Recap: MENASA Diversity Actors Showcase 2026 Nationwide Talent Meets Industry Through Hybrid Los Angeles Event
- Apr 18
- 6 min read
Updated: Apr 22
𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐢𝐨 𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐀𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐋𝐀 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐅𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐲𝐰𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐀𝐫𝐚𝐛 𝐅𝐢𝐥𝐦 𝐅𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐥, 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐀𝐒𝐀/𝐒𝐖𝐀𝐍𝐀 𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬.
The 4th Annual MENASA Diversity Actors Showcase returned April 18, 2026 as a hybrid industry event, connecting actors and entertainment professionals through both a live Los Angeles showcase and a nationwide digital platform.
Presented by Studio For Performing Arts LA and the Studio For Performing Arts Foundation in collaboration with the Hollywood Arab Film Festival, the initiative continues to grow as a national platform for talent discovery, supporting actors of Middle Eastern, North African, South Asian, and Southwest Asian (MENASA / SWANA) descent.
The 2026 edition expanded its reach through a dual-access model, allowing actors across the United States to participate while providing industry professionals with both real-time and ongoing access to emerging talent.
Actors of Middle Eastern, North African, South Asian, and Southwest Asian (MENASA / SWANA) descent are invited to submit for the 4th Annual MENASA Diversity Showcase, an industry initiative designed to increase visibility and opportunity for MENASA actors in film and television.
Produced by Studio For Performing Arts LA and the Studio for Performing Arts Foundation, in collaboration with the Hollywood Arab Film Festival, directed by Walid Chaya, gives selected actors the opportunity to perform a one-minute monologue for industry professionals, including casting directors, agents, managers, producers, and other VIPs.
Actors participated in person in Los Angeles and virtually by submitting a recorded monologue.
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🎭 2026 Showcase Highlights & Reach
The 2026 edition was designed to maximize accessibility, participation, and industry exposure:
• Actors from across the United States participated through recorded monologue submissions
• A select group of performers presented live at the Culver City Theatre in Los Angeles, part of the Hollywood Arab Film Festival
• All participants—both virtual and in-person—were included in a curated industry database
• The database has been shared with casting directors, agents, and managers and will continue to serve as an ongoing casting resource
This dual format ensures that actors nationwide can be seen and considered, while still offering a live performance experience for those selected to present in Los Angeles.
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🌍 A Nationwide Platform for MENASA/SWANA Actors
The MENASA Diversity Actors Showcase is built to bridge the gap between talent and access in the entertainment industry.
The 2026 showcase brought together actors of Middle Eastern, North African, South Asian, and Southwest Asian (MENASA / SWANA) descent from across the United States, highlighting a wide range of talent for industry professionals in film and television.
This hybrid model allows the showcase to function as both:
• A live Los Angeles industry showcase
• A nationwide casting resource for ongoing talent discovery
The result is a more inclusive and scalable approach that expands opportunity beyond geography.
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🎬 2026 Industry Guests
This year’s online showcase welcomed a strong group of casting directors, agents, managers, and directors across film and television:
*Denotes guests that also attended the in-person showcase
*Marilyn Atlas – Manager, Marilyn R Atlas Management
Ani Avetyan – Casting Director, Ani Avetyan Casting
Eve Battaglia – Casting Director, Eve Battaglia Casting
*Antonious Bassily – Producer/Director, Magic Eye Productions
Raphael Berko – Agent, MAG Agency
Judy Bouley – Casting Director, Judy Bouley Casting
Robin Carus – Casting Director, Robin Carus Casting
Anne Chapman – Casting Director, Anne Chapman Casting
*Walid Chaya – Director, Moonlit Wings Productions
Michael Chiaverini – Theatrical Agent, BRS/Gage
Nikki Dalmau – Casting Director, Nikki Casting
Michael Donovan – Casting Director, Michael Donovan Casting
Sueanne Edan – Agent, Tangerine Talent
Danielle Eskinazi – Casting Director, Danielle Eskinazi Casting
Giovannie Espiritu – Director & Founder, Her Hunger Media
Megan Foley – Casting Director, Foley Marra Casting
Joe Florance – Agent, Circle of 10 Talent Agency
Karlee Fomalont – Casting Director, Rori Bergman Casting
Brette Goldstein – Casting Director, Brette Goldstein Casting
Vicki Goggin – Casting Director, Vicki Goggin Casting
Carly Granovsky – Casting Director, Carly Granovsky Casting
Craig Holzberg – Agent, Avalon Artists Group
Matt Ilczuk – Manager, Entertainment Lab
Tanya Kleckner – Theatrical Agent/Voiceover, HRI Talent Agency
Richard Lothian – Casting Director, Richard Lothian Casting
Ryan Luevano – Manager, Skyfire Artists Management
Daniel Lir – Director, Dream Team Directors
Robert Martin Jr. – Casting Director, Digital Dogs Casting
*Shyree Mezick – Casting Director, Shyree Casting
Rachel Mossey – Casting Director, Weeble Mountain Casting
M’Saada Nia – Casting Director, Freelance
Jon Ort – Casting Director, Ort Casting
Liz Ortiz – Casting Director, I Aint Playin Films
Sujotta Pace – Casting Director, Sujotta Casting
Lisa Pantone – Casting Director, Pantone Casting
*Sean Perez – Manager, Sean Michael Management
*Shei Sahagun – Manager, CAP Management
*Hamzah Saman – Casting Director, Arab American Casting
Michael Sanford – Casting Director, Sanford Casting
Javier Salgado – Manager, Chamber 37 Entertainment
Arlene Schuster-Goss – Casting Director, ASG Casting
Cindy Schoonover – Agent, Eris Talent Agency
Paul Sinacore – Casting Director, Paul Sinacore Casting
Mike Tauber – Manager, Station Three Management
Mindy Treitel – Commercial Agent, Bella Agency
Kevin Turner – Theatrical Agent, Daniel Hoff Agency
*Richard Tucci – Director, Greater and Grander Films
Alex Walters – Casting Associate, 5th House Casting
Paul Weber – Casting Director, Paul Weber Casting
Seth Yanklewitz – Casting Director, Seth Yanklewitz Casting
Susan Zachary – Manager, The Zachary Co.
