Casting Call: Zaynab (New TV Series)
Published by Haseeb July 6th, 2007 in Current News, Entertainment, TelevisionZaynab is a new television series that follows the life of a high school sophomore discovering her identity as an American Muslim. Currently, we are looking for actors and actresses to fill the roles of the protagonist and the supporting cast.
We are holding a two day casting call at Scene Interactive in the Starrett-Lehigh Building which is located at 601 West 26th Street between 11th and 12th Avenue (see link below).
These are the available times for auditioning:
07/09 Monday from 3:30pm to 9:30pm
07/10 Tuesday from 3:30pm to 9:30pm
We are inviting you to come and read for a few characters in our show we think you may be great for. To give you more information about our show, it is called Zaynab named after the main character. Zaynab is a sophomore in high school discovering her identity as an American from an immigrant family who is constantly critiquing her community’s hypocritical ways and lack of moderation. At this moment, we are looking to fill the role of the main protagonist and the supporting cast.
Please contact us if you have any questions at zaynab.tv@gmail.com
If you want be part of a new Muslim TV show plan to stop by during one of our open audition days.
Salaam ‘Alaikum
//Zaynab is a sophomore in high school discovering her identity as an American from an immigrant family who is constantly critiquing her community’s hypocritical ways and lack of moderation.//
Oh yes. Us hypocrite extremists. Who is producing this, anyway?
Agreed. After all, the show must compete with highly popular shows today. What else attracts people better that the “Muslim Terrorists” or “extremists” heading.
I hope decent Muslims don’t partake in this exposure. 0==(D)
I respect the privacy of my female Muslim community.
Walaikum asalaam wr wb
Lets wait and see what this show is actually about before being so quick to criticize it. The power of popular culture and television is great if used properly. Shows like The Cosby Show, and Seinfeld did wonders for the general American perception of Black and Jewish people, respectively, and to introduce the greater American audience to “normal” American Muslims can play a much greater dawah role than any CAIR advertisement or inter-faith event. The best dawah is by example - and im sure all of you can attest to the positive image of Islam that is portrayed by your very example and exposure to your friends and colleagues. Likewise, the very exposure of Muslims on TV as normal people that deal with normal issues - within our own unique lifestyle foreign for most non-Muslims - has immense potential.
Of course, I dont want to see any sacred Muslim actions ridiculed. Little Mosque on the Prairie, for example, was a decent show for the most part - yet I certainly have many criticisms of it. Sleeper Cell - was another show which had alot of benefit and positive value, especially explaining how true Islam has nothing to do with terrorism and the hypocrisy of terrorists who claim to be acting in the name of Islam,(read this post), but unfortunately had alot of foul language & unnecessary sex scenes.
Muslims entering the American media (TV, movies, music, etc.) is an essential part of our indiginization into American culture. We need to support our Muslim bretheren who are doing their part to break into these media for the sake of our ummah, and ultimately for the sake of Allah
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Right now, much of the world is scared of Muslims, especially here at home. Now we know that even those in the medical profession can resort to terrorism (I will write on this issue later this week i’A). Alot of our neighbors are scared of us - and the best way to counter that is to befriend our neighbors, invite these people into our homes, both in real life, and via the radios and television.
they should just get non-muslims to play the role and be directed by muslims.
I just want an Oscar or Golden Globe and just break the Hollywood acting by being the first American Muslimah Actress. LOL!
No seriously, I miseed the audition! Aww man!
BUt probably best, what if they have a lot of haram stuff on this show as they did on other shows wa iyyadhu billah.
i don’t like it!!! I agree with usawson….our muslim female roles expect us to be reticent, modest and virtuous. having this show will exploit muslim girls, especially teens who go to high school. Even if the show itself may be rated G, the involvement of a sister in the hollywood business may involve her being in an atmosphere that is completely haram in SO many ways! Allahi yihdena ila as-sirat al-mustaqueem!
muj, why do u say that they should get non-muslims?
This is a PERFECT show–I HAVE DREAMED OF filling a role of this….PLEASE e-mail me back ASAP,if the show is still in production–MY NAME IS Zaynab for goodness sake…Please contact me,PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE–May Allah
bless you for brainstorming such an idea–PLEASE HOLD AUDITIONS IN DEARBORN where there are millions of Muslims—PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE–INSHALLAH people will look past the gutsy plot.It’s people like you change the world for the better.
PLEASE E-MAIL ME;I MUST AUDITION!!!
I KNOW I AM WAYYY too late–just please take the time to e-mail me–this is like destiny………
Zainab, how old are you? Do you have any previous acting experience?
I am 16 years old, and I have taken acting classes in my high school,and I am still taking acting classes. I am currently joining Drama Club once our Drama teacher,Ms.Sweeney returns from her surgery.My school is Fordson High School.I will be in the fall production of Fordson’s Drama Play (inshallah, when Ms.Sweeney returns!)
bless you and your family and your pets and your lunch. 
Since I have been in a private Muslim high school before,I did not have acting classes of any sort,so now I am SO BLESSED to be taking theater!
I am not boasting or showing off, but I am one of the better/real actors in the school. I have raw talent and I am striving for excellence…
Oh,you just asked two questions and I gave you a whole paragraph….Sorry!
OH-and I will be taking my acting photo head shots in the studio soon,so in case you need one,I could send you it.
Thank you SO DEARLY MUCH for replying so quick–And whenever you get the chance to message back,please do.
Thank you again,and may Allah
salaam
! I’ll post up the website in a few months when its ready… in the mean time, good luck on your acting endeavours and practice a lot! =)
well, its funny because the casting for zaynab has been closed for a long time. but currently i’m heading a similar project in new york also. i wouldn’t have even known u posted on here if i hadn’t checked that silly “alert me if someone responds” box. But the thing is, we can’t really bring the audition to you. In the next few months, we’re going to have auditions where people can send in an audition tape for review, and if we like urs u can fly out to ny for stage 2. but right now, the show is still in very early stages and not really ready for auditions yet! there’s also a possibility that it will turn into a movie, so lets see insha’Allah
Take care, Salaam
Hamza
Oh,I’m glad to hear it’s still in the works.And what exactly am I supposed to do for the tape;act a scene from a movie/show or something or from the script?
And,DUH,I should of realized the auditions will be out of state,sorry about that.
Anyway, Inshallah the project will turn out according to plan.Thanks again,and don’t worry,I will be practicing a whole lot!
–I’ll make sure to post my mind-boggling comments on the site and whatnot, and send in a tape (when I buy a new camera…..) once everything is finalized.
Salaam!
These faces are fun!
I am in almost the exact same position as Zainab. I am a muslim teenager 17 years old and have been working at acting since I was twelve. Subuhanallah if you by some miracle read this I would love to audition I live three hours away from NYC and I am actually going up there next week. I have been in many of my schools productions despite the costume limitations of being an abiding and hijabed muslim woman, because of my skill. I would really really love to be apart of something like this my email is Murrkywaterz@yahoo.com. Please email me .. Thank you so much
Salams
Wow, this is really interesting. I’d love to take part in similar stuff. Email me as new projects arise–this sounds super cool and super fun. Hope to hear from you! bubblygumheart@yahoo.com. Thanks.