CHICAGO OPEN CASTING CALL – FRIDAY MAY 11, 2012
Location: Embassy Suites – Chicago Lakefront
511 North Columbus Dr.
Chicago, IL 60611
Time: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM

A great source of information on a past casting call experience comes from the good folks at Lollacup, who recently appeared on Shark Tank and made one of my favorite deals of the season with several Sharks. The founders, Mark and Hanna, attended an open casting call in Los Angeles and the link above conveys their experience. They were in line at 7am and were able to pitch around 2pm.

Since I’m a native Chicagoan and have some experience navigating to early morning meetings downtown, here are a few basic logistical tips that you may find helpful:

1. Get in line way early. Shark Tank is more popular than ever before, so the Lollacup founders’ experience probably won’t be yours. Think “early” and then go earlier.
2. Fill out your application early and bring it with you. Click here to download the application to open casting calls. Make sure to bring it in a folder or binder so it doesn’t get blown away by a wind gust, or carried away by pigeons sent by Kevin O’Leary.
3. Book a room downtown. Since the casting call is at the Embassy Suites, we’ve heard that many entrepreneurs are booking rooms on Thursday and/or Friday night. Not a bad idea to eliminate any travel the morning of the event just so car trouble doesn’t keep you from getting a good place in line. Also, a word to the wise — don’t let your check-out time screw up your opportunity to pitch!
4. Find a parking garage with an “early bird” rate. Parking in downtown Chicago is a pain in the neck and the costs of just a few hours in a garage can be over $30. However, many parking venues offer deals to drivers that park in the early morning hours. Performing a quick Chicago parking garage search, we found a lot within a block of the Embassy Suites that offers $12 parking if you’re in between 5am-9am and out by 7pm.
5. Bring a chair. You may be in line all day, there’s no reason to make your feet hate you. Make friends with line-mates and I’m sure you can work something out to have your stuff watched while you pitch to the casting team.
6. Be weather-aware. Right now the forecast on Friday in Chicago is a perfect 76 degrees and breezy (10-20 mph gusts). However, Chicago weather can turn on a dime. Make sure to check the forecast again Thursday night! Sometimes the wind can really whip around the buildings near the Embassy Suites, as it’s right near Lake Michigan. Especially if you line up in the wee hours, I’d recommend bringing a warm jacket.

If you have any questions about the open casting call, please ask. We’re here to help! Best of luck to you all, hope to see you in the tank soon.

Attention to all entrepreneurs and Shark Tank fans that are clamoring to appear on the show — details of the two open casting calls have just been announced! Details are below:

CHICAGO OPEN CASTING CALL – FRIDAY MAY 11, 2012
Location: Embassy Suites – Chicago Lakefront
511 North Columbus Dr.
Chicago, IL 60611
Time: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM

LOS ANGELES OPEN CASTING CALL – THURSDAY MAY 24, 2012
Location: Beverly Garland’s Holiday Inn
4222 Vineland Ave.
North Hollywood, CA 91602
Time: 12:00 PM to 7:00 PM

Best advice would be to make your travel plans early! Last season over 10,000 applications to appear on the show were received, and the competition for Season 4 is going to be stiff. Over the next several weeks we will be rolling out a variety of content especially dedicated to those who are applying (or planning to apply) to be on Shark Tank.

As always if you have questions about casting or the show, please add a comment or reach us via e-mail or follow @SharkTankABC on Twitter. Best of luck to you all.

Open Casting Call:

ORLANDO
Thursday, June 11th
Sheraton Hotel Orlando Downtown
60 S. Ivanhoe Blvd.
Orlando, FL 32804
9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

NEW YORK
Saturday, June 13th
Marriott at the Brooklyn Bridge
333 Adams St.
Brooklyn, NY 11201
9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

CHICAGO
Satuday, June 13th
Embassy Suites Chicago Downtown/Lakefront
511 N. Columbus Dr.
Chicago, IL 60611
9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

As I said last time, arrive early, make sure you fill out this application (tell them you found out about it from InTheSharkTank.com) and be prepared to answer these questions.

Follow us on twitter at Twitter.com/SharkTankABC

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Its time to put your best foot forward and meet the Shark Tank casting team face to face. Shark Tank is hosting four open casting call audition in Los Angeles, Orlando, New York and Chicago. If you want to audition for the show and are in the area I would highly recommend you attend one of these auditions. You will need to fill out this application form, and arrive early.

LOS ANGELES
Satuday, June 6th
Sheraton Los Angeles Downtown
711 S. Hope St.
9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

ORLANDO
Thursday, June 11th
Sheraton Hotel Orlando Downtown
60 S. Ivanhoe Blvd.
Orlando, FL 32804
9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

NEW YORK
Saturday, June 13th
Marriott at the Brooklyn Bridge
333 Adams St.
Brooklyn, NY 11201
9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

CHICAGO
Satuday, June 13th
Embassy Suites Chicago Downtown/Lakefront
511 N. Columbus Dr.
Chicago, IL 60611
9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

For those of you not in the area remember you can still apply by email: SharkTankCasting@yahoo.com with your name, age, contact info, a recent photo, and a brief, NON-CONFIDENTIAL description of your idea. Tell them In The Shark Tank sent you.
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