Published Sunday, August 11, 2002
NEW WILMINGTON
Herald Staff Writer
A casting call for 300 extras to be in the television drama "The West Wing" brought out at least 1,500 people Saturday morning and early afternoon at Westminster College. And those who get a bit part may also get a chance to see Martin Sheen.
Last week, The Lawrence County Tourist Promotion Agency announced that the NBC political drama will be filming part of its two-hour season premiere in the Volant area, and put out a call for extras to play parts such as White House staffers, politicians, farmers, bus drivers and Secret Service agents.
Registration for those parts started at 11 a.m. Saturday in Orr Auditorium on campus, but at least a 100 people were waiting at 8:20 a.m.
"Its fun to do it in a community like this. The enthusiasm here is wonderful," said Nancy Mosser, of Nancy Mosser Casting in Pittsburgh, who ran the casting call. "I wanted it to be a really good scene and it is."
Once the doors opened, people came in, sat at tables and filled out registration forms, then turned them in with their photos to the 30-plus volunteers from the college and the tourism agency. The process took less than 15 minutes per person, and lines were minimal.
"I thought it was something different for this area," said Susan Wallace, 37, of Greenville, a court crier at Mercer County Courthouse. "I also thought it would be a chance to see some stars."
"I came just for the fun of it," said investment broker Sam Buzzacco, 44, of Youngstown, who wants to be a White House staffer. "I think I have that distinguished White House staffer kind of look," he added with a laugh.
The star that many people said they wanted to see was Martin Sheen, who plays President Josiah Bartlet.
"There was probably flames on my information form, I got it in so fast," said Jackie Meade, director of the Career Center for Westminster College and an avid West Wing viewer. "I'm also very star struck and would like to see those people, especially Martin Sheen."
The portion of the episode filmed in the Volant area will be like "a planes, trains, and automobile adventure" according to Ms. Mosser, and will include actors Sheen, Allison Janney, Richard Schiff, Bradley Whitford and Janel Moloney.
"It's a very funny script. It will be (these actors) on the campaign trail, and this area will be a stop on the campaign trail," said Ms. Mosser. She added that they are still looking for someone in the area with a mid-'90s red Jeep Wrangler with an automatic transmission to be used by one of the stars.
Jami King, 32, of New Castle, an employee of Delphi Packard Electric Systems, Warren, was an extra for a movie called "The Year That Trembled," about the Kent State shootings.
"The whole behind-the-scenes thing is just really neat. It's not really the acting or being an extra, its just watching how they make it happen," he said.
And it wasn't just fans of the show applying for the positions.
"I don't watch it. It was just a spontaneous thing," said Lisa Puntureri, 21, of Liberty Township, a senior theater major at Slippery Rock University. "My co-workers printed out the information and said, 'This is your big chance.' "
Westminster College sophomore Chelsea Abbott, 19, of Port Allegheny, had family members drive her the two and a half hour to this area to register, even though school is not in session for a couple of weeks.
"If I get the part, I'll find a ride to come back, even if I camp out," said the elementary education major. "I've never seen the show. I might start now."
For more information, call Nancy Mosser Casting at (412) 434-1466, or check out www.nbc.com/The_West_Wing/indexhtml