[quote name=\'Vgmastr\' post=\'248915\' date=\'Oct 8 2010, 06:32 PM\']The Wheelmobile made a trip to my neck of the woods two weeks ago. I went and was lucky enough to get called up on stage. I managed to solve the puzzle and apparently showed enough personality to get an invite to the final round of auditions at the end of this month. For anyone who has been through this process, any tips for the audition? I know to be energetic, clap and cheer for everyone, always smile, be a good game player and don't hem and haw. Is there any specific thing the contestant coordinators look for, or anything I should know going into it?[/quote]
You've already listed all the biggies. If I recall properly from my audition, the only non-gameplay-related talking we had to do was introduce ourselves when we were called up to play the full mock game. I'd recommend having a 10- to 15-second response ready for the vague statement, "Tell us about yourself."
Here's what to expect: First, they play some speed-up rounds. They'll pick people in an arbitrary order. You stand up, call a letter, solve the puzzle if you can, then sit back down. They'll do this 'til everyone's had two or three turns. Then there's a written test. You have five minutes to complete sixteen partially-filled-in puzzles of varying difficulty.
Then there's a break while they go grade the tests. When they come back, they'll call the names of the people they'd like to have stick around for the second part (in my case, it was 13 of the 48 women and 11 of the 12 men present). They'll call you to the front of the room three or four at a time, and you'll introduce yourself, then simulate playing the main game (including spinning a giant imaginary wheel in front of you). Once they've seen enough to make a decision either way, they'll tell you to return to your seat.
That's all there is to it. If they want you for the show, they'll mail you a letter a couple of weeks later. Good luck!