.png)
CBS Announces 21 Performers Participating in 2018 Diversity Comedy Showcase
By: Caryn Robbins Jan. 03, 2018
CBS today announced the 21 performers participating in the 2018 CBS DIVERSITY COMEDY SHOWCASE which will begin its run of six shows on Jan. 23 at the El Portal Theatre in Los Angeles. Since its inception 13 years ago, THE CBS DIVERSITY COMEDY SHOWCASE has developed into a hybrid comedy show with Broadway-worthy live performances and original, creative writing. Recognized by many as the industry leader in actor showcases designed to highlight diverse talent, THE CBS DIVERSITY COMEDY SHOWCASE is attended by senior-level CBS Entertainment executives, showrunners and casting directors from series on CBS, as well as other networks and talent agents/managers from across the entertainment industry.
This year's showcase saw over 800 auditions with sessions in Los Angeles, New York and Chicago. Hundreds of performers also auditioned via self-tape. Over the four-month rehearsal period, over 500 original sketches are written, with 20 making it to the stage.
The schedule for the 2018 DIVERSITY COMEDY SHOWCASE is as follows: Tuesday, Jan. 23 - Friday, Jan. 26at 7:30 PM, PT with afternoon shows on Wednesday, Jan. 24 and Thursday, Jan. 25 at 1:00 PM, PT.
As previously announced, Grace Parra ("The Nightly Show") and Stephen Guarino (I'M DYING UP HERE) will co-direct, and Nahreen Tarzi and Chris Eckert will serve as the head writers. All four are showcase alumni.
Other alumni of the THE CBS DIVERSITY COMEDY SHOWCASE include Emmy Award winner Kate McKinnon ("Saturday Night Live"), Justin Hires (MACGYVER), Geoffrey Arend (MADAM SECRETARY), and Eugene Codero (CRAZY EX-GIRLFRIEND), among numerous others. For more information about CBS Diversity & Inclusion, please visit: https://www.cbscorporation.com/diversity/.
Image courtesy of CBS
Following are the 21 performers participating in the 2018 CBS DIVERSITY COMEDY SHOWCASE:
|
|
Name: James III Hometown: New York City Training: Upright Citizens Brigade NY Credits: Television credits include "50 Central," "The Last O.G.," "Big Dogs," "Last Week Tonight" and "Late Night with Seth Meyers." Co-host of the podcast Black Men Can't Jump [in Hollywood]. Interesting Fact: James can recite "Jurassic Park" in its entirety, word for word, shot for shot, from memory. |
|
|
Name: Brianna Baker Hometown: Rantoul, Ill. Education: BA in Diplomatic Studies from Illinois Wesleyan University Training: Second City and i.O. Chicago Credits: Television credits include "House of Lies." Web series credits include "Young Couple." Cast member on UP stage and on Norwegian Cruise Line for Second City. Interesting Fact: Brianna played basketball at Illinois Wesleyan University. |
|
|
Name: Jorge Emanuel Berrios Hometown: Miami, Fla. Education: Associate in Arts, in Mass Communication Journalism, Miami Dade College Training: The Second City Hollywood and Upright Citizens Brigade Los Angeles Credits: Short film credits include "Gringa." Co-wrote and starred in The Second City Hollywood's first all Latinx Premium Show, "HisPanic Attack." Interesting Fact: He calls himself "Cubarican" because his mother is Cuban and his father is Puerto Rican. Also, he can mimic the sound of a siren. |
|
|
Name: Sheila Carrasco Hometown: Chicago, Ill. Education: BFA, New York University, MFA Harvard University Training: The Groundlings Theatre, Steppenwolf Theatre Company Credits: Television credits include JANE THE VIRGIN, "American Housewife," and LIFE IN PIECES and "The Odd Couple," on the Network. She has spent 18 months with the Groundlings Sunday Company. Interesting Fact: Sheila's abuelita is 103 years old and counting, and her great-grandmother lived to be 107. She is really hoping she has their genes, so send positive vibes her way please! |
|
|
Name: Joe Conti Hometown: Vernon, N.J. Education: BFA, Acting and Music, Montclair State University Credits: Television credits include "This Is Us," "Scandal," "Dear White People" and "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit." Conti's web series credits include "Sorry, Ari" and "City of Dreams," and his film credits include the "Bear City" trilogy. Interesting Fact: Toured six continents as a professional singer for 10+ years. |
|
|
Name: Tesiana Elie Hometown: Queens, N.Y. Education: BFA, Acting, Adelphi University and Masters of Fine Arts, University of California, San Diego Credits: Television credits include "The Ellen Show," and theater credits include Williamstown Theatre Festival and La Jolla Playhouse. Interesting Fact: She can write with both her left and right hand. You will never know which is dominant. |
|
|
Name: Ashleigh Hairston Hometown: Seattle, Wash. Education: BA, Acting, Howard University Training: Upright Citizens Brigade Los Angeles and i.O. West in Hollywood Credits: Television credits include "Comedy Bang! Bang!," "Chelsea," CRAZY EX-GIRLFRIEND and "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" Interesting Fact: Buddies with President Obama. OK maybe not buddies, but she did meet him once and got a pic with him! |
|
|
Name: Frank Garcia-Hejl Hometown: Ennis, Texas Education: BA, Sociology and English, University of North Texas Training: Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre (New York City/Los Angeles), Four Day Weekend Theater Credits: Television credits include "Adam Ruins Everything," "Late Night with Seth Meyers," "Difficult People" and "First Impressions with Dana Carvey." Other credits include Broadway Video's "Más Mejor," "New Faces- Characters," "Montreal Just For Laughs Comedy Festival" and "Comedy Central's Comics To Watch." Interesting Fact: Frank is also an impressionist and loves making "mixtapes" for people. |
|
|
Name: Leslie-Anne Huff Hometown: San Fernando Valley, Calif. Education: BA Mass Communications, University of California, Berkeley Training: The Groundlings Sunday Company (three terms) Credits: Leslie-Anne recurred on "The Vampire Diaries," and has guest-starred on "The Middle," "Bones," "Young and Hungry," "The Originals," "Chuck," Greek," "Sonny with a Chance," "Suite Life on Deck," and NCIS and "CSI: New York," on the Network. She was a series regular on the Disney Channel's web-series "MacKenzie Falls." Interesting Fact: As a kid, Leslie-Anne had a brief but shining career as a model on the runways of shopping-mall fashion shows. |
|
|
Name: Leah Lewis Hometown: Orlando, Fla. Education: University of Central Florida Training: Dennis Lavalle Credits: Awesomeness TV's "Guidance," "The Voice," "Gamers Guide to Pretty Much Everything," "Best Friends Whenever," "Camp Fred," Youtube Red's "Sing It." Interesting Fact: Adopted from Shanghai, China. |
|
|
Name: Rocío Lopez Hometown: Guadalupe, Calif. Education: University of California, Los Angeles and New York University Training: New York University; Theater of the Oppressed, Rio de Janeiro; Upright Citizens Brigade Los Angeles Credits: Television credits include "Insecure" and "Vida." Theater credits include "Zoot Suit," "Song of Solomon The Musical" and Lopez's film credits include "The Heat." Interesting Fact: Last year she founded a kids' performing arts company, "KidzLiveArts." |
Comments
Videos