The annual Singapore International Festival of Arts will be holding an audition call next month for a new Mandarin musical. The festival commission, titled Nanyang - The Musical, will open on August 6, 2015.

Set in the 1940s, the musical will cast the spotlight on Singapore's Nanyang artists - the Nanyang style loosely refers to early attempts by these pioneer artists to blend Western influences and styles with South-east Asian sensibilities and subject matter. It will follow the story of four artists who make a trip to Bali and later return, inspired and invigorated.

The musical will feature music and lyrics by the award-winning songwriting duo Eric Ng and Xiaohan; music arrangement by Goh Kheng Long, who has worked with pop stars such as JJ Lin; and will be directed by theatre director Alec Tok.

Roles up for grabs include the parts of Chen Kang, 23, a budding artist who is full of idealism; Zhang Wen, 38, a conflicted art teacher; Liying, 27, an elegant prodigy; and Ren Hao, 24, another cerebral idealist.

The auditions will be held on Dec 19 and 20 at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts Campus Three Studio Theatre, from 10am to 4pm.

Those interested in registering for an audition slot should send a recent headshot and resume to magdalene@onekindtheatre.com. Shortlisted candidates will be notified.