David HartsteinAt the on-campus auditions for “The Apprentice” yesterday, students were better dressed than the show’s casting director.
In a sweater and jeans, Brandon Nickens headed up interviews with associate Martin Booker in the University’s Weston Career Resource Center. Approximately 60 individuals showed up for the open call, which was part of a 29-city tour for casting season four of the hit TV series.
Nickens’ dress reflected the casual air of the interviews.
“I try to let them know when they come in that this is not a job interview,” he said. “You’ve got to remember first and foremost this is a reality show. You guys all have great business angles, but do you have the personality? You’ve got to be the package deal.”
Washington University was chosen to host one of the calls because of its allure.
“Look at all these kids that come all the way across the country to come to… St. Louis? It’s for this school. We really learned that today. We met some great people,” Nickens said, noting that “The Apprentice” casting team only stops at schools they believe to have “great business programs.”
Marla Rappaport, a first-year M.B.A. student at the University, said Booker asked her questions ranging from what she thinks of St. Louis to why she would give up two months of her life to be on “The Apprentice”.
“It was completely contrary to what you’re taught in business school… with selling yourself,” Rappaport said. “I’m not too sure what kind of depth they can get to a person in ten minutes. Just a conversation and thank-you-very-much kind of thing.”
This conversational format was completely intentional. When interviewees take themselves too seriously, Nickens explained, they “lose their personality in the process.”
Some applicants, like Arts & Sciences senior Kevin S. Rollag, didn’t take their interviews seriously at all.
“I have nothing to lose-I didn’t have classes today. It’s totally for fun. I’m not worried at all,” said Rollag, who auditioned “on a whim.”
Kris Ring, a second-year student at the School of Law, also decided to audition at the last minute.
“It’s basically just kind of spur-of-the-moment. Add a little spice, you know… I think it’ll be a good experience no matter what,” Ring said.
Though he has not watched a single episode of “The Apprentice” to date, Ring believes being “right in the middle” of an impromptu audition is better than watching the show first.
“You’re not so intimidated that way,” he said.
The intimidation factor of the show may be a likely reason why “The Apprentice” casting team conducts business in a seemingly un-Trump manner.
When it comes to choosing actual contestants for the show, however, business experience trumps personality.
“You’ve got to have some sort of a business angle,” Nickens said.
Last Friday, quadriplegic St. Louis attorney James Schottel filed a lawsuit alleging that Trump Productions LLC violated his rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act and asked that a court grant an injunction preventing the St. Louis auditions for the show.
Applicants for “The Apprentice” are required to be in “excellent physical and mental health” in order to compete in the show.
Schottel said his physical disability in no way lessens his capability to succeed in the business world.
“In other reality shows, I know that there’s physical requirements [for good reason]. I wouldn’t even apply. You have to understand your limits,” said Schottel. “However, the physical requirement is not correlated to an executive position in the Trump organization-that’s the key.”
He said that since the show winner ends with an actual job, the rules of the Americans with Disabilities Act apply.
“Many people have contacted me and let me know they haven’t applied because they aren’t in excellent health,” he said.
Scottel hopes to get the show to change its requirements on the application.