| DISNEY/ABC TELEVISION GROUP’S CASTING DEPARTMENT CELEBRATES 10TH ANNIVERSARY PROVIDING A PLATFORM TO PRESENT DIVERSE ACTORS TO THE INDUSTRY |
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12 Actors to Perform in Casting Project’s 28th Talent showcase in Los Angeles for a Select Group of Network and Industry Executives on October 25 Actors Will Receive a Network Mentor for One Year, in Addition to the Continuing |
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Disney/ABC Television Group’s Casting Project will celebrate its 10th anniversary and 28th showcase as part of its longstanding efforts to seek out and develop culturally and ethnically diverse talent and actors with disabilities by featuring 12 talented, yet-to-be discovered actors. The presentations will take place at the El Portal Theatre Center for Performing Arts in North Hollywood on Tuesday, October 25.
Twelve actors were selected from among more than 7000 candidates who submitted their resumes and the 500 who auditioned for ABC casting executives in Los Angeles. The actors will showcase their skills in one-act vignettes directed by Sue Hamilton and Marilyn Tokuda to an audience of industry executives and decision makers. Many of the actors selected were submitted through showcase partners AFTRA, CAPE, East West Players, Media Access, Nostros, The Robey Theatre and SAG, as well as many other theatre companies and organizations in the Los Angeles area. Following the showcase, all 12 actors will be assigned a network executive from the casting department who will act as their mentor and help nurture their skills and provide guidance throughout the year. The actors will also audition throughout for ABC Entertainment Group’s current series and pilots. The talented actors to be featured at the Los Angeles showcase, which is not open to the public, are: Emanuel Borria, Charlet Chung, Nicci Faires, Chrissie Fit, Kelly Jenrette, Rachna Khatau, Rhasaan Orange, Teni Penosian, Andreas Riter, James Ryen, Brandon Scott and Alex Shipp. The casting showcase is spearheaded by Keli Lee, executive vice president, Casting; Peachy Pascual, manager, Casting; Felicia Davis, coordinator, Casting, Lynn Esparo and the Los Angeles casting office. “Celebrating our 10th anniversary with our 28th showcase truly demonstrates ABC’s dedication to discover and mentor incredible actors with a strong focus on diversity,” said Ms. Lee. “The relationships we’ve built with our partners surrounding this showcase and the opportunities we’ve been able to provide to actors at ABC reflect our efforts to spotlight emerging talent in the entertainment business.” ABC’s Los Angeles and New York Talent Showcases have been the launching pad for discovering new talent, including Jesse Williams, who currently stars on “Grey’s Anatomy” as The Disney/ABC Television Group’s commitment to discovering and nurturing diverse talent is exemplified through many different programs, including the Casting Project, the Disney/ABC Writing Program, the Disney/ABC/DGA Directing Program, The Production Associates Program and The National Hispanic Media Coalition (NHMC) Writing Workshop. |