DISNEY-ABC TELEVISION GROUP CASTING PRESENTS ITS SIXTH NEW YORK ACTORS SHOWCASE

11 Actors to Perform for Industry and Network Executives on October 22

As part of its continuing effort to find and develop culturally and ethnically diverse talent and actors with disabilities, the Disney-ABC Television Group's Casting Project will hold its latest showcase featuring 11 promising actors. The showcase, the sixth one to be held in New York, will take place at the Michael Schimmel Center for the Arts at Pace University, 3 Spruce Street between Park Row and Gold Street, on MONDAY, OCTOBER 22.

Spearheaded by Executive Vice President of Casting Keli Lee, Vice President of Casting Ayo Davis, Executive Director of Casting Randi Chugerman, Manager of Casting Geoffrey Soffer and the New York and Los Angeles casting departments, the showcase is produced in partnership with AFTRA (American Federation of Television and Radio Artists Guild), SAG (Screen Actors Guild) and Actors' Equity.

"We believe in creating opportunities for untapped talent," Ms. Lee said. "We are proud to once again move forward with our sixth show in New York showcasing these talented actors from varied cultural and ethnic backgrounds."

Eleven actors were selected from among more than 600 candidates who auditioned in New York. 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, as well as other NY theater organizations, Theatre schools, AFTRA, SAG, Actors' Equity and 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 and Marci Phillips.

The talented actors to be featured are Utkarsh Ambudkar, Jessica Jade Andres, Christine Corpuz, Alexander Emmet, Vedant Gokhale, Kia Joy Goodwin, Carmen M. Herlihy, Lupita Nyong'o, Pedro Pascal, Roslyn Ruff and David Villalobos.

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