Disney/ABC's 2014 Talent Showcase Set for Today

As part of Disney/ABC Television Group's ongoing commitment to find, foster and champion diverse talent, ABC Casting will present its 13th annual 2014 Talent Showcase, today, October 7, at the New World Stages in New York.

The 14 featured actors were selected from nearly 7,000 candidates who submitted their resumes, and approximately 500 who auditioned for ABC casting executives in New York. The actors will perform one-act original scenes directed by Nelson Eusebio, Awoye Timpo and Victor Maog. Many of the actors selected were submitted through showcase PARTNERS SAG-AFTRA, Actor's Equity Association and Alliance for Inclusion in the Arts, as well as theatre companies and organizations throughout the country. Following the showcase, the actors will work closely with ABC casting executives, who will mentor them throughout the year. The actors will have the opportunity to audition for ABC Entertainment Group's current series and pilots.

Keli Lee, executive vice president, ABC Casting, said, "Our mission is to always find the most talented and diverse actors, who in turn will bring the projects of creative visionaries, storytellers and producers to life. We are thrilled to spotlight some of the brightest new talent and showcase their abilities to the entertainment industry."

This year's talented showcase performers include: Michael Bow (Queens, NY), Melissa R. DúPrey (Chicago, IL), Dominique Fishback (Brooklyn, NY), Josué Guerra (Mexico City, Mexico), A.Z. Kelsey (San Francisco, CA), Andrea Morales (West Lafayette, IN), Gregg Mozgala (Hickory, NC), Lyrica Okano (New York, NY), Veronica Osorio (Caracas, Venezuela), Jason Salmon (Allen, TX), Annapurna Sriram (Nashville, TN), Ellen Tamaki (Valley Forge, PA), Jenna Williams (Atlanta, GA), Eugene Young (New York, NY).

The Talent Showcase is spearheaded by Lee, Marci Phillips, executive director, ABC Casting, Peachy Pascual, director, ABC Casting, Blaine Johnston, showcase coordinator, and the Los Angeles ABC Casting Office.

Disney/ABC Television Group's Los Angeles and New York Talent Showcases continue to serve as a launching pad for discovering new talent, including Randall Park of ABC's new comedy "Fresh Off The Boat," Jesse Williams, of "Grey's Anatomy," "Dancing with the Stars" judge Carrie Ann Inaba, and Academy-Award Winner Lupita Nyong'o.

The Disney/ABC Television Group's commitment to discovering and nurturing diverse talent is exemplified through many different programs, including ABC Casting Department's Talent Showcase, the Disney/ABC Writing Program, the Disney/ABC/DGA Directing Program, The Production Associates Program, and The National Hispanic Media Coalition (NHMC) Writing Workshop.

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