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EVENT RECAP: “2022 MENASA Diversity Showcase” presented by Studio For Performing Arts LA & MENA Arts Advocacy Coalition
Over 65 actors of MENASA descent were virtually screened and performed for an exclusive television and film industry panel last Saturday, part of a diversity initiative produced by Studio For Performing Arts LA (SPALA) and MENA Arts Advocacy Coalition (MAAC).
The 2nd annual "MENASA Diversity Showcase" was held online on April 30, 2022. Actors of MENASA (Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia) descent were invited to submit and request an appointment. Selected actors had the opportunity to perform a one-minute monologue online for a VIP panel. MAAC conducted the first ever study of its kind and revealed, “Only 1 percent of TV actors are Middle Eastern, North African.” Additionally, just this past year per UCLA's Hollywood Diversity Report, there were ZERO MENA Actors as leading actors in films.
The following actors performed for the industry panet at the 2022 showcase:
Nicola Aara
Ariana Aftahi
Maher Aghnim
Zhane Amari
Anusha Angur
Qurrat Ann Kadwani
Saba Askari
Sabrina Aziz
Geetika Budhiraja
Eden Butvinik
Rabinder Campbell
Joseph Courey
Jessica Cruz
Nicole Cyrille
Zee Dastagir
Pranav Dev
Danya El-Kurd
Emon Elboudwarej
Srimayi Galla
Vritika Gupta
Sophia Gutchinov
Atif Hashwi
Mikael Hylu
Tayeb Jasoor
Alyssa Jiwani
Shawn K. Jain
Sarah Kamran
Saer Karim
Faris Khaleeli
Rebecca Khalil
Saalika Khan
Megan Khaziran
Julian Kiani
Zaya Kolia
Sapna Kumar
Khalil LeSaldo
Rachanee Lumayno
Maral Milani
Selena Mirza
Shuba Mohan
Amira Nader
Machelle Noel
Katie Prasad Keough
Amelia Prochaska
Yasmin Ranz-Lind
Ocean Rockelle
Dalia Rooni
Ahmad Salah
Aline Salloum
Demitra Sealy
Sheela Sharma
Kimberly Singh
Jurnee Swan
Piyali Syam
Rotana Tarabzouni
Ezra Tozian
Precious Ugbodu
Sara Vessal
Nour Waleed Zuaiter
Bruno Xavier
Wilder Yari
Cynthia Yelle
Rokhsane Zadeh
Tarek Zohdy
Laith Zuaiter
Within the last two years, the MENASA Diversity Showcase has provided over 145 actors of MENASA descent a platform for exposure to LA & NY industry professionals at no cost to the performers and was also the WINNER of the 2021 BroadwayWorld Regional Awards for "Best Special Event.”
Walid Chaya, Arab-American Actor and Director of Studio For Performing Arts LA, said “We're proud to provide a platform for underrepresented actors and thankful for our industry volunteers and the incredible line-up of actors that presented. Together we can create a more inclusive industry and look forward to growing this diversity initiative annually.”
A special thank you to the following television and film VIPs that attended the 2022 event:
Ani Avetyan, Casting Director
Eve Battaglia, Casting Director
Robin Carus, Casting Director
Anne Chapman, Casting Director
David Donihue, Director
Debralynn Findon, Manager
Vicki Goggin, Casting Director
Angela Mickey, Casting Director
Steven Tyler O'Connor, Casting Director
Alexa Pereira, Casting Director
Rita Powers, Casting Director
Danielle Pretsfelder Demchick, Casting Director
Javier Salgado, Manager
Michael Sanford, Casting Director
Paul Sinacore, Casting Director
Pamela Staton, Casting Director
Maria Stuart, Manager
Here are 3 ways you can support our event partners, the MENA Arts Advocacy Coalition (MAAC), a not-for-profit organization:
1) Please click here and join their MENA Talent Database for related opportunities
2) Follow them on Instagram @menaadvocacy
3) Please click here to make a donation, every little bit helps!
Actors interested in receiving notifications about similar events including next year's diversity initiative, please join our mailing list.
For upcoming events by Studio For Performing Arts LA visit studioforperformingarts.com and follow us on Instagram @studioforperformingarts for the latest updates.
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