Lips were chewed. Pens were tapped. Voices were hushed. The anxiety in Parlour Room B of the Union could rival the tension of finals week. But students weren't facing 100 multiple choice questions. They faced one man who could change their future — or at least, their future travel plans.
"They're doing a special spring break version of MTV's 'Made,'" said Tami Kuhn, manager of the university activities office. "They usually do the casting with high school students, but they wanted to do this episode with college students."
A representative from MTV arrived on campus to do an open casting call from 2 to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, with both high school and college students vying for a spot on the hit show.
"Made" is an MTV show that features high school students who want to change their image or learn a new skill.
The show then chronicles their transformation, through all the ups and downs.
Though he wants to be "made" into a comedian, electrical engineering senior Conrad Hunt had big plans for a spring break version "Made."
"I said I wanted to throw the wildest, livest Puff Daddy-est party," Hunt said.
The audition room — with its single chair and vast, empty space — was intimidating, Hunt said, adding that the representative made him more comfortable.
"He was really friendly — he asked why I wanted to be 'made' and what drives me," he said.
While Hunt was interested in a spring break episode, many who auditioned were simply looking to appear on the regular show.
Andrea Soloko, a junior at Northville High School, took advantage of a half-day to come to the audition with her sister.
"I've always been viewed as a jock at my school," Soloko said, adding that she wants to shed her tomboy image and seem more feminine to her peers.
Soloko, 16, arrived at the audition with a black eye, from taking a hit with a hockey stick.
"Things lightened up when he started laughing at my eye," she said.
Soloko's interview lasted about 10 minutes, but most auditions were scheduled to last between three and five minutes.
No-preference sophomore Chad Becker had narrowed down his "Made" options to a breakdancer or bartender.
"I want to do some crazy, Tom Cruise-in-'Cocktail'-like stuff," he said.
Some students who were waiting to audition said a love of the show got them interested.
"I'm obsessed with it," journalism sophomore Missy Bartnick said. "They're normal, everyday people. It's a fantasy to do something you never thought you could."
