showcase

showcase showcase

Showcase is a highly produced hour of comedic digital shorts, sketches and music videos with bold, laugh-out-loud funny performances and original, creative writing. Showcase is a highly produced hour of comedic digital shorts, sketches and music videos with bold, laugh-out-loud funny performances and original, creative writing.

SPOTLIGHT ON 2023

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Currently in its 18th year, Showcase is overseen by the CBS Talent and Casting group in partnership with Paramount’s Office of Global Inclusion, as well as a returning team of creative producers.

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THE SHOWCASE IMPACT

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"Showcase is one of my favorite events and one I look forward to year after year. I’m excited for the entertainment community to see another group of talented actors perform original sketches." 

–Tiffany Smith-Anoa’i 

EVP, Entertainment Diversity and Inclusion, Global Inclusion, Paramount

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More about the program

Following a nationwide talent search, 12 performers from across the country are selected to participate in a month-long virtual writers’ room where they collaborate with a team of producers to develop tailor-made characters and scenes that highlight their unique comedic voices. The cast is then brought to Los Angeles to take part in a three-week shoot, gaining valuable on-set experience. After the wrap of production, cast members attend a variety of informational workshops and panels, ranging from audition technique to Q&A with esteemed SHOWCASE alumni. Each performer is set up with executive mentors who remain a resource to them as they navigate the next steps of their careers.

Since making the switch from a staged sketch show to a filmed presentation of comedic digital shorts, SHOWCASE has been recognized by an impressive list of notable film festivals, including Outfest, the Academy Award-qualifying Indy Shorts International Film Festival, Dances with Films, Salute Your Shorts and the San Diego International Film Festival, to name a few. SHOWCASE has also been featured in publications like Forbes and The Los Angeles Times for its positive impact on the entertainment industry, particularly for introducing and amplifying a number of BIPOC, disabled, queer and oftentimes intersectional voices that go on to have meaningful careers both in front of and behind the camera.

Other Alumni of SHOWCASE include:

  • Diona Reasonover (NCIS)
  • Jay Lee (CSI: VEGAS)
  • Gina Yashere (BOB HEARTS ABISHOLA)
  • Ginger Gonzaga (TRUE LIES)
  • Geoffrey Arend (“Madame Secretary”)
  • Justin Hires (“MacGyver”)
  • Tien Tran (“How I Met Your Father”)
  • Ego Nwodim (“Saturday Night Live”)
  • Leah Lewis (“Nancy Drew”)
  • Drew Tarver (“The Other Two”)
  • Hasan Minhaj (“The Daily Show”)
  • Melissa Villaseñor (“Saturday Night Live”)
  • Karan Soni (“Deadpool”)
  • Haneefah Wood (“Truth Be Told”)
  • Colton Dunn (“Superstore”)
  • Eugene Cordero (STAR TREK: LOWER DECKS)
  • Carl Tart (“Grand Crew”)
  • Bresha Webb (“Run the World”)
  • Brianna Baker (“9-1-1: Lone Star”)
  • Aida Osman (“Rap Sh!t”) and Wyatt Cenac (“The Daily Show”), among numerous others.

showcase 2023

Showcase is recognized by many as the industry leader in actor showcases designed to spotlight up-and-coming talent.

SEE THE 2023 CAST