PHOTOS + VIDEO: Latino Directors, Actors and Writers Perform for 150 Entertainment Industry Executives and Casting Directors

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 11, 2016

CONTACT Christina DiPasquale 202.716.1953 press@balestramedia.com

PHOTOS + VIDEO: Latino Directors, Actors and Writers Perform for 150 Entertainment Industry Executives and Casting Directors

On Wednesday, the National Hispanic Media Coalition and the Los Angeles Theatre Center hosted their fourth annual Latino Scene Showcase at the El Portal Theatre in North Hollywood, California. The Showcase is a private event for entertainment industry executives, talent managers and agents, and casting directors to watch the performance of original scripts written, directed and performed by graduates of NHMC's Latino TV Writers Program and Latino directors and actors recruited by the LATC. The purpose of the event is to provide more opportunities for Latino writers, directors and actors in the entertainment industry. Photos from the event here: https://flic.kr/s/aHskGSTwZv   [caption id="attachment_9774" align="aligncenter" width="404"] José Luis Valenzuela and Alex Nogales[/caption] Twenty Latino actors performed seven original scripts, written and directed by Latinos, for 150 entertainment industry insiders. Alex Nogales, president and CEO of the National Hispanic Media Coalition co-hosted the event with José Luis Valenzuela, artistic director of the Los Angeles Theatre Center, the Showcase, and an award-winning theater and film director and tenured professor at the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television. To watch the performances, click here. The 7 scenes included:

• "Acceptance," written by Eugene Garcia-Cross, directed by Alberto Barboza and performed by: Jonathan Medina, Jamil Mena, Maria Elena Heredia and Ray Rios
• "Open-ish," written by Frank Nestor, directed by Alberto Barboza and performed by: César Gamiño and Grace Serrano
• "Pierre," written by Sabrina Almeida, directed by Geoff Rivas and performed by: Evelyn Lorena, Eric Delgado and Edward Padilla
• "Subway," written by Maria Escobedo, directed by Fanny Véliz and performed by: Cristina Frias, Nelson Grande, Adriana Colón
• "Terrible People," written by Rick Dominguez, directed by Alberto Barboza, and performed by: Jamilka Gonzalez and Andrea Vicunia
• "The Other Talk," written by Alex Perez, directed by Geoff Rivas and performed by: Olivia Cristina Delgado and Andrew Dits
• "The Comedian," written by Chris Garcia, directed by Fanny Véliz and performed by: Adrian Brizuela, Emanuel Gironi, Cristina Fernandez, and Cruz Castillo

  [caption id="attachment_9775" align="aligncenter" width="437"] L to R: Rick Dominguez, Alex Perez, Frank Nestor, Eugene Garcia-Cross, and Sabrina Almeida[/caption] Earlier last week, Fox announced that it will be developing a show co-created by Chris Garcia, writer of "The Comedian" scene in the showcase. The potential series is based on a chapter from Garcia's childhood- when his Cuban parents lie about their home address to give him a chance at a better public education in the U.S., at a school where his dad is also taking ESL classes. NHMC connects Latino creatives to a network of Hollywood insiders for employment and mentorship through its TV writers program, TV writers graduate program, and Latino Scene Showcase. The organization's programs have led to the staffing of more than 100 Latinos on top-rated TV shows Learn more about the National Hispanic Media Coalition's programs for Latino TV writers here: https://www.nhmc.org/writersprogram and the Latino Scene Showcase here: https://www.nhmc.org/latinosceneshowcase.

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The National Hispanic Media Coalition (NHMC) is a media advocacy and civil rights organization for the advancement of Latinos, working towards a media that is fair and inclusive of Latinos, and towards universal, affordable, and open access to communications. Receive real-time updates on Facebook, Twitter @NHMC and Instagram @NHMC_org.]]>