CBS Diversity Institute and Casting is undertaking a new and unprecedented initiative to enhance access for actors of color who are 18 years and over to the talent pool for the daytime dramas, THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS and THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL.
As an extension of CBS Diversity’s ongoing talent showcase initiatives, candidates will be pre-screened by the network casting department in December and the casting directors of these CBS daytime dramas will read actors on a regular basis starting in January 2009.
“Diversity requires action and we see this as a very intentional way of bringing attention to actors of color and continuing to open doors to the most successful daytime franchises in history with this new and additional avenue of access,” said Josie Thomas, CBS Senior Vice President, Diversity.
“With our daytime dramas on the air year-round, this is a remarkable opportunity for new talent to be seen by the highest number of people possible in this medium,” said Barbara Bloom, Senior Vice President, Daytime Programs, CBS.
Actors of Color should submit a hardcopy photo and resume to:
Fern Orenstein
CBS Daytime Diversity Initiative
Cole Ave Studios
1006 N. Cole
Hollywood CA 90038
The deadline for submissions is Nov. 28, 2008. Participation in this initiative is not a guarantee of employment, nor is the initiative intended to displace traditional avenues of access to employment opportunities to all actors, regardless of background.
The CBS Diversity Institute is a comprehensive program designed to identify and develop diversity within the writing, directing and talent communities. The CBS Diversity Institute includes the CBS Writers Mentoring Program, the CBS Directing Initiative and numerous actor workshops conducted nationwide, as well as writer workshops conducted in Los Angeles.
THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS has been the Number One rated daytime drama for more than 19 years and celebrated its 35th anniversary on March 26, 2008. The show is broadcast weekdays (12:30-1:30 PM (ET); 11:00 AM-12:00 Noon (PT) on the CBS Television Network and is produced by Bell Dramatic Serial Company, in association with Sony Pictures Television.
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL is a Bell-Phillip Television production, broadcast weekdays (1:30-2:00 PM, ET; 12:30–1:00 PM, PT) on the CBS Television Network. The only daytime drama to simulcast in Spanish utilizing SAP (Second Audio Program) technology, the show is the most watched daily dramatic serial in the world, viewed in more than 140 countries.
