January 2012 Showcase Will Be Directed by Rick Najera in Association with AFTRA, East West Players, SAG and The Robey Theatre Company

Photos and Resumes Should Be Sent to AFTRA by Friday, Sept. 9, 2011,

Or Electronically via http://www.breakdownexpress.com/

            CBS will sponsor its seventh annual talent showcase for diverse sketch comedians in January 2012 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. 

            "We are fortunate to have Rick Najera and Fern Orenstein, CBS's Vice President, Casting, seek out the most talented comedic actors for our showcase that can literally change actors lives overnight," said Josie Thomas, CBS Senior Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer.

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

            The deadline for submissions is Friday, Sept. 9, 2011.  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. 

            "For all of us at CBS, it's about getting these talented actors work and we're thrilled to be able to provide them access to the top casting directors, agents and executive producers in the business," 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 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 http://www.cbscorporation.com/.

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Press Contacts:            

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

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