Release

CBS TO SPONSOR FIFTH MULTICULTURAL SKETCH COMEDY TALENT SHOWCASE

To be Directed by Rick Najera, in Association with AFTRA, American Indians in Film and Television, East West Players, Nosotros, SAG and The Robey Theatre Company

  Photos and Resumes Should be Sent to AFTRA by Friday, August 28, 2009

or Electronically at http://www.breakdownexpress.com/

  

            CBS will sponsor its fifth talent showcase for multicultural sketch comedians in January 2010 in Los Angeles.  Executive producer and writer, Rick Najera ("Mad TV," "Latinolouges" "Nothing Like The Holidays," "In Living Color"), will again direct the showcase for CBS. 

 

            "Rick continues to create a collaborative directing environment with the actors and we are fortunate to have him back again with us this year.  The team of Rick and Fern Orenstein, VP CBS Casting, provides the perfect combination of creative energy for our top notch showcases," said Josie Thomas, CBS Senior Vice President, Diversity. 

 

            Photos and resumes should be sent to AFTRA, 5757 Wilshire Blvd., 9th Floor, Los Angeles, CA. 90036 - c/o Caroline Coderoni Attn: CBS Comedy Showcase.  Submissions can also be sent electronically at http://www.breakdownexpress.com/ through actors access listed as the CBS Multicultural Sketch Comedy Showcase.

 

            The deadline for submissions is August 28, 2009.  Please note:  the showcase is focused on African-American, Asian-American, Latino, Native American and Pacific Islander actors and performers with disabilities, who should possess extensive sketch comedy experience.  Each audition will require a one-minute original sketch comedy monologue.

 

            CBS Entertainment executives, casting directors from the Network's primetime and daytime programs, as well as casting directors from shows on other networks, will be on hand at the Showcase -- and an invitation has also been extended to casting directors from production companies that work with CBS. 

 

            "Again this year, we're thrilled to be able to provide our showcase participants access to top casting directors, agents, and executive producers," said Peter Golden, CBS Executive Vice President, Talent and Casting.

 

            The Network's on-going talent showcases are part of the CBS Diversity Institute, a comprehensive program designed to identify and develop diversity within the writing, directing and talent communities.  In addition to the Diversity Talent Showcases, currently in their seventh year, the CBS Diversity Institute includes the CBS Writers Mentoring Program, the CBS Directing Initiative and numerous actor workshops conducted nationwide, as well as writer workshops conducted in Los Angeles.

 

           Other CBS showcases have included Latino American Talent Showcases in partnership with NOSOTROS, Native American Talent Showcases in association with American Indians in TV and Film, Asian Pacific American Actors Showcases in association with East West Players, African American Showcases in collaboration with The Robey Theatre Company and a showcase for performers with disabilities in association with the California State Media Access Office.  More events are planned with these and other groups.

 

For information regarding the CBS Diversity Institute, please go to http://www.cbsdiversity.com/.

 

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Press Contacts:            

Phil Gonzales                            818-655-1580             phil.gonzales@cbs.com

Tiffany Smith-Anoa'i                 818-655-1587             tiffany.smith@cbs.com

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