RELEASE: PHOTOS: Latino Scene Showcase in LA Highlights Talent for Hundreds of Entertainment Industry Executives, Agents, Casting Directors

For Immediate Release: August 10, 2017

Contact: Clarissa Corona communications@nhmc.org 213.718.0732

PHOTOS: Latino Scene Showcase in LA Highlights Talent for Hundreds of Entertainment Industry Executives, Agents, Casting Directors

Yesterday, the National Hispanic Media Coalition and the Los Angeles Theatre Center hosted their fifth 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. View photos from the event here: https://flic.kr/s/aHsm1LraNN “We are proud to gather TV network executives, talent agents, casting directors, and other online content providers together to meet the brilliant Latino creatives that they can recruit to bring vibrant storytelling to their audiences,” said Alex Nogales, president and CEO of the National Hispanic Media Coalition. “This showcase, powered by Latino writers, directors and performers, shows the entertainment industry what it is missing as these scenes leap off the page. Content must reflect the diversity of the country and we hope that studios use this opportunity to hire from this wealth of promising new talent.” “There is an immense amount of creative talent in the Latino community and this showcase harnesses some of the best of their writing, directing, and acting to grab the attention of the entertainment industry,” said José Luis Valenzuela, artistic director of the Los Angeles Theatre Center. “We are dedicated to providing a place where the convergence of people, cultures, and ideas result in amplifying stories that can be heard, seen and felt by audiences on the stage, on television and online. Our hope is that we can seed critical relationships between industry executives, talent agents and this new generation of Latino creatives to give diverse audiences the culturally relevant content they need and want.” Twenty Latino actors performed original scripts, written and directed by Latinos, for more than 200 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. Jose Luis is also the artistic director of the Showcase, and award-winning theater and film director and a tenured professor at the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television. The 7 scenes included:

• “Evolution Fitness,” written by Rafael Garcia, directed by Fidel Gomez and performed by: Matthew Jordan, Marissa Ringer and Jay Phoenix.
• “Pearly Gates,” written by Jesenia Ruiz, directed by Fidel Gomez and performed by: Alfredo Trueba, Melissa Rivera and Bob Rodriguez.
• “The Mailroom,” written by Joseph Ferrante, directed by Sal Lopez and performed by: Peter Pasco, Brian Molina and Eddie Ruiz.
• “M.I.A.,” written by Renier Murillo, directed by Sylvia Blush and performed by: Julian Ortega, Abigail Arnold-Ochs, Carla Olivar and Nisalda Gonzalez.
• “Mari and Damian,” written by Janine Salinas Schoenberg, directed by Sal Lopez and performed by: Yvonne Angulo and James Cavlo.
• “Call Me Daddy,” written by Brian Otaño, directed by Sylvia Blush and performed by: Myrna Velasco, Frankie Rodriguez, Rey Lopez and Michelle Castillo.
• “Bits and Pieces,” written by Carlos Cisco, directed by Fidel Gomez and performed by: Roland Ruiz and Hugo Carbajal.

NHMC’s focus on aspiring Latino TV writers with the TV Writers Program, Latino Scriptwriters Intensive, Latino Scene Showcase and their extensive database of projects developed by Latino writers, connect creatives to a network of Hollywood insiders for employment and mentorship. 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 (video of scenes to be posted on Friday): https://www.nhmc.org/latinosceneshowcase. The Latino Scene Showcase is sponsored and supported by Univision & Fusion TV, The Walt Disney Company and Disney ABC Television Group, CBS Corporation, Southwest Airlines, and the Writers Guild of America, West.

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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.

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