It is time to stop being polite and start getting real because The Real World is coming to Columbus to cast its 17th season. Bunim/Murray casting directors are looking for seven new roommates to star in the MTV reality show and are having open casting calls Saturday in the capital city.
Auditions will be held at Panini's Bar & Grill, 1714 N. High St., from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Applicants are asked to bring a recent picture of themselves and a photo ID, and must be 18 to 24 years old.
Group interviews will be filmed as interviewees discuss a variety of topics and interact with one another. The casting directors will view the tapes and contact possible candidates for additional interviews at a later date.
Everyone should come because there is no reason to feel intimidated -this is not American Idol. Be real and come as yourselves
Bunim/Murray casting director Kristina McGann said.
Columbus is one of the main casting cities, as well as Philadelphia and Charlotte, where McGann hopes to find individuals who speak their mind and have personalities and stories the show has not featured.
And obviously casting directors are looking for people who are willing to open up and unafraid of having their lives shown to millions of viewers she said.
The show will change the lives of the cast members and help them grow as individuals, as they are exposed to all walks of life, she said.
The location of the 17th season is yet to be determined, said Steve Pleadwell, Bunim/Murray press representative. Filming will begin next year.
The Real World debuted in 1992 before reality television was a mainstream market, and it has progressed into a hit show, drawing millions of viewers each week. The show documents the drama of seven strangers who live and work together for five months while being filmed 24 hours a day.
I'm not going to lie. I have been watching the show since the first season Ohio University sophomore Jayme Levy said. She and her friends watch the series every week including the newest season in Philadelphia.
The most famous Ohioan to be cast is Mike The Miz from season 10's Back To New York. He has been seen most recently on the Real World/Road Rules Challenge Inferno and Inferno 2.
Mike is classic. And the fact that he is from Ohio makes him even cooler
OU junior Jena Shumaker said. His fame should inspire other Ohio 'Real World-ers
' she said.
Although Shumaker's friends told her to audition, she does not think she has the dramatic qualities to make it. But she may go to Columbus this weekend, just for fun.
McGann encourages anyone, especially college students, to attend.
Not everyone gets to have this experience
so people should go try out. They have nothing to lose
she said.
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Amber James
