CBS to Sponsor 8th Annual Diversity Sketch Comedy Showcase

CBS will sponsor its eighth annual talent showcase for diverse sketch comedians in January 2013 in Los Angeles. Executive producer and writer Rick Najera ("Mad TV," "Latinologues," "Nothing Like The Holidays," "In Living Color") will again direct the showcase for CBS.

“Through the incredible efforts of CBS Casting Vice President Fern Orenstein and Rick Najera, outstanding talent from coast to coast has been identified and an impressive 80 actors’ careers have been launched as series regulars or in recurring roles. Our next showcase promises to be another platform for introducing diverse talent and impacting the industry,” said Josie Thomas, CBS Senior Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer.

Photos and resumes should be sent to SAG-AFTRA, 5757 Wilshire Blvd., 9th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90036 (c/o EEO Department, Attn: CBS Comedy Showcase). Submissions can also be sent electronically via www.breakdownexpress.com through the "actor’s access" section and link listed as the CBS Diversity Sketch Comedy Showcase.

All submissions should be received by 5:00 PM, ET/PT on Friday, Sept. 7, 2012. Please note: The showcase is focused on African American, Asian American, Latino, Native American, Pacific Islander, LGBT actors and performers with disabilities. Actors 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. An invitation has also been extended to casting directors from production companies that work with CBS.

"This highly competitive showcase provides a huge stage for these talented actors and also exposure to some of the most prominent casting directors, agents and executive producers in the business, which in turn secures jobs," said Peter Golden, CBS Executive Vice President, Talent and Casting.

The Network's ongoing 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 its ninth 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, Native American Talent Showcases, 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. Additional events are planned with these and other groups.

For more information regarding the CBS Diversity Institute, please go to www.cbscorporation.com.