The reality series The Sing-Off has gotten the green light for a third season, and auditions are currently underway in various cities around the country to find the next hot a cappella vocal group.  Check below after the interview with casting director Michelle McNulty for a list of cities and dates where the auditions will be held.

USTOWNHALL SPEAKS TO MICHELLE McNULTY, CASTING DIRECTOR FOR THE SING-OFF:

USTH: I noticed in your bio you've cast not only music shows and singing shows but On the Lot with Steven Spielberg and America's Best Dance Crew.

So going from singing to dancing to film – and all these areas might not actually be part of your background – so when you do cast a show that's not part of your background, what makes something pop for you? What do you look for when you cast – when you say, "This would be a good contestant for my show," whatever show it happens to be?

MICHELLE McNULTY: Well, I think it's that thing that we all talk about in this business – that "it" factor – that thing that's sort of intangible. And I think it's the performance and when they come in here and how they're connecting with you. And I actually do have a bit of a performance background so these performance shows actually work very well for me.

So, it's that confidence and that coming in there and really nailing that performance – connecting with the audience. You can tell the people that work and that train at what they do which is so important for the types of shows that I've been doing. It's not just coming in and being a silly character and getting that 15 minutes of fame.

We're looking for people that really train at what they do whether it's dancing or whether it's singing and movie making on top of that. So it's that kind of intangible "it" factor thing that we always look for.

USTH: I notice you're also casting The Voice. I guess you must have recognized Frenchie Davis from American Idol. What was your thought process when she came into the auditions and you saw her? Did you feel that you wanted to give her a second chance at a shot on television?

MICHELLE McNULTY: Well, I think so. I mean, we all remember Frenchie and that big voice that she had that sort of captivates you in a way and gives you those goosebumps when she sang. And it was sad to me that she never got – she didn't get eliminated because of singing, she got eliminated for something that she had done in her past.

And for me, when you're a performer you've got ups and downs and you train your whole life for this or you spent so many hours training for it, to not get that shot that she, in my opinion, deserved – that was one of those things that I thought was exciting about having her there and having her involved with the show.

And that's again one of those things that is so important I think across the board with all of our shows, with all the shows that I'm sort of doing right now is these performers are training and working and this is their dream or their passion.

And when you see that when they walk in the room and then they give this great performance and you get goosebumps – it's one of the reasons why I love my job so much. I love it because you see that passion behind what they're doing. Whether it's a cappella or dancing or singing, I love it – even boxing.

USTH: As a casting director, do you ever watch any of the other reality competitions out there – let's say American Idol or the other ones – and pick out contestants that you think might be good for you in the future if they don't work out in the show that they're already on?

MICHELLE McNULTY: Well listen, I love reality television. I absolutely love reality television – everything from Survivor, which I still watch after all of these seasons, to our show. I definitely watch American Idol.

When I'm watching shows at home, I'm sort of just watching as a viewer to be quite honest with you. And if there is somebody that sort of sparks my interest, I think that's great. When I'm sitting at home watching television it's because I'm enjoying TV. But I do love reality.

USTH: Our thanks to Michelle McNulty of The Sing Off for speaking with us today.  Audtions for the next season of The Sing Off take place in the following cities: