by The CBS Diversity Sketch Comedy Showcase, a staple for 14 years, will begin a run of six shows starting Jan. 15 at the El Portal Theatre in Los Angeles with its cast for 2019. Written by past showcase performers, the variety revue is well-attended by industry execs, and seen as a potential springboard for talent. Alumni include Kate McKinnon and Tiffany Haddish.
Following are the 21 performers participating in the 2019 CBS DIVERSITY SKETCH COMEDY SHOWCASE:
| Name: Alex Ellis Hometown: Charlotte, N.C. Education: BFA in musical theater from Elon University Training: Upright Citizens Brigade (Los Angeles), The Groundlings, Allen Savage, Stan Kirsch Studios Credits: Television: “Vampirina” (Disney) and “Hot in Cleveland” (TV Land). Film: “Moose.” Broadway: “Catch Me If You Can” (Original Broadway Company) and “On A Clear Day” (Original Broadway Company). | |
| Name: Andy Bustillos Hometown: Queens, N.Y. Training: Upright Citizens Brigade (New York) Credits: Television: BULL (CBS), “Divorce” (HBO), “Girls” (HBO). Film: “Carrie Pilby,” “Most Likely To Murder.” Reps: Buchwald, JHA Management | |
| Name: Anna Rajo Hometown: Los Angeles Education: BA, English, Tulane University Training: Upright Citizens Brigade (Los Angeles) Credits: Sketch comedy: “If College Movies Were Honest” (College Humor), “You’re Not Edgy, You’re Just Lazy” (College Humor) and “Oh Boy, Free Crap!” (College Humor) | |
| Name: Carolina Montenegro Hometown: Los Angeles Education: BA, theater arts performance, CSU Long Beach Training: Upright Citizens Brigade (Los Angeles), The Idiot Workshop Credits: Film: “Fred Needs a Friend.” Stage: “Untitled Communion” (Critical Mass Performance Group, REDCAT) and “An Odyssey” (Hollywood Fringe Festival 2018). Reps: British American Talent Management, LB Talent (Commercial) | |
| Name: Chris Renfro Hometown: Riverside, Calif. Education: BA, drama, University of California, Irvine Training: Upright Citizens Brigade (Los Angeles), The Groundlings Credits: Sketch comedy: “Maude Night” (Upright Citizens Brigade LA house team). Off Broadway: “My Little Brony.” Reps: JC Robbins (Management), Reign Agency (Commercial) | |
| Name: Dan Lee Hometown: North Potomac, Md. Education: BS, finance, University of Maryland, College Park Training: Upright Citizens Brigade (New York) Credits: Film: “Rough Night.” Reps: Authentic Talent and Literary Management | |
| Name: DJ Pryor Hometown: Richmond, Va. Training: Kim Hardin workshop and Chris Berube’s improv class Credits: Film: “Country Strong,” “The Konichiwa Kid” and “Message Read.” Commercials: Allstate and Jack Daniels. Web series: “The DJ Pryor Show” (via Facebook). Reps: Dan Talent Group |
| Name: Emily Fightmaster Hometown: Cincinnati, Ohio Education: BA, women and gender studies, DePaul University Training: Second City (Chicago) Credits: Stage credits: “Gaslight District” (stage, Second City Chicago) and “New Kids on the Gracht” (stage, Boom Chicago, Amsterdam). Reps: 3Arts | |
| Name: Filip Jeremic Hometown: Toronto, Canada Education: BFA, theater performance/acting, Ryerson University, Toronto Training: Upright Citizens Brigade (New York), The Second City (Toronto) Credits: Television credits: “The Amazing Gayl Pile” (series, NBC Seeso) and “Cooks vs. Cons” (series, Food Network). Sketch comedy credits: “Maude Night” (Upright Citizens Brigade NYC house team) and “Characters Welcome”(Upright Citizens Brigade NYC house team). Reps: Bleecker Street Entertainment | |
| Name: Fray Forde Hometown: Atlanta, Ga. Credits: Television: DYNASTY (CW), LEGACIES (CW), “Messiah” (Netflix), “The Florida Files” (FX) and “Rory Scovel Tries Stand-Up For The First Time” (special, Netflix). Film: “Daphne & Velma.” Festival: Just For Laughs 2017 Reps: People Store (GA) | |
