BWW Blog: THE RESIDUALS Say, "Auditioning, Dating Ridiculously Similar"

By: May. 25, 2015
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Next month, BroadwayWorld will debut the second season of hit webseries THE RESIDUALS. In anticipation, series creator Michael Paul Smith is taking a look back at the ins and outs of filming the first two seasons in an exclusive BWW Blog Series. Check out last week's first installment here, and read the new blog below.

Also, every Tuesday and Thursday on BWW, THE RESIDIALS will release new video content, including episode commentary, outtakes, and more.

Smith writes, directs, and stars in THE RESIDUALS, along with his wife Gillian Pensavalle, who also stars and edits. To find out more about THE RESIDUALS, visit their website www.theresiduals.tv.


"Auditions and dating: so similar it's ridiculous"

It's supposed to be fun, but you're nervous and self-conscious and trying not to think too hard about what they're thinking about you. You're prepared yet trying to be spontaneous. You're looking your best, but trying to be casual. And you're not sure what's going to happen next. Clearly, I could be describing either of two things. And the similarities go on and on. Here's a few things to keep in mind when you're sitting in the low-lit happy hour spot known as (insert performance space or casting office here).

Be yourself/don't try too hard

Whether you're playing a character in an audition or playing yourself on a date (or in an audition), it has to come from a comfortable place. If it isn't, then it's going to be hard for you to sustain, and pretty disappointing for them when they find out the truth.

Don't be nervous. Even if you are!

By that, I mean do your best to find a technique that helps you manage your nervousness, and while you're practicing that, accept the fact that nervousness will happen! I've never been on an audition (or a date--in my single days) that I wasn't nervous about...ever. But I did eventually learn that the best way to act in spite of nervousness is to treat it with compassion. Tell yourself, "Yup. There it is. I'm nervous. Right on schedule." If you become nervous that you're nervous, you'll get into panic mode pretty quickly, and then you're REALLY not yourself.

Have fun!

Listen, and be open to whatever feedback may come your way. They're hoping that you will be worth their time and investment in the long-term. I think that a really fun audition may be the dating equivalent of "We're already completing each other's sentences!"

You're being judged. And not just for your personality.

It's a cruel world, and a crueler business. Luckily, there's a casting for every "type" sooner or later. Which I guess is the industry equivalent of "Somewhere there's a-someone for everyone."

Callbacks are like your second date.

You wanna improve upon what you did previously, but you also want to show consistency--after all, they called you back (or texted you back, as the case may be) for a reason.

If they don't like you, that has to be ok.

Effort is good, desperation is bad. So embrace the moment, and let go of the outcome. And good news---it's always their turn to call!

Do you have any questions? Tweet us or message us!


To get caught up on Season One, visit www.theresiduals.tv. You can also follow the show on Twitter@TheResiduals, "Like" it on Facebook, or follow them on Instagram.



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