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Tasia Sherel, Pam on the CW’s hit show Everybody Hates Chris, is set to star in The Second Annual NBC Universal Diversity Showcase on January 24th. Sherel, one of twenty actors selected from more than 400, will be appearing in “30 to Life,” one of the sketches featured in the showcase written by Bubba Murray, directed by Chil Kong, and co-starring Patrick Brown. The showcase offers actors, writers, and directors of immeasurable talent and diverse backgrounds the chance of a lifetime to perform in front of NBC Universal executives, talent agents, and other industry insiders.
This year, all of the scenes performed will be overseen by Sheldon Epps, artistic director of the famed Pasadena Playhouse and television producer/director (NBC’s Frasier, Friends). This showcase is just one demonstration of the many ways larger networks are trying to promote and encourage diversity among actors, directors, and writers in television and film.
Sherel’s resume and demo reel was referred to Diversity Showcase producer, Damona Resnick, and she was hired for the job on the spot. “Marc Hershfeld, the Vice President in charge of Casting for NBC Universal saw my packet,” Sherel explains. “He told Damona that I would be perfect for the showcase.” Hershfeld’s recommendation is just one of many impressive recognitions that Sherel has garnered in the past few months. Having acted for ten years and lived in Los Angeles for almost seven, Sherel is now finally getting the breaks she deserves. Her roll as Pam the hairdresser on Everybody Hates Chris, originally set for one episode, was recently turned into a recurring character, and many guest starring spots on hit shows like What About Brian, are slated for the near future.
Sherel began her career in pageants and modeling before being approached by an agent who suggested she had too much personality to settle for still photos. She was booked on her first job for a technical training video. “I was terrible,” she recounts. “But, they saw something in me that they liked. The next training video they made, they wrote a role especially for me named Tasia.” It was this raw talent that set Sherel apart. Shortly after moving to Los Angeles, she formed her own theater company called EMBODI Entertainment. It is the only theater company in Los Angeles that is exclusively female and one of the only companies that caters specifically to African American females.
In addition to acting and running her theater company, Sherel also teaches acting classes, gives motivational speeches around the Los Angeles area, produces, directs, and does some work as a casting director. This multi-talented artist and entrepreneur can be seen in The Second Annual NBC Universal Diversity Showcase on January 24 at either 1PM or 7:30 PM. The showcase will be held at the Falcon Theater in Los Angeles. It is located at 4252 W. Riverside Dr. in Burbank, California, 91505. For further inquiries about the showcase, please contact NBC Universal at (818) 840-6530.
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