| Name: Katy Fullan Hometown: Chicago, Ill. Training: iO (Chicago), The Artistic Home (Chicago) Credits: Shorts: “Company” (New Orleans Film Festival) and “She Keeps Me Young.” Sketch: “My Truth As I Know It.” | |
| Name: Lou Gonzalez Hometown: Bronx, N.Y. Education: BA, mass communications, Lehman College Training: Upright Citizens Brigade (New York), Credits: Television: “Channel Surfing” (Viceland) and “Cop Show” (L Studio). | |
| Name: Marc-Sully Saint-Fleur Hometown: Miami, Fla. Education: American Musical and Dramatic Academy, N.Y. Training: Upright Citizens Brigade (Los Angeles), The Groundlings, Ivana Chubbuck Studio Credits: Stageplay: “Fat Camp the Musical”, “Les Miserables”, “Hair” and “Guys and Dolls”. Standup: The Comedy Store | |
| Name: Mike Millan Hometown: Bay Shore, N.Y. Education: BFA, musical theater, The Hartt School Training: Upright Citizens Brigade (New York) Credits: Television: “High Maintenance” (HBO). Broadway: “Escape To Margaritaville” and “Sister Act” (National Tour). | |
| Name: Nikki Mckenzie Hometown: San Francisco, Calif. Education: BA, theater arts, Loyola Marymount University Training: The Groundlings, Upright Citizens Brigade (Los Angeles), Annie Grindlay (Los Angeles), Stan Kirsch (Los Angeles), Sara Mornell (Los Angeles). Credits: Television: “The Joe Schmo Show” (Spike), “Fameless” (TruTV), “Forever” (Amazon), “House of Lies” (SHOWTIME) and “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” (Fox). Reps: JC Robbins Management and Prestige Talent |
| Name: Rashawn Nadine Scott Hometown: Tacoma, Wash. Education: BA, theater arts, Western Washington University Training: iO Theater (Chicago), The Second City (Chicago) Credits: Television: “Shrink” (Seeso), “Empire” (FOX) and “Southside” (Comedy Central). Film: “Win It All.” Reps: Gray Talent Group | |
| Name: Rasheda S. Crockett Hometown: Long Island, N.Y. Education: BBA, finance, Temple University Training: The Upright Citizens Brigade (New York) Credits: Television: “Talk Show the Game Show” (staff writer, truTV), “Adam Ruins Everything” (staff writer, truTV) and “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt” (Netflix). Sketch comedy: The People’s Improv Theatre’s sketch comedy team “BoogieManja.” Reps: WME and Seven Summits Pictures & Management | |
| Name: Shukri R. Abdi Hometown: Potomac, Md. Education: BA, Latin-American studies and Spanish, Wellesley CollegeTraining: Upright Citizens Brigade (Los Angeles), iO West Credits: Television: “Adam Ruins Everything” (truTV/CollegeHumor, digital), “Gerrymander Jewelry” (digital), “Tight 5” (writer/performer, WhoHaha) and “Black Card Revoked” (Head of Content/Supervising Producer, BET). Sketch: “Maude Night” (Upright Citizens Brigade LA house team). Stage: “Baby Wants Candy.” | |
| Name: Tien Tran Hometown: Erie, Pa. Education: BS in biology, pre-med, Boston College Training: The Second City (Chicago), Mainstage Credits: Television: “Hot Date” (Netflix), “Easy” (Netflix), “Southside” (Comedy Central) and “A Legendary Christmas” (special, NBC). Web series: “Control Room” (Comedy Central) and “Studio B”. Reps: Mosaic, CAA, Grossman & Jack | |
| Name: Waleed Mansour Hometown: Dexter, Mich. Education: BA, mathematics, University of Michigan Training: iO Theater (Chicago) Credits: Web series: “And The Findings.” Reps: Odenkirk Provissiero Entertainment, Grossman & Jack Talent | |
| Name: Yasmin Kassim Hometown: Perth, Western Australia Education: BA, arts, University of Western Australia Training: Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute (NYC), The Groundlings Credits: Television: “Neighbours” (AUS, Ch 10). Film: “Jungle” and “Guardians of the Tomb.” Reps: Open Bar Entertainment, Active Artists Management |
