We were lucky to catch up with Sara Spadacene recently and have shared our conversation below.

Sara, appreciate you joining us today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

I just love the evolution of the creative process and finding out what works best for you and your craft, specifically when it pertains to auditions. The more TV and films that I watch, the more I understand that less is more. I have found that sometimes with auditions, when I’ve really prepped something and I’ve really done “the work” I’m so desperate for that work to SHOW UP, that I push too much, making sure that the audience GETS what I’m doing. There’s a lack of trust in my performance and in myself when you go at an audition that way. What I’m finding works best for me is to VERY SPECIFICALLY craft my thoughts for not just my lines, but my scene partners lines. After all, acting is reacting. I think that’s where you really have to live – in the internal dialogue. When you’re thinking about something specific – like actually specific – the audience can tell. Like Ryan Gosling is AMAZING at this. He’s always thinking something. Anyway, you do the specific thoughts, you do THAT work. And then when you approach an audition or show up on set, you let it go, have fun and be present. That’s where I’m currently at.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Love this question!

Hi! My name is Sara Spadacene and I am an actor, writer and producer from Pittsburgh, PA! I graduated from Elon University with my BFA is musical theatre. My credits include Dynasty (The CW), Mad About You (Sony/Spectrum), SWAT (CBS) and Betrayed (ID Channel). I’ve been in over fifteen national commercials, I’ve done voiceover work for Netflix Original films, I’m a member of the New American Theatre under the direction of Jack Stehlin, and I am one of the creators behind Argyle Gargoyle. Follow us on YouTube! I am a big pitbull advocate, I love Sarah J Maas – IF YOU KNOW YOU KNOW – I love taking care of my plants and honestly, I do CrossFit – say what you want!!! But it’s the best. I love my family and I am not only addicted to Facebook Market place but also to the little bundles of flowers that Trader Joe’s sells.

The most interesting piece of advice I think I have ever received in regards to the industry is this. I think the biggest lie that colleges tell there performing arts students (and it’s not their fault but it kind of is) or at least in my experience – is the idea that you can play any role. This idea that you can stretch yourself. And though that may be true and there is obviously a time and a place for that and for every actor, I think the real idea behind acting and a meaningful career is knowing your purpose and knowing what you do better than anyone else. I like the idea of going deeper into yourself and knowing yourself so intimately, as opposed to the idea of stretching. And when you know what YOU do, what YOU bring, what YOU think, it really allows you to show yourself through the script, which is ultimately what acting is. You use yourself as the vehicle to have the experience that the writer gives you. And then the rest isn’t up to you. And there is a freedom in that.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

I guess I would say this, acting isn’t the job. AUDITIONING is an actors job. To actually book a job is like – finding a million dollars. An actors actual job is auditioning.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

Oh God lol. This is more advice, but just a reminder that no one is better than you and that your resume or credits DO NOT define your self worth. You are a whole, beautiful and unique person regardless if you got that part or not and regardless whether or not that casting director called you in from that workshop. This industry is BIG and there is a place for everyone. TRUST.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @saraspad
• Facebook: Sara Spadacene
• Linkedin: @saraspadacene
• Twitter: @saraspadacene
• Youtube: @ArgyleGargoyle
• Other: TikTok: saraspad4

Image Credits
Chris John Photography Bia Jurema Jordan Roman Selfie by me