Survivor Tryouts: Vying For Their 15 Minutes Of Fame

The hundreds of people who lined the concourse of the Grand Pequot Tower at Foxwoods Wednesday had exactly 60 seconds to make their case for their 15 minutes of fame – a chance to be on the CBS reality show, “Survivor.” 

"The crowd is excited, playful," said a security officer keeping watch over the line outside the Grand Ballroom, where the auditions were being filmed. "There's an electricity where people are jumping around, yet somebody else will just be sitting there reading. It runs the gamut." 

WFSB Channel 3, a CBS affiliate out of Rocky Hill, was there to film one minute each of open auditions by the 514 people who made it through the door before closing time. Camera operators accumulated about 100 gigabytes of interviews in the five-hour time slot.

The interviews will be sent to casting directors in New York or L.A., said a Survivor spokesperson, and people will get a call back in about 90 days if they are selected for a follow-up interview. 

People, mostly fans of the show, began lining up around noon Tuesday for the opportunity to audition. A security officer said about 50 to 70 people spent the night on the floor to save their place in line. 

"Normally sleepers are not tolerated," he said, "but this is a special event." 

Hugo Brugnolo said being Brazilian should give him an edge. “Half of the people in this country are from another country, so I think they’ll be able to relate to a person from a different part of the world,” he said. Besides, he added, “you’ve got to add some spice to the show, and if they pick me they’re going to get it.”

Neci Ries of Northampton, MA, said she came to the audition to support her husband, Walter. But once she got to Foxwoods, she said, “I kind of got caught up in the whole culture of it. So now I’m, like, I think I could do this.”

Walter Ries, who is the real “Survivor” fan in the family, said he would be a good contestant because he’s very competitive. “I really have a high level of emotional intelligence,” he said. “I really can read people. I know what’s going on.”

Neci, however, was picked first to audition. As she walked onto the stage, Walter – ever the good sport – gave her the thumbs-up.

Most people auditioning for the show simply wanted to give it a shot, but others tried out for the extended vacation, a chance to win $1 million, or just to get out of the house.

"I think they wanted to send me away for a while," said Michael Magliocco of Columbia, who said his co-workers talked him into auditioning. "And, my wife wanted me out of the house."  

Julie Greco, of East Haven, said,"I've watched Survivor since day one. I'm 40 and I want a change, I want an adventure." 

The room was filled with the din of voices and the occasional outburst of excitement. WPLR was there, handing out concert tickets to people who knew the answers to various Survivor trivia questions, and Olessa Stepanova from Channel 3 was there interviewing people.  

"I talked to some guys who told me they normally don't shower," she said of three men who thought they'd be perfect on the show because they're used to being dirty. "I got a nice whiff of them and they weren't lying," said Stepanova. 

Jazmine Torrez, of New London, who has never tried to make a camp fire and won't eat bugs or fish said, "I'm a survivor though, I'll make due. I don't eat fish but if I'm hungry enough I will."  

And, Glen Barber, a taxidermist from Winsted, said he can do anything and he'll eat anything the show puts in front of him. 

Phil Obregon of Enfield, a retired human resources manager, said he hiked the Andes this summer and holds a 5th degree black belt in tae kwon do. "I'm ready for this challenge," he said.

Ralph Tulis of Willington said he has the personality to be on “Survivor.” Plus, he said, “I’m unemployed, so I have a lot of time on my hands.”

Even if you don’t win, Tulis said, “the experience alone is worth a million dollars.”