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(AllHipHop News) Casting has officially begun for a musical based on the life and times of hip-hop icon Tupac Shakur.

Casting will begin for “Holler If Ya Hear Me” on March 4 in New York.

According to a posting on industry trade Playbill.com, “Holler If Ya Hear Me” is being directed by Kenny Leon and is described as an “American musical inspired by and featuring the music of Tupac Shakur.”

Kenny Leon is a critically acclaimed Broadway director, who has won three Tony Awards.

His last hit was in November, in the form of the 90-minute Martin Luther King Jr. inspired play “The Mountaintop,” which starred Samuel L. Jackson and Angela Bassett.

“Seeking African American Male and Female rappers ages 18 – 35,” said the post from MelCap Casting. “Additionally seeking one Caucasian actor ages 20 – 25 with a strong facility for rap and terrific guitar skills. Strong legit singing voices a plus for all, but not required.”

Although a release date for the play was not available, workshops for actors selected to star in “Holler If Ya Hear Me” will run from April 23 until May 11.

The casting will take place at Pearl Studios, which is located at 500 8th Ave, 4th floor.

Theater experience is not required to star in “Holler If Ya Hear Me,” which has been approved by Tupac’s mother, Afeni Shakur.

Kenny Leon discussed the play with Tupac Shakur, during an interview with PBS in November of 2011.

“A long time ago, maybe eight or nine years ago, I’ve been talking about that with Tupac’s mother, Afeni, and so we’ve become fans of each other and she sort of entrusted me with her son’s music” Leon said. “The idea was always to make a musical inspired by his music and not to do an autobiographical approach to his life or anything like that. And because I always thought that Tupac was a prophet and I thought if everybody could hear his words and hear his stories, they would see what I see.”

Those who can’t make it can email a resume to: hollercasting@gmail.com.