In response to criticism over its lack of diversity, CBS has launched a new casting initiative for its dramas, focused mainly on finding talent outside of New York and Los Angeles.
Specifically, the company is looking for Asian American, Latino, African American, Native American, Pacific Islander and LGBTQ actors and performers with disabilities to join its current shows and potential upcoming pilots, according to The Wrap.
“This outreach is a real opportunity for CBS to discover actors located across the country, outside of Los Angeles and New York, who haven’t had the chance to meet or be seen by network casting executives,” said Glenn Geller, president of CBS Entertainment, in a statement. “We’ve had great success with our CBS Diversity Sketch Comedy Showcase, which launched the careers of numerous actors, and we are confident this will do the same.”
Geller, a relatively newcomer to CBS, previously promised that he would address the issues surrounding diversity within the network.
From Oct. 13 to Oct. 28, the network is asking actors 18 and older to submit a self-taped monologue. Executives will then review all submissions and make selections for regional callback auditions in Atlanta, Austin, Chicago, Miami and San Francisco, where actors will be expected to rehearse with executives on tape.
Following the casting sessions, 14 to 16 actors will be selected to travel to Los Angeles for a final screening test.
In addition to the its Comedy and Drama Showcases, CBS’s Diversity Institute includes the Writers Mentoring Program, the Directing Initiative and other acting workshops conducted nationwide, as well as writer workshops conducted in Los Angeles, according to The Wrap.
Applicants can send their monologues to www.CBSDiversity.com for consideration.
