Want to be on TV? MTV will host an open casting call at Panini’s Bar and Grill Wednesday for the next season of the “Real World.”

The show, now in its 24th season, documents the lives of eight people picked to work and live together in a house for five months.

This year, MTV is trying to add more diversity to the cast. Officials have said they want to cast someone who has been affected by a natural disaster, a person with weight issues, someone who is physically challenged, a person who was home-schooled or went to an alternative school, and someone who wants to publicize a cause, issue or social
condition.

But, officials said in a statement, MTV encourages anyone with a strong personality to try out.

Damon Furberg, supervising casting director for “Real World,” said in a phone interview that his team is looking for applicants who stick out.
“Real World: Cancun” cast member Bronne Bruzgo auditioned for the show while he was a student at Penn State and said he got the spot because he didn’t try to put on a show at the audition.

“There’s a lot of people who are just trying to get noticed, and [MTV employees] see right through that,” Bruzgo said in a phone interview with The Lantern. “The best thing to do to get past them is to just be normal.”

The casting team is not looking for someone they have seen before, Furberg said.

“I think that one of the biggest pet peeves we have is when people tell us they’re similar to someone we’ve seen on the show before, or when they typecast themselves,” he said. “If you’re really that limited, then we won’t be interested in you.”

MTV regularly recruits cast members for the show in Ohio and has made several visits to Columbus in recent years. Furberg said they continue to come back because they usually receive a good turnout and they receive some “quality” applicants.

Several cast members from past MTV shows have been chosen at auditions in Ohio, including an Ohio State alumna. Mike Mizanin (“Real World: Back to New York”), Devin Elston (“Road Rules 2”) and Jeremy Blossom (“Road Rules: South Pacific”) all auditioned in Ohio, and 2005 OSU graduate Aviv Melmed (“Real World/Road Rules Challenge: Fresh Meat”) auditioned in Columbus.

Bruzgo said his experience on “Real World” was “tough,” but he had a great time.

The auditions will be held from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. To audition, applicants need to be between the ages of 18 and 24 and they also need to bring photo identification and a recent photo of themselves. Panini’s Bar and Grill is located at 1716 N. High St., next to the Newport Music Hall.

For those who cannot make it to the audition Wednesday, applications are accepted online. Visit bunim-murray.com to apply and to receive more information on casting calls in other areas.