It wasn't all that long ago that Cameron Mathison (Ryan, All My Children) was auditioning for daytime roles, so he's very sympathetic to the actors auditioning on SOAPnet's I Wanna Be a Soap Star.
In fact, Mathison commiserated with the 12 reality-show contestants (six guys, six gals) being put through the pressure cooker of the audition process on-camera. "1 was feeling the pressure for them," he admits.
The Oct. 16 premiere introduces the dozen would-be soap stars and their living quarters on an ABC soundstage, leading to the first twist: There are only six beds.
Wanna Be teaches, then tests, the players in a variety of acting techniques, from how to do a cold reading to how a love scene is choreographed. Viewers can also expect visits from some reigning daytime stars. The prize is a 13-week contract role on General Hospital. "I have the job that these people are vying for," Mathison admits. One lucky wannabe gets a big break "handed to them on a silver platter. This is the sort of opportunity that could change their lives overnight."
However, just as in a real actor's life, there is rejection. At the end of each episode, one or more contestants is shown the door when their skills are reviewed by a panel of lively professionals: GH casting director Mark Teschner, Daytime Emmy winning actress Debbi Morgan (ex-Angle, AMC; ex-Ellen, Port Charles) and talent manager Michael Bruno.
I Wanna Be a Soap Star debuts Saturday, Oct. 16 at 8 p.m. EDT. The winner will be announced Nov. 20, and he or she will begin airing on GH the following week.