Grace Parra & Stephen Guarino Named Co-Directors for 2018 CBS Diversity Comedy Showcase

CBS today announced the co-directors and the head writers for the 2018 CBS DIVERSITY COMEDY SHOWCASE. Grace Parra ("The Nightly Show") and Stephen Guarino (I'M DYING UP HERE) will co-direct with Nahreen Tarzi and Chris Eckert serving as the head writers. All four are previous participants of the CBS showcase.

Since its conception 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.

Grace Parra ("The Nightly Show") is a host, comedian, actress and writer. Parra was a performer and writer in the 2013 CBS DIVERSITY COMEDY SHOWCASE. Parra's television and film credits include "How I Met Your Mother," on the Network, "Zeke & Luther," "Late Night with CONAN O'Brien," "Farah Goes Bang," "The Bonnie Hunt Show" and "Greenberg." Parra is represented by UTA/Mosaic.

Stephen Guarino (I'M DYING UP HERE) is a writer, actor and director. He was a performer and writer in the 2011 CBS DIVERSITY COMEDY SHOWCASE. His credits include "Happy Endings," "Dr. Ken," "The Comeback," "The Big Gay Sketch Show," and "2 Broke Girls," on the Network. He has directed at The Groundlings, Funny or Die and Upright Citizens Brigade. Guarino is represented by CAA and 3 Arts.

Nahreen Tarzi is a writer/comedian who currently serves as Head Writer at Frederator Networks. Tarzi served as a writer for the 2017 CBS DIVERSITY COMEDY SHOWCASE. She is a graduate of the Second City Conservatory and has performed stand-up for over eight years.

Chris Eckert performed in the 2017 CBS DIVERSITY COMEDY SHOWCASE and is a main company member of the Groundlings Theatre where he has created and produced the ongoing LGBTQ show "The Gale." His additional credits include "The Comeback," "Raising Hope," "Super Fun Night," "MADtv" and "The Gay and Wondrous Life of Caleb Gallo." Eckert is represented by Buchwald and Liberman/Zerman.

Alumni of 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.

The next showcase will be held in Los Angeles at the El Portal Theater in January 2018.

For more information about CBS Diversity & Inclusion, please visit: https://www.cbscorporation.com/diversity/.

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