EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Joseph Ausanio Shares His Story and What Inspired 'Troy's Big Break,' His Comedy Web Series Featuring a Deaf Cast & Crew

Troy's Big Break creator and star Joseph Ausanio. Photo by Tamme Stitt - © 2013

The countdown is on to the 6th Annual Indie Series Awards on April 1st and Serial Scoop has been featuring some of the nominated series and performers and will continue to do so over the next six weeks. There were other terrific independently produced web series in contention that also deserve special recognition, not only for their entertaining stories and remarkable talent in front of and behind the camera, but because of the originality they present and the impact they are having on the world. One such show is the comedy Troy's Big Break, which features a Deaf cast and crew, and tells the story of Troy Lawrence, an aspiring theatre director who faces obstacles in life while he searches for a star for his upcoming production. The series was created by Joseph Ausanio, who produced with series director Taylor Repetski. Ausanio also stars as Troy in the talented cast which includes Fallon Baue (Trixie), Frances Sorrentino (Flo), Meagan Zdep (Diane) and Samantha Shupe (Vivian).

Serial Scoop asked Ausanio to share his story with our readers and tell us how Troy's Big Break came to be. Read our exclusive interview with the multi-talented charming young artist below.

SERIAL SCOOP: Can you tell us about your background leading up to now. Have you always wanted to be a writer and/or producer?
JOSEPH AUSIANO: Yes, I was born in Kingston, NY. Over a week after I was born, I became ill with bacterial meningitis. I lost my hearing due to that, and my parents were devastated, but remained optimistic. They taught me sign language. My father used to pitch for the New York Yankees and now is a softball coach at Marist College and my mother works in Human Resources. When I was four years old, I had a cochlear implant surgery and was put in a mainstream school with an interpreter. I graduated with a BFA degree in Film/Theatre from Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) in Rochester, NY, and currently, I’m back at RIT, working towards a Master’s in Deaf education. For as long as I can remember, back to my early childhood, I’ve always wanted to write, produce and perform in films and on stage.