PORTSMOUTH, Va. — If you're a business owner looking to get your ideas out into the world, the perfect opportunity for you is coming to Portsmouth.
ABC's "Shark Tank" announced that the four-time Emmy Award-winning show will be holding a casting call for its upcoming 16th season in Virginia for the first time, at Rivers Casino Portsmouth and in collaboration with 13News Now.
The Portsmouth casting call will be the first live audition on the East Coast for Shark Tank's 16th season. Here's what you need to know about it.
Open call will happen in mid-April
The "Open Call" for entrepreneur pitches will be at the casino's event center beginning at 9 a.m. on Friday, April 12. Applications are available on ABC's website and will also be available on-site.
Numbered wristbands will be distributed between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. and the first pitches will begin at approximately 10 a.m. Contestants may begin lining up at 8 a.m. that morning. No one is permitted to line up before then.
How the auditions will work
Those selected to audition will be given wristbands from 10 to 11 a.m. along with a timeframe to check when they'll pitch. Anyone who receives a wristband will be guaranteed to be seen, but the participants' application needs to be completed before coming.
All participants will have an equal opportunity to deliver a one-minute pitch about their business, product, or idea to a member of the casting team during the open call. They will also get a total of five minutes with the casting directors.
The Sharks will not participate in the auditions
To preserve the authenticity and integrity of Shark Tank’s on-camera pitches, the Sharks do not participate in casting calls.
But hopefuls who attend April's event at Rivers Casino Portsmouth are urged to wow and dazzle the Shark Tank casting team and prepare pitches as if they're actually on the show.
People under 21 are allowed to come to auditions
Even though the auditions will be held at Rivers Casino Portsmouth, those under 21 can come since the event is taking place at the Event Center.