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🎤 2026 Actor Participants
The 2026 showcase featured a diverse group of actors from across MENASA/SWANA backgrounds nationwide:
Kaj Adnan
Lois Abdelmalek
Zeina Abdelhady
Maher Aghnim
Khalil Amonette
Bianca Atari
Osama Awadalla
Pahlig Avakian
Armen Babasoloukian
Manju Bangalore
Megh Basu
Kartic Bhargav
Kieren Van Den Blink
Nicky Boulos
Rakhir Bharat
Simran Budhwani
Eden Butvinik
Walid Chaya
Michael Crispo
Fouad Dakwar
Harven Danelian
Cyrus Deboo
Fady Demian
John El-Jor
Gloria El-Achkar
Wida Etemadi
Zehra Fazal
Michelle Ghatan
Omar Ghonim
Joey Gholam
Adam Kern
Kamran Khan
Saalika Khan
Raj Koirala
Maram Kamal
Sapna Kumar
Vee Kumari
Paul Zecharia
Selena Latouf
Mark Latte
Khalil LeSaldo
Ian Mark
Julia Mashal
Ahmad Maher
Mahmoud Mahmoud
Farah Merani
Jihad Milhem
Sam Mistry
Alex Mounir
Sunita S. Mukhi
Hugh Mun
Haneen Arafat Murphy
James Museitif
Amira Nader
Dana Omar
Nicole Pano
Yasmin Pacella
Tamil Periasamy
Noreen Quadir
Adam Qutaishat
Sonya Rao
Ahmed Reda
Elhem Rich
Imaan Rizwan
Aline Salloum
Laila Sahir
Demitra Sealy
Negine Sekandari
Momina Shahzad
Fallon Shaya
Kimberly Singh
Marina Soliman
Nadeem Srouji
Pallavi Srinivasan
Hassanen Attabi
Feryal Kilisli
Faris Khaleeli
Aryana Hamzehloo
Mikael Alemseged
Anusha Angur
Kyng Arline
Naeem Khan
Shruthi Rajesh
Nishitha Rajesh
Mariem Amin
Itai Vagner
Shai Vaknine
Gabriella Westwood
Wesly Ray
Ahmed Zalan
Mazen Zayn
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🤝 Ongoing Industry Access & Impact
Following the showcase, all actors were included in a private industry database shared with attending professionals and supporters of the initiative.
This database serves as an ongoing tool for:
• Casting opportunities
• Talent discovery
• Direct outreach from industry professionals
Extending the life of the showcase beyond a single event is central to its impact—ensuring actors continue to be seen, considered, and contacted over time.
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🎯 Advancing Representation in Film & Television
The MENASA Diversity Actors Showcase was created to help address ongoing gaps in representation across the entertainment industry.
Industry research continues to highlight the need for change, with limited visibility and frequent stereotyping of MENASA characters on screen.
By connecting actors directly with casting professionals through both live and digital access points, the initiative works to expand opportunity, visibility, and authentic representation.
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🙏 Acknowledgments
Special thanks to our partners at the Hollywood Arab Film Festival for their collaboration and continued commitment to amplifying MENASA voices in film and media.
We also extend our appreciation to the many casting professionals—including members of the Casting Society—for their support in sharing the opportunity and helping discover and elevate new talent.
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About the MENASA Diversity Showcase
About The Event
The MENASA Diversity Showcase was created to help address the lack of representation of MENASA actors in film and television.
According to MAAC’s “Terrorists & Tyrants” study, 78% of MENA characters on television are portrayed in stereotypical roles, highlighting the continued need for initiatives that expand authentic representation and access. Additional industry research further underscores this gap. According to USC Annenberg’s Impact Report, 92 of the top 100 films analyzed included no Middle Eastern or North African female characters, reflecting a broader lack of visibility for MENASA women on screen.
The initiative was founded by actor and director Walid Chaya through Studio For Performing Arts LA and the Studio For Performing Arts Foundation, with early support from the MENA Arts Advocacy Coalition (MAAC).
This year’s showcase is presented in collaboration with the Hollywood Arab Film Festival.
Previous showcases have featured dozens of performers and attracted industry supporters including casting directors, agents, managers, and producers from Los Angeles, New York, Washington DC, and beyond.
The event continues to grow each year as a platform to help MENASA actors gain exposure and connect with industry professionals.
Press & News
National Today: "MENASA Actors Showcase Returns with Industry Partners"
BroadwayWorld: "Studio For Performing Arts LA Will Host 4th Annual MENASA Diversity Actors Showcase at Culver City Theatre
LA Entertainment Weekly: "Studio For Performing Arts LA Is Turning Acting Training Into Real Hollywood Career"
BroadwayWorld:"Studio For Performing Arts LA, MAAC, Make History With Third Annual MENASA Diversity Showcase"
🔗 Learn More
To learn more about the MENASA Diversity Actors Showcase and upcoming opportunities:
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