Mg (Ear Hrrl Students get a taste of life as a soap star BY MICHAEL PUCCI ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR “American Idol” isn’t the only talent competition America voted for last week. Two UNC students were announced as runners-up Monday in a nationwide search of college students for multi-episode roles on the CBS soap opera “The Young and the Restless.” Last week, sophomore Alexandra Villarreal and Brandon Smith, a graduate student in the Department of Dramatic Art, per formed screen tests along with eight other contenders on “The Early Show,” after which viewers voted on their favorite male and female. The search began on March 30, when the soap opera held an open pasting call at UNC-CH, as well as at four other universities across the country. “It was basically a cattle call,” Smith, 24, said. “A lot of kids were going in, but there were so many of us that the original audition was actually a brief interview, which usually isn’t typical.” Villarreal heard about the audi tions the day they were held, skip ping her 11 a.m. class and rushing home to print off a photograph. “My mom basically raised me on the show,” she said. “When I was a baby, 1 would hear it. I’ve always watched soaps. All my guy friends tease me because I watch it.” The 10 finalists were announced May 14 on “The Early Show.” Soon after, CBS e-mailed them the jßuy'Ch® 'jjgy i Get One preel'typi | Purchase any sandwich or large salad and get one FREE! j (Of equal or lesser value.) Not valid with any other offer. BEAR $' ROCK” Offer expire* 8/31/04 j ■ CAFE University Mall • 201 S. Estes Drive • Chapel Hill 942-4811 • Fax 942-1244 ; www.bearrockfoods.com ■ t ~ * n\ •r. /r ' S' ... - 1 ' ;*T* *" • V,.^" GUARANTEED OPEN UNTIL 4AM scripts, flew them up to New York (Villarreal from her home in Dayton, Ohio) and put them up at The Pierre, a Four Seasons hotel. “It was absolutely insane,” Smith recalled of how quickly everything came together. “I had no time to rehearse with someone until the morning of (my screen test).” Last Monday, Villarreal por trayed a sassy girl accusing a friend (played by Emmy-nominated actress Lauren Woodward) of sleeping with her boyfriend. “It was much different than my normal personality,” she said. “I usually don’t yell at people I don’t have friends who sleep with my boyfriend. It was cool to play the bitch.” Smith’s screen test came Tuesday, when he acted with Greg Rikaart in a heated scene in which they argue over an electrocuted girlfriend. “It was exhilarating and fun, and it was really nice to get to meet some of the people working profes sionally in the business,” Smith said. For Villarreal, whose only prior acting experiences were from small theater classes and in front of her mirror, the narrow loss didn’t diminish the luster of her unex pected opportunity. “This has been amazing expo sure for me,” she said. “I want to go into TV news, so this has been per fect.” Contact theA&E Editor at artsdesk@unc.edu. p. Healthy Mexl Always fresh, juicy, big and healthy. MENU SAMPLING: various menu items. $2 old school veggie burrito. 2 veggie burrito deluxe.... 4 chicken burrito 5 quesadilla ;. 3 chicken quesadilla 4 ...and more plus... all mexican beers $2 FiiSl l ANY ORDER OF $5 OR MORE EXPIRES 6/2/o4 r iSPfnCCi ■■ I ANY ORDER OF $7 OR MORE EXPIRES 6/2/04 CHAPEL HILL: 960-3955 right across the street from the varsity theatre at 126 franklin street [at the end of the hall} DURHAM: 286-1875 on 9th street and perry street [across from brueggersj NEW YORK CITY: east village, 3rd ave at 13th near nyu Edwards could sway race as VP Senator could boost Kerry’s N.C. bid BY MARK PUENTE STAFF WRITER John Kerry’s chances to carry North Carolina in November’s presidential election might increase if Sen. John Edwards, D- N.C., is his vice presidential candi date, according to a recent poll. In a Mason-Dixon poll, spon sored by WRAL-TV, 46 percent of North Carolinians asked said they would vote for President Bush even if Edwards were on Kerry’s ticket. Kerry, a Democratic senator from Massachusetts, still won 45 percent of the vote making the race dead even. But without Edwards on a theo retical Democratic ticket, Bush garnered 45 percent to Kerry’s 41 percent. Independent Ralph Nader received 3 percent, and 8 percent of voters were undecided. But experts say a Kerry- Edwards ticket still might not unseat Bush in the state. “It may help, but it might not be enough,” said Jack Fleer, professor emeritus of political science at Wake Forest University. North Carolina, a traditional Republican stronghold, is not con sidered a key battleground state for HE’S NOT HERE! on tho Village B ray 28... Frank’s Garage May 29... The Rocket Band 1 DON’T FORGET TUESDAYS BLUE CUP SPECIALS $2 COVER s2 DOMESTICS as3 IMPORTS News either candidate. Its electoral votes have not gone to a Democratic presidential candidate since Jimmy Carter took the state in 1976. The candidates’ behavior echoes these sentiments, as neither cam paign has run any television ads here. However, Edwards ran a formi dable presidential campaign that sparked a great deal of interest, particularly in his home state. And since poll results show that Bush’s support has weak ened, it might push Kerry to closely consider his campaign strategy less than six months before the election. Ferrel Guillory, director of UNC’s Program on Southern Politics, Media and Public Life, said the poll numbers combined with Edwards’ energizing of the Democratic Party could provide the group with some motivation. “It suggests doesn’t guaran tee, it only suggests the Democrats have a chance to win North Carolina.” At the same time, he added, “You have got to say that Bush is the front-runner in this state. He won last time.” One Check Covers it A11! "** V /. 2, 3 and 4 Bedrooms Available f A//1 til Hies Included! 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We are located just 2. y utiles from the UNC Campus and we invite you to compare Student Living at its Finest! Our unmatched list of amenities include a Huge, State-of-the-Art Fitness Center with over GOO lbs. of Free Weights, Free on-site Tanning Facilities, and Utilities including electric, phone, water, cable and high-speed internet make Student Fife at Chapel Ridge truly Stress-Free! Ask about our Specials! THURSDAY, MAY 27, 2004 | s* J ~ ** ' , v < jj* wß^' DTH FILE PHOTO Former Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards (center) could help John Kerry win North Carolinians' votes in the presidential race. Fleer said he is leery of the poll because it was taken at the height of the Iraqi prison abuse scandal. He said that people are willing to respond to pollsters’ questions but that how they respond in November is different. “The Republicans have the advantage. It’s Bush’s to lose,” Fleer BIOTERRORISM: Help Your Community Be Prepared! Join other Orange County volunteers on August 10th who are role-playing residents seeking medication following a simulated bioterrorist attack. Asa role-player, you will arrive at a distribution site and proceed through several stations. Volunteers can expect food, transportation as needed, and the opportunity to learn one of the many ways Orange County reinforces public health preparedness. Contact Laurie Bazemore, Volunteer Coordinator, for more information at 245-2388, said. Still, he added, “It is going to be an extraordinarily close election. Events in October and November will determine what happens on Election Day.” Contact the State & National Editor at stntdesk@unc.edu. 5

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