2024 | SHOWCASE CAST
ZAIN AHMAD
Zain is a Jersey boy living out his dreams in Los Angeles: working as an actor, model, and attorney. As an actor and model, he is inspired by innovative brands and stories that genuinely light up the human experience. Zain's legal career has spanned major corporate law firms, NASA, The White House, a think tank, and Marvel Studios at The Walt Disney Company. In his free time, Zain enjoys surfing, hiking, and being a plant daddy.
instagram: @mr_zainahmad
CHANELL BELL
Chanell Bell (she/her) is an American storyteller and humanitarian. Born in Portsmouth Virginia, Chanell made her stage debut at nine years old. She went on to study at the illustrious Howard University, earning her a BFA in acting and on to eventually receive her Masters in Acting from The Theatre School at DePaul. Previous performances include Fireflies (Northlight), She The People (Second City), Crumbs from the Table of Joy (Raven). Chanell can currently be seen as Dr. Lauryn Williams in POWER Book: IV on STARZ network. Recent nominations include the BTAA Ethel Waters Award for her role as Olivia Grace in Fireflies. In addition to performing, Chanell is dedicated to helping young artists fine tune their craft and has spent years teaching creatives in countries all over the world. In 2021, she established the first drama program at Nautilus School, a black owned private school on the southside of Chicago. She dedicates most of her creative givebacks in black communities where she believes access and visibility is crucial.
instagram: @chanellbell
MARYNA BENNETT
Maryna Bennett began her journey at age eight, from commercials to the theatrical world. Known for conveying raw, authentic emotions, she aims to inspire and collaborate with emerging writers and directors, bringing characters to life in compelling ways.
instagram: @marynabennett
tiktok: @marynadoll
MAYURI BHANDARI
MAYURI BHANDARI is an Actress, Dancer/Figure Skater, and Storyteller in both Bollywood and Hollywood industries. She is the first South Asian figure skater to showcase figure skating on Indian National Television. Mayuri has starred in Lincoln Lawyer (Netflix), Dave (FX/Hulu), Rebel (ABC), Nightingale (Prime), High Potential (Hulu), and Just Dance (Star Plus). Her voice over includes Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (Sony), Ