Philadelphia auditions

I just got back from my final audition, and I can't thank those of you enough who have posted your own experiences and tips for these auditions!  I felt so prepared for the process going in, which definitely helped to manage my nerves, so I was really able to just enjoy the experience!  The actual process has been detailed very fully on other posts, so I'll try not to repeat, but I will still give a recap of my experience and some things I noticed in the hopes that it may be helpful to others in the future!

I definitely noticed that there were unfortunately some folks who did not seem to be taking the direction of the CCs, so for anyone who is going to a future audition - make sure you listen to them!  Speak clearly and loudly - think of whatever volume you think is too loud, and then go one level higher...seriously!  With all the clapping going on, even if you are in the front of the room, like I was, you still need to be very loud for the CCs to hear you!  And MAKE SURE you cut out any extra words (e.g., "I'd like a...").  They even told us, don't ask for "THE s", just say "S".  I have a feeling that many people were unfortunately not considered because they did not heed this advice, even though the CCs came back to it several times.

Now, begins the agonizing two-week wait, but "I've got a good feeling about this!"  I got to start off the 2nd or 3rd puzzle of the day, and one of the CCs said "great voice" when I called out my letters.  I was in the front, but I nearly shouted to make sure I could be heard over the clapping and to show I was paying attention.  And don't forget about the vowels!  The CCs mentioned it several times, and the video they showed us of Pat and Vanna wishing us luck specifically mentioned this too.  Like others in this forum have mentioned, the CCs will intentionally land on Free Play many, many times, and they are expecting you to call a vowel!  If you don't, that's a sign that you're not listening to them properly.  Each time I spun and guessed a consonant, I made sure to buy a vowel afterwards to show that I was listening when they talked about how important vowels are.  Also, make sure that you are standing in a relaxed stance, with no arms crossed or hands in pockets - they got on several people about that - and be sure to clap for yourself and be excited when you get a letter right - they also gave several people this note!  After I guessed about 3 or 4 correct letters, they bankrupted me intentionally.  And then, even though they came back to several other players a second (even a third) time in that first round of puzzles (before the test), they never came back to me.  My (hopeful) assumption is that they saw good game play from me during my first round, and they did not need to see any more.

After the first round of 15 or 20 puzzles on the projection board, it was time for the test. This was the part I was most nervous about.  I played the WoF app game as much as I could on my phone leading up to this to practice and went into it feeling good, but that test has a way of humbling you!  I counted 8 puzzles that I think I got 100%, and 3 or 4 more that I was able to fill in at least a few words.  I personally found the Before & After puzzles the hardest on the test.  Whatever you do, make sure to look over the whole test and look at all the puzzles - there may be some you get instantly, but if you spend your whole 5 minutes on a few hard ones, you'll miss out on easier answers!  I unfortunately talked to one person who said that he never made it past the first category of 4 puzzles because he was focused so hard on them!

The CCs took about 40-60 minutes to grade the tests, during which time we got a break to talk to each other, use the restroom, make phone calls, etc., and then they played the 4000th episode, as others have said they do.  I got to meet several really nice people.  Some of them said they had searched contestant blogs to try to get information before the audition, but I didn't meet anyone who was familiar with this site.  I told a few people about it, so hopefully they'll be coming by and checking it out!  There were even a few people I met who came up from Raleigh, NC to Philadelphia!  I recall from the boards here that there was a Wheelmobile event in Raleigh several months ago, so I guess they were invited from that, but it seems like such a long distance to ask people to travel.  I was very impressed with their dedication for driving/flying that far!

After the CCs returned from grading the tests, they explained that they were going to ask some people to stay to play more games to give the CCs another chance to take a look at them.  They said that if your name was not called, your audition is over, and some of you may get a letter, but some of you won't.  My name was not called to stay for more games, which I'm taking as a good sign (I hope!), since they only asked me to play once during the first round, gave me some compliments, and (with the partial credit), I think I did OK on the test.  Now, I wait.  I'm going to assume I won't hear anything next week, since it seems like most people have gotten their letters right around (or shortly after) Day 14, but I'm sure it will be on my mind!  I hope to be back in two weeks with good news!

It sounds like we had the same crew at our auditions! I remember Shannon, Jackie, and Teddy. I don't remember the tech guy's name, but it may have been Alex.

Hi gmaslen, I was at the 10am audition last Thursday. Glad to see someone else from the Philadelphia audition on here! I’m guessing next Thursday is the earliest we could get a letter. I’m keeping my fingers crossed! The wait is so hard!

Today marks two weeks since my Philly audition, and no letter in the mail. I guess being on the show just wasn’t in the cards for me. Good luck to everyone else who auditioned! I hope to see some familiar faces on tv in the near future!!

I waited three weeks for my letter. Keep the faith kid!

I didn’t get a letter today, either, but I felt really good leaving my audition, so I’m hoping it just means the letters are delayed by a day or two. I’ve seen several people on here mention that they got their letters on Friday or Saturday right after the two-week mark, and even a few who waited 3 weeks. Keeping my fingers crossed!

I got a letter today!!!! OMG!!! I am so excited!!!

Congratulations, gmaslen!! I'm so happy for you! I can't wait to get out of work so I can go home and check my mail!

Congrats! 🎉😉👏🏾