Lucy Bansley, 22, appears on the program Nov. 13, less than six months after graduating from Ball State and moving to Los Angeles in an attempt to break into show business.

Bansley was joined by several other aspiring actors and actresses during the taping of the show on Sept. 13. The Chicago-native admits using a bubbly "girl next door" personality to get on the program.

"The producers look for people who are outgoing, and I was a total ham," she said. "I had my Ball State sweatshirt on and was trying to be as bubbly as I could.

"The next thing I know my name is called, and I won the first prizes. Then I got onto the stage to meet (host) Bob Barker and then won a car. It just happened so fast. If you don't watch the first few minutes you'll miss me."

"The Price Is Right!" is the longest running game show in television history, now in its 31st season. The show is hosted by Barker, winner of 12 Daytime Emmy awards.

"I watched the show and always wondered why people act so crazy when they get on," Bansley said. "At first I wasn't nervous at all. I think it was due to my theater training at Ball State.

"But, when I won that car I lost all sense of reality. My friends said I just dropped to my knees and went crazy," she said. "I don't really remember it."

Rodger Smith, one of Bansley's Ball State theater professors, was not amazed his former pupil took home several prizes.

"Lucy is one of our most promising graduates," he said. "Her talent, work ethic and ability to focus have all prepared her for an outstanding career in the entertainment business.

"She also has the passion and energy to take advantage of whatever opportunity is presented to her," he said.  "Her 'Price Is Right' success isn't surprising. That they didn't offer her a job is."

The television show is the second opportunity for the young actress to showcase her skills. In addition to landing a role in an upcoming stage play of "Macbeth," Bansley was recently cast as a high school cheerleader in the NBC drama "American Dreams."

"I was on set for a couple of days and learned a great deal from the experience," she said. "I don't know how much of me they will use when they air the show later this year. It could be a lot, or you may only see my hand."

Bansley credits her undergraduate education and roles in several Ball State television commercials in helping her handle the competitive market found in Los Angeles.

She was featured in three "Everything You Need" commercials while at Ball State as well as several stage plays on campus.

"My professors were so wonderful and many became my mentors while I was in school," Bansley said. "Those television commercials were great because they gave me my initial experience and a lot of exposure. Ball State did a lot for me."