THE ABC ENTERTAINMENT TELEVISION TALENT DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT PRESENTS ITS THIRD NEW YORK ACTORS SHOWCASE

19 Actors to Perform for Industry and Network Executives on November 15th

As part of its continuing effort to find and develop culturally and ethnically diverse talent and actors with disabilities, the ABC Entertainment Television Group's Casting Project will hold its latest showcase featuring promising actors. The showcase, the third one held in New York, will take place at The Acorn Theater at Theatre Row, 410 West 42nd St., on MONDAY, NOVEMBER 15th.

Spearheaded by vice president of Talent Development Carmen J. Smith, ABC executive vice president of Casting Gene Blythe, senior vice president of Casting Keli Lee and manager of Talent Development & Casting Randi Chugerman, the showcase is produced in partnership with, AFTRA (American Federation of Television and Radio Artists Guild), SAG (Screen Actors Guild) and Actor's Equity.

"The vast array of ethnically diverse talent that we will be presenting in the New York show- case is something that we are all very proud of here at ABC. We strongly believe that the future of our industry lies in creating opportunity and nurturing untapped talent. These talent showcases help us to do just that," said Ms. Smith.

Nineteen actors were selected from among more than 600 auditions that were held in New York, Atlanta, GA, Raleigh-Durham, NC and Miami. Many of the actors selected were submitted through American Indian Community House, Asian American Arts Alliance, Frank Silvera's Writer's Workshop, HOLA, Negro Ensemble Company, New Federal Theatre, Non-Traditional Casting Project, Theatre by the Blind, as well other NY theater organizations, Theatre schools, AFTRA, SAG, Actor's Equity and an outreach from ABC affiliate stations.

The showcase is not open to the public. Casting directors, talent agents and other industry professionals will view a series of one-act vignettes performed by the actors and directed by Ted Sluberski, Kaipo Schwab and Julie Kramer.

The talented actors to be featured are: Brenda Noell, Cynthia Addai-Robinson, Joey Auzenne, Khan Baykal, Chadwick A. Boseman, Monique G. Curnen, Bernardo De Paula, Malcolm Goodwin, Fulani S. Hart, Joe Holt, Jimena Hoyos, Yasmin Kazi, Susan Kim, Terrence Mitchell, Alfredo Narciso, Shawn Passwaters, Tuffy Questell, Denise Ramirez and Dilshad Vadsaria.

The ABC Entertainment Television Group's commitment to discovering and nurturing diverse talent is exemplified through many different programs, including The Casting Project, The ABC/Disney Writing Fellowship, The Talent Development Scholarship and Grant Program, The ABC/DGA Directing Fellowship, The Entertainment Associates Program and The Emma Bowen Minority Internship Program.