CBS TO SPONSOR ITS FOURTH MULTICULTURAL SKETCH COMEDY TALENT SHOWCASE TO BE DIRECTED BY RICK NAJERA, IN ASSOCIATION WITH AFTRA, AMERICAN INDIANS IN FILM AND TELEVISION, EAST WEST PLAYERS, NOSOTROS, SAG AND THE ROBEY THEATRE COMPANY

Photos and Resumes Should Be Sent to AFTRA by Friday, Aug. 15

CBS will sponsor its fourth talent showcase for multicultural sketch comedians in January 2009 in Los Angeles. Executive producer, writer and Vice President of the LATV Network, Rick Najera ("Mad TV," "In Living Color"), will again direct the showcase for CBS.

"Rick has brought showmanship and rare comedic talent to this initiative. He is an inspiration to these emerging actors and we are excited to bring him back," said Josie Thomas, CBS Senior Vice President, Diversity.

Photos and resumes should be sent to AFTRA, 5757 Wilshire Blvd., 9th floor, Los Angeles, Calif. 90036 - Att: Jasmine Vargas. The deadline for submissions is Aug. 15. Please note: the showcase is focused on African American, Latino, Asian American, Native American and Pacific Islander actors, and performers with disabilities, who 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 - and 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 terrific actors work. Three years running, Rick has delivered a giant kick-start for many careers and we know he'll do it again," 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 their seventh 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 in partnership with NOSOTROS, Native American Talent Showcases in association with American Indians in TV and Film, 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. More events are planned with these and other groups.

For information regarding the CBS Diversity Institute, please go to http://www.cbsdiversity.com/.