‘Abbott Elementary’ creatives tapped for Disney Television Discovers: Talent Showcase [Video]

LOS ANGELES — Since 2001, the Disney Television Discovers: Talent Showcase has been a vital force in the entertainment industry. More than 600 performers have had their careers launched by the program, including Gina Rodriguez, Randall Park, the late Academy Award nominee Chadwick Boseman and Academy Award winner Lupita Nyong’o. But the showcase is more than a numbers game, it’s a commitment to inclusivity and innovation in the storytelling world.

Originally a live, two-person scene presented in front of a theater audience, the innovative new showcase format was executed as a longer, non-televised and filmed presentation. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the showcase pivoted to virtually filmed pieces as theaters shut down alongside the rest of the world. Inspired by this shift and the demands of the entertainment landscape, Felicia Joseph, senior vice president of casting ABC Entertainment Group, knew it was time to think bigger.

RELATED: Meet the rising actors selected for the Disney Television Discovers: Talent Showcase

“In this …