Photo Credit: Pink Monkey Studio.

Summer is finally upon us, and now that we’re no longer tied down by school, work, and general life obligations it’s the perfect time to find a new show to fill that TV void. UP TV’s Date My Dad is one of those new shows that’s perfect for the entire family. It stars Barry Watson, who plays a former professional baseball player who lost his wife in a tragic accident, and now he’s faced with some pretty big hurdles. Like raising his three daughters on his own. Now, I know what you’re thinking… this sounds super sad and why, McKenzie, why!? But– let me tell you– it’s less of a downer, and more of a feel good, funny show about family. And did I mention it has heart? Lots of it.

Audrey Smallman plays the intellectually intune Gigi, who has teamed up with her sisters to get their dad back in the dating game. Sneaky little girls, and just like you’d imagine– hilarity ensues. Smallman, who got her start in acting at the tender age of five, has a bright future ahead of her and illuminates the small screen with her charisma and precision.

I spoke with her about working on this show, as well as her upcoming project with former Disney star Bella Thorne.

MCKENZIE MORRELL: Hi Audrey, thank you for taking the time to answer a few questions about Date My Dad. To start, can you tell us a little bit about the show, and Gigi, the character you play?

AUDREY SMALLMAN: The Show “Date My Dad” is about a family who have gone through some tough times. The mother of the family has passed away leaving the father, played by Barry Watson, to take care of the three daughters with the help of the grandmother, played by Rachel Welch. I play the youngest daughter Gigi. So it’s about the family moving forward and letting the father know it’s okay for him to start dating again. Gigi is a little 8 year old brainiac and I LOVE playing her! She is super smart, kind and really funny!

MM: Did you know who Barry Watson was, prior to landing the role of his on-screen daughter? I myself was a big fan of him on a show back in the day called 7th Heaven.

AS: No, I don’t know who most people are! But I’m positive you’ll be a fan of Barry Watson in “Date My Dad” too!!

MM: The kids have taken it into their own hands to get their dad back into the dating scene… do you think they hope he’ll find happiness throughout the process?

AS: I think they already think he is happy but I think he’d be even happier with a new girlfriend. I think some women might not be right for him but I think it will be an exciting and fun journey for Ricky Cooper and the kids to go through. Hopefully, eventually he will find love again.

MM: Do you share any character traits with Gigi? Anything that’s widely different from your real personality?

AS: Yes I definitely share some character traits with Gigi! We are both quirky, unique, our style, we both love our two siblings but sometimes get annoyed with them too. We are both pretty smart! When I was 6 years old I knew all the presidents of the United States in order! …But don’t ask me now!

MM: Have you found that your Hallmark fans have followed you to Date My Dad? What has the response been like?

AS: I only recently opened an Instagram and Twitter account (@audrey_smallman) and there has been a few twitter followers that have recognized me from the Hallmark Movie “Family For Christmas”. Overall the response has been great!

MM: Any techniques for remembering lines, or tackling comedy vs. drama?

AS: Just don’t give up! My mom and I have a special way of tackling the longer monologues… but it’s a secret. My mom always takes the time to explain things to me now, things that I don’t understand. That way I can get the context of the situation. With comedy I just think in my head “it’s funny” so I laugh. I am pretty funny anyhow.  With Drama I try to feel the emotion of the situation like “disappointed” or “mad”

MM: Do you enjoy doing short films, or TV shows? Do you find they are very different or similar to one another?

AS: TV shows!! Because I get to work with everyone longer and then it is also on TV too so all my friends can see it! Short films and TV shows aren’t really similar… It’s only similar because I am acting in both, they both have directors and crews. The difference is that in TV there are different directors for each episode and a short film only has one director. AND also the amount of people it takes to make a TV show is way more than a short film.

MM: If you could build a donut based on Gigi’s personality, what kind of donut would it be and what kind of toppings would be on it?

AS: MMM! Okay so it would be one chocolate donut with a pretzel stick connecting it to another vanilla donut on the other side with pretzel sticks coming off each side… to look like a pair of glasses! WITH blue icing! Maybe blueberry cake dough and blueberry icing! Or it could be a blueberry cake donut with no hole in the middle AND no cream filling with a grad hat emoji on it! We should make this!!! 

Drawing Courtesy of Audrey Smallman.

MM: If you were on a kids cooking show, what would be your signature dish?

AS: My signature dish would be a Nutella sandwich because that is pretty much all I can cook and I LOVE Nutella!

MM: Why should people tune into Date My Dad?

AS: People should watch “Date My Dad” because it is the perfect show for everyone! It is a show you can watch with anyone with some really positive messages! You will laugh and cry and really get to love all the characters!

MM: Any other projects you are working on, or that are upcoming that you’d like to share with the readers?

AS: Yes! Another project I worked on is “Midnight Sun” with Bella Thorne, Patrick Schwarzenegger and Rob Riggle. It looks like it will be released in January 2018.  I also worked on another film titled “Pretty little Dead Girl” with Makenzie Vega, but I am not sure when it will be released.

MM: Thank you so much for chatting with NoWhiteNoise. We’re looking forward to seeing more of your work in the future!

AS: THANK YOU so much!!