house. Then, in nail-biting weekly eliminations, it will ultimately be left up to the audience to decide who gets to stay and who is sent packing.
Throughout the competition, viewers will get an unprecedented behind-the-scenes look at the trials, tribulations and emotional interactions between the house members, as well as the unbreakable bonds that are born over time. The show will follow the contestants’ every move with the latest in technology and 24-hour monitoring via 40 moving cameras and more than eight permanent cameras strategically located around the house. Nothing will be kept a secret as cameras uncover the contestants in their real light and under the tensest of circumstances. In the grand finale, the contestant with the most viewer votes will be named Univision’s new “Protagonista.”
Those interested in getting a feel of the audition process can visit the show’s traveling “Protacápsula.” Participants can step into the camera lens, literally, to an interactive capsule where participants’ talents will be recorded. Those who impress the producers with their recorded “Protacápsula” video can earn the chance to be first in line at the auditions.
The “Protacápsula” will make stops in:
July 28, 2011 – Los Angeles, CA
July 30-31, 2011 – Phoenix, AZ
August 12, 2011 – Miami, FL
The “Protagonistas” auditions will be held throughout the country via:
Online virtual castings via Univision.com:
Users can submit their video auditions on Univision.com, keyword: “Protagonistas” through September 9 at 12:00 midnight ET.
Local market auditions in six cities throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico:
All auditions will be held from 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon (local time). Dates are subject to change.
August 19, 2011 – New York, NY
August 26, 2011 – Chicago, IL
September 2, 2011 – Houston, TX
September 9, 2011 – San Juan, Puerto Rico
September 16, 2011 – Los Angeles, CA
September 23, 2011 – Miami, FL
Participants can log on to www.Univision.com, keyword: “Protagonistas” for a registration form, rules and conditions, as well as a complete list of documents required at the time of audition. To audition, participants must be 18 to 28 years of age, and Spanish-speaking legal residents of the U.S. or Puerto Rico. All audition locations, dates and updates will be also available online and on mobile at Univision.com. Participants can also follow the route of the interactive “Protacápsula” on its nationwide road trip, and obtain details about where to find it in their local city.
Complete online and mobile coverage of “Protagonistas” will also be available on Univision.com, including exclusive videos, character bios and photos, the latest news and interviews with the participants, and online forums for fans to comment and share with friends.
(Source: Univision)
