Wanted: Vermont teens for MTV reality show
Toolbox
By Carla Occaso Times Argus staff - Published: February 4, 2005
DANVILLE – Excitement came in the form of a casting call for MTV's reality show "Made" right here at Danville School Thursday. It was the show's first talent foray into Vermont, said MTV casting director Victoria Asness.
"The idea of the show is, we find high school students with a goal or a dream," Asness said, describing how once a student is chosen, producers arrange to find an expert in the student's field of interest help them attain their goal. Twenty shows featuring 20 students are used each season out of thousands who are interviewed, Asness said. Production for 2005 starts June 1.
Ten students waited with high hopes outside the school's conference room to be interviewed and recorded by Asness, a young, casually dressed woman with dark hair who worked alone. Before and after auditions, some students shared their aspirations with a reporter while others were too nervous.
"I feel confident I did well," said tenth-grader Derek Morrison after his audition when he expressed his goal of learning to snowboard. Morrison said he was surprised but glad the show picked Danville rather than the bigger St. Johnsbury Academy to hold a casting call.
"This is better news for us," Morrison said, adding, "It really makes the kids here have something they can look forward to do."
Tenth-grader Jesse Murray said he hopes he is chosen to become a hip-hop dancer. A star basketball player who also plays soccer and baseball at Danville School, Murray said if he were picked, "it would be cool."
Senior Kari Legendre wants to achieve her goal of becoming a "trophy girl" at stock car races and 14-year-old Kevin O'Donnell wants to become an extreme skateboarder like his idol, Bob Burnquist.
O'Donnell said he wants to be picked to ward off boredom. "I usually just stay in my room. It would get me out," he said. When he does leave his room, though, O'Donnell said he could be found at the St. Johnsbury Skateboard Park behind Peter Glenn of Vermont after the snow melts.
"My goal is to be a dolphin trainer," said 17-year-old Heather Rapoza before her audition. Rapoza said she plans to study marine biology in college.
The show has generated excitement at home, too, said Rapoza's mother, Christine Rapoza. The Rapoza family of five children has been talking about it constantly after learning of the casting call two weeks ago. Rapoza said for years her daughter has wanted to become a dolphin trainer. Rapoza's son Caleb is also applying to the show with an interest in break dancing.
"Even though it's on MTV, it builds self-esteem," Rapoza said. MTV is sometimes accused of peddling sleaze, but Principal Meg Powden said some parents favored the show because it offers a positive message about achieving goals. "I think it is an exciting opportunity for the kids," Powden said.
Danville School administrative assistant Sonja Bedard organized the interviews.
MTV will visit several other Vermont high schools this month. Twinfield, Williamstown, Hazen Union and Randolph high schools are scheduled to be visited.
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