BEVERLY — The MTV show "MADE" wants to turn one student's dream into reality, and there's a good chance that student could be from Beverly High.
Producers are looking for contestants at seven high schools in Massachusetts and New Hampshire, and Beverly is one of them.
Casting calls are April 1 from 3 to 6 p.m. in the auditorium. Principal Sean Gallagher announced the news over the loudspeaker Friday afternoon, and enthusiastic students have been scrambling to figure out how they want the major cable network to transform them.
"I didn't believe it when I found out," said sophomore Makaylla Irving, who wants to be made into a gymnast. "I thought it was a joke at first."
The series "is all about making dreams come true," according to the fax Gallagher received from MTV about three weeks ago.
Producers look for students who want to achieve a goal, but are shy, or think they're not cool enough, or are afraid to do something. They organize at least a month of intensive training toward the goal, often with industry professionals as coaches, to give students the push they need to overcome those obstacles.
"We are looking for your specific, individual goal or aspiration that is attainable in the next four months," according to the "MADE" Web site. "We are not looking for a vague goal, like 'I want to be a star' or 'I want to be like Fergie.'"
Kids on past shows have been made into wrestlers, debaters, snowboarders, salsa dancers and much more. However, it can be as simple as "ask someone special to a school dance," "enter a beauty pageant" or "land a role in the spring musical," which were suggestions on the Web site.
Students said they were excited about the chance to be on the show and would be more willing to push themselves than past participants.
"I always watch it, and everybody always complains and gets to a point where they don't think they can do it," said junior Christina Dube, who's applying to be made into a polo player. "I don't want to be that person. I'm determined."
Public Relations Director Tamika Young said "MADE" has a "no press policy," but said they picked seven schools at random in the Northeast region and will only choose one person.
Students who want to be on the show have to fill out questionnaires about their goals and show up to the casting call, where MTV will record a two- to five-minute video of the interview.
Gallagher said the casting calls are from March 21 to April 4 and when the show airs will depend on the dream.
"Hopefully, one of our students gets selected," he said.
What they want to be
Christina Dube, 11th grade
Wants to be made into: A polo player
Why: "I don't know how to ride a horse, but I want to be a polo player. I always watch it when I drive by fields in Hamilton and Wenham, and they look like they have fun. And I like their clothes. The striped rugby shirt. It's preppy. I just think it's a different culture."
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Zac Currier, 11th grade
Wants to be made into: A professional paintball player
Why: "I want to play on a team and run around the forest and learn strategies and get shot with paintballs. I've never tried to do this before, so I think it would be awesome. Plus, I'll get shot without padding on, and it will turn me into more of a man."
Katie Carlotto, 11th grade
Wants to be made into: A ninja
Why: "I have a fear of being pushed around. I want to be able to prove that size doesn't matter and I can defend myself even though I seem small and weak. I do gymnastics, and my soccer team always called me 'Ninja.' I picked up tae kwon do when I was really little but never finished it. I'm never good at finishing things, so this would be really good for perseverance. And it's a really good skill to have. A ninja is the ultimate defense."
Aaron Thompson, 10th grade
Wants to be made into: A break-dancer
Why: "My goal is to lose 80 pounds and be a break-dancer. I always liked dancing, but I can't dance. I'm not that good, and break-dancing looks like more fun than other kinds of dancing. I've tried, and failed miserably."
Makaylla Irving, 10th grade
Wants to be made into: A gymnast
Why: "I'm really flexible. I play basketball, and a gymnast is so opposite. I want to be able to flip so much. It looks cool and hard, and I don't think I could ever do it."
Brian Goldbert, 12th grade
Wants to be made into: A front desk or business employee for a major league baseball team
Why: "I've always loved sports. I'm a huge Sox fan, and people are always like, 'You should be in the business.' I'm going to Southern New Hampshire University for sports management, and I think being on MTV will get my name our there, or get my foot in the door."
