TV stars search for local talent, help community
ELIZABETH ROSS
Managing Editor
Eross4@wccnet.edu
MITCHELL HAASETH COURTESY PHOTO
Why watch soap opera actors on television when you can see them in person and maybe even be on TV yourself? Actors from “Days of Our Lives” will be around the Detroit area Nov. 12-14, and aspiring actors can take part in a local talent search.
Auditions are from 9 a.m.-7 p.m. on Nov. 13 at the MGM Grand Detroit. Those without acting chops can compete to be Detroit’s biggest Days fan and win a trip to visit the show’s set.
Actors from the show who will be in town include Bryan Dattilo (Lucas), Nadia Bjorlin (Chloe), James Reynolds (Abe) and Shelley Hennig (Stephanie).
In an interview with The Washtenaw Voice, Hennig said the best advice she could give to aspiring actors is to have confidence.
“I think that’s how a lot of the people on our show were cast, because they had this innate confidence in themselves,” said Hennig, 23, a native of Louisiana. “They’re comfortable with who they are and that reads to people. It gives other people this sense of calmness about you and it makes them comfortable about hiring you.”
Hennig became an actress after she won the title of Miss Teen USA 2004 and won a scholarship to The New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts.
“I’d never acted a day in my life,” Hennig said. “I was a dancer, but I didn’t want to turn down a free scholarship.”
Hennig booked Days after her first audition and was allowed to graduate a month early to start the job.
Although Hennig said that being an actress is a difficult job, she finds it emotionally rewarding and she brings herself to her character.
“I bring my true emotions to every scene,” Hennig said. “It’s never contrived. That’s something I really pride myself on. My mom will call me sometimes and say, ‘Wow. I saw Shelley today on the show. That was totally you.’”
While the actors are in town searching for talent, they’ll also be helping the community. Fans are encouraged to bring non-perishable food to each event to donate to Gleaners Community Food Bank.
Omari Taylor, marketing manager at the food bank, said that Days and WDIV reached out to them to participate.
“They knew the need for food was huge in Michigan so they wanted to give back while they’re in Detroit,” Taylor said.
The food bank specifically needs canned goods like tuna, soup and ravioli. Taylor also said that baby formula also is in short supply.
Taylor said that the Days actors will present a check to the food bank for $5,000. The money will be used “to feed and nourish our hungry neighbors.”
“The need for emergency food is the highest in Gleaner’s history,” Taylor said. “We’re thankful to “Days of Our Lives” and WDIV for stepping up at this critical time.”
