Popular show holding open casting call on campus
It has been nearly 12 years since names like Blaze, Thunder and Nitro strutted into the homes of television audiences on the show “American Gladiators.”
That is until NBC assembled a new class of muscle-bound men and women to revive the series for primetime.
On Feb. 2, the show’s producers will hold an open casting call at the CU Rec Center, looking for contestants to do battle with the new gladiators. Students, as well as the general public, will have the chance to audition from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Dan Rummel, the Rec Center’s building services manager, said he is anticipating a couple thousand people to participate.
“I think it’s going to be interesting, the people we have show up,” Rummel said.
Those who audition will be interviewed, then required to complete tests in strength, speed and agility, Rummel said. He said the producers did not disclose any more specific information.
The casting call on campus is one of only seven scheduled across the country. Rummel said the producers were interested in Boulder because of its reputation as one of the fittest places in the country, where they could come across plenty of potential contestants.
“We’re just excited to have them in the building,” he said.
Rummel said the decision to host the casting call was unanimously approved by the Rec Board, and that there has been nothing but excitement and positive feedback from students.
Other tryouts are being held at:
Austin, TX (Feb.2)
Chicago (Feb. 2)
Orlando, Fla. (Feb. 9)
NYC (Feb. 9)
Chandler, AZ (Feb. 9)
Junior Nate Fox, a 20-year-old history major and president of the ZBT fraternity, said word of the casting call was spreading quickly in the house, with residents excited for a chance to take on the gladiators and earn bragging rights.
“I think being able to compete grows relationships and is something people can benefit from,” Fox said.
He also said that “Hulk Hogan is the man!” referring to one of the show’s two hosts. Laila Ali, daughter of boxing legend Muhammad Ali, is the other.
Others said they had no idea the show was holding a casting call, and have no interest in trying out.
“You can’t really make a career out of being a gladiator,” said Kate Morton, 20, a junior English major.
Rummel said students can begin lining up at 8 a.m. on Saturday, two hours before the call begins and one hour before the Rec Center opens for business.
Contact Campus Press writer George Plaven at George.Plaven@colorado.edu.
