The Triangle

Issue date: 2/18/05 Section: News

Media Credit: Morgen Rossmair

ABC Family isn't the only network interested in using Drexel students as part of a reality show.

Mark Burnett Productions was on campus this week under a contract from NBC to audition graduate business students for casting on two series of the hit reality show "The Apprentice." One series will feature Martha Stewart, who is currently serving time in a West Virginia prison for insider trading. The other will feature the original father of "The Apprentice," Donald Trump.

Faculty and M.B.A. students in the Lebow College of Business received an announcement from the University last week that casting staff for "The Apprentice" would be visiting the University.

When asked why the casting crew came to Drexel for auditions, Casting Director Maddy Sloan said "Why not? This is a great college, we're in Philadelphia, and we tried to hit some of the best business colleges around." Sloan and her casting associate Aaron Roos will be visiting four cities: Raleigh-Duram, Providence, Philadelphia, and Columbus. The team of two has also visited other Philadelphia universities such as Temple. Six other casting teams will help the production company visit a total of 28 cities to find the right cast members.

Sloan informed The Triangle that there are 16-18 slots for cast members in each run of the show, so a maximum of 36 individuals will be selected once the audition process is complete.

There is no set number that will be selected from each city. Casting will run from now until the end of March and production will take place between April and June. An airdate has not yet been announced.

When asked why undergraduates were not permitted to audition for the show,

Sloan highlighted the fact that it was required that all applications be at least 21 years old and that she and her associate were looking for business minded individuals.

Sloan acknowledged that a few things made Lebow graduate students stand out.

"They've come here and gained business knowledge. Some have left and gone on to do amazing things and some have entered the business world and are now back here, but they all have that business mind."

Some Drexel faculty members have auditioned for the show and Sloan feels this could make for an interesting show. "It's interesting to see if those people that are teaching the theories can actually make them work."

Sloan's team is looking for business minded individuals that are savvy, smart, natural leaders, charismatic and can be themselves.

The biggest mistake made during interviews is candidates who act like they know what Sloan and her associates want to hear. "We want people that are just themselves. We don't want a speech; we don't want them to put on a show. Just be who you are."David West, a professor at the Lebow College of Business in the Department of Marketing feels "The Apprentice" auditions are "good for Drexel and good for the students."

"If it means being rejected at least your trying, getting yourself out there and that's important" he said. "There is no bad interview. Take it and learn from it."

Approximately 40 students and faculty submitted applications to the casting company. A diverse group of Executive M.B.A. students, one year M.B.A. students, and faculty are represented.

Sumeet Patel, Assistant News Editor and James Mack, Ed-Op Editor contributed to this report.

See more pictures of the casting call.

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