‘Real World’ casting call seeks Hoosiers for 28th season of MTV reality series

A line of hopefuls waited outside Scotty’s Brewhouse, applications in hand, for an open casting call for “The Real World” season 28.

Early afternoon rain might have deterred some, but definitely not all, from attending the casting call.

From 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday, applicants were taken inside in groups of 30. Casting directors auditioned 10 people at a time on the Brewhouse’s stage. If an applicant stood out, they moved on to a second interview and more paperwork.

Eric Alexander, 23, is a recent Ball State University graduate who said he’s going through a transition period in his life. Originally from Las Vegas, Alexander drove from Indianapolis to Bloomington for the audition.

“I’ve always wanted to do this,” Alexander said. “It’s a goal of my life to be on the ‘Real World,’ and I’m trying to do it today.”

Lauren Fiedler, Scotty’s Brewhouse director of marketing and promotions, said MTV reached out to them as the location for the casting call. She said it helped attract a different demographic for the restaurant than usual.

“We thought it’d be good exposure for our Bloomington location,” Fiedler said. “It’s during a weekday, where usually we’re on the slower side.”

Benissa Morris, 21, came with Alexander to audition. She said she occasionally watches the “Real World” and thinks her fun personality would fit well with the show.

“This is my type of thing,” Morris said. “This is my type of show. I need to be on here.”

Others, such as senior Keith Berman, were not originally planning on auditioning.

“I was working on the Afrojack show, and I was going to do a sponsorship thing for Taco Rocket,” Berman said. “I saw a line. I was curious.”

The casting call said the directors are looking for people with strong personalities from diverse backgrounds, with special attention to applicants who face challenges in their everyday lives.

Applicants waiting to audition in Bloomington said they faced challenges including rough childhoods, bad significant others and the stigmas of bisexuality.

Applicants were supposed to be at least 20 years old and appear to be between the ages of 20 and 24.

Berman, a sports marketing and management major, said he was already working on a project similar to the “Real World” independently.

“I plan on making a reality show or a movie this summer about my life,” Berman said. “I’ve always wanted to do that or just act in general.”

Like Morris, Berman said he thought he could bring fun and entertainment to the show.

“You don’t know what you’re going to get next from me, but you can’t look away,” Berman said. “Whether it’s good, it’s bad — it’s usually funny, and it makes everyone laugh.” 

Season 28 of the “Real World” will begin filming in 2013.

Three other casting calls occurred simultaneously across the country Wednesday in Tampa, Fla., Oxford, Miss., and Athens, Ga., with more casting calls scheduled during April.

“I’m happy they came to the Midwest,” Alexander said. “Everybody can bring something different to the show, and everyone can learn something from someone else.”