For the past 15 years, the CBSShowcase has been giving shine to up and coming talent in Hollywood
Tess Paras, who served as director of this year’s show alongside director Stephen Guarino and head writer Tien Tran, was a performer in the 2014 CBS Showcase. She admits that it was once widely known for being problematic and stereotypical in the way it portrayed its performers.“That was the norm back then and it remained unchallenged,” Paras tells Deadline. “When I participated, I experienced first-hand how we were encouraged to propagate stereotypes about our own backgrounds.
She said that it was a huge to be critical of the dialogue that was happening within the program. “I think it was the first time a sketch like that had ever made it into the showcase, but I knew folks resonated with the message when it received a standing ovation every night,” she added. “Shortly after showcase, I filmed it with members of my showcase cast and it become a viral video.”
Being outspoken about the program worked in Paras’ favor as it was a chance for her to incite change. She was asked to be on the creative team for the 2019 showcase. She served as Assistant director with Guarino and VP of Casting Dorey Poder and they worked to restructure the program with a paid writers’ room of showcase alumni.
Paras and the team’s work paid off as the showcase has becoming more inclusive and mindful of the jokes they tell, the context and the players they choose to be in the showcase — and this year’s bunch is filled with talent of all colors, sexualities and genders — giving Hollywood a look at the diverse talent.This year, there were 20 players from all over the country who, alongside a writers room of showcase alums, delivered a stellar show of sketches that celebrate what makes us different.
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