Photo Credit: CBS

CBS will sponsor its 12^th annual Diversity Sketch Comedy Showcase in January 2017 in Los Angeles, featuring a diverse group of talented actors, including LGBT performers.  Saturday Night Live out comedian Kate McKinnon is a showcase alumnus, as is her fellow Big Gay Sketch Show co-star Stephen Guarino.

Actors should possess extensive sketch comedy experience.  Each audition will require a one-minute original sketch comedy monologue consisting of unique characters.  Interested actors will need to search (CBS SHOWCASE) for audition details on Actors Access or Breakdown Express.  Participants wanting to apply as writers for the Showcase can simply send an email asking for the application to [email protected]

Auditions will be held in Los Angeles on the following dates:  July 6^th, 8^th, 11^th, 13^th and 15^th.

Executive Producer and writer Rick Najera (Mad TV, Latinolouges and In Living Color) will again direct the showcase.  Fern Orenstein, CBS Senior Vice President, Casting, will again cast and serve as the executive producer.  “We have about four or five hundred casting directors, agents, managers and development executives attend the Showcase which provides the opportunity for actors to be seen in front of thousands of people; we truly change lives,” said Fern.

Each year, more than 4,000 talented and diverse actors audition for the showcase; and since its conception, 12 years ago, the CBS Diversity Sketch Comedy Showcase has developed into a hybrid comedy show with Broadway-worth live performances and original, creative writing.

In order to amplify the voices of LGBT people in the entertainment media, GLAAD partners with film studios and television networks that provide visibility and exposure to the range of talent within our diverse community.