MTV’s “Real World” is coming to UW-Madison Wednesday for an open casting call Wednesday to potentially find strangers to be featured on the 32nd season of the hit reality TV show.
The show, which is the longest-running program in MTV history, has often been cited as the show that kick-started modern reality TV.
The show selects seven young adults to temporarily move in with each other in a new city, find jobs and live “real” life together.
Past seasons have focused on hot topics relevant to many young adults, including sex, relationships, prejudice, AIDS and substance abuse, and have featured cast members who have personally struggled with these issues.
In recent seasons, producers have added new twists and themes to keep the show fresh. The current season, “Go Big or Go Home,” has had the cast members face their biggest fears.
Despite these changes, Themi Chahales, the casting director of “Real World,” said the integrity of the show has remained the same for more than 30 years, and there are still new topics to be discussed.
Chahales said MTV is visiting college campuses across the country to try to find applicants who are available to film the show over the summer.
When asked why she chose UW-Madison, Chahales said, “Madison is such a huge school, it just bumps the numbers on how many people are available to come [to the call].”
Chahales said the show does not look to fill specific, pre-decided character profiles.
“That’s something I get asked all the time but honestly, we really don’t. ‘Real World’ prides itself on being a social experiment; we let the characters come to us,” she said.
According to a press release issued by Bunim/Murray Productions, an ideal candidate has a “larger than life personality, a unique life story, an adventurous spirit and a personal magnetism that draws attention whenever they walk in the room.”
“We are looking for people who are 100 percent themselves, people from all different backgrounds who are open-minded and willing to share their story,” Chahales said.
Nicole Zanatta, a cast member from season 30, “Real World: Skeletons,” which took place in Chicago, has no regrets from her experience on the show.
“It was honestly insane and probably the best experience of my life,” Zanatta said. “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that you will never get offered again. You just gotta be you.”
According to Chahales, the “Real World” casting crew will be conducting group interviews at Union South from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Wednesday. Interviews will involve icebreakers and getting to know other candidates. The only requirement for applicants is that they are young adults who are at least 21 years old.
According to the press release, applicants should bring a recent photo of themselves and photo ID to the casting call. Interested individuals who cannot make the open call can apply online at www.bmpcasting.com/casting/realworld/.
