ABC Casting Sets New Format For Disney Discovers Talent Showcase With 10 Rising Actors
EXCLUSIVE: The Disney Television Discovers: Talent Showcase is taking a different tack this year in its mission to highlight emerging talent. For the first time in its 22-year history, the Talent Showcase will debut D-Day: An Original Workplace Comedy, an ensemble piece born out of ABC Casting’s continued commitment for rising artists to be discovered, nurtured and celebrated. An in-person screening event for an industry-invited audience will take place late summer 2024.
Written by Eric Myrick, D-Day: An Original Workplace Comedy takes viewers inside an LA tech startup, where an eclectic HR team must confront rumors of an imminent acquisition by a tech giant. As uncertainty looms large, this ragtag department unites to save their jobs and shake up their corporate ecosystem.
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The 2024 featured performers include Amber Reauchean Williams, David Andrew Calvillo, David Gridley, Heather Gibson, Isaiah Dòdó-Williams, Julian Manjerico, Justen Ross, Reina Guthrie, Sue Zen Chew and Vernon Mina.
Karan Soni will serve as director, with Richard J. Lee executive producing, and Brittani Nichols joining as script consultant and mentor to Myrick.
“As we build on the rich legacy of Disney Television Discovers, we are thrilled to introduce these 10 extraordinary actors on the rise,” said Felicia Joseph, SVP, Casting, ABC Entertainment. “This year, my team has reimagined the showcase with a fresh format in collaboration with Soni, Myrick, Nichols and various creative teams throughout Disney Entertainment Television. We look forward to presenting this extended ensemble piece to the industry at large and championing these artists in their journeys both in front of and behind the camera.”
For this year’s showcase, over 22,000 actors submitted self-tapes and over 300 writers submitted original material from across the U.S. The ABC Entertainment Casting team thoroughly reviewed each submission before selecting its writer and cast of 10 actors. Since 2001, the team has mentored over 600 actors through this initiative.
Notable showcase alumni include Lupita Nyong’o, Chadwick Boseman, Gina Rodriguez, Pedro Pascal, Jesse Williams, Ali Stroker, Randall Park, Dominique Fishback, Utkarsh Ambudkar, Alexandra Shipp, Meghan Markle, Carrie Ann Inaba, Maleah Joi Moon, Kirby, Jermaine Fowler, DeWanda Wise and Jasmin Savoy Brown.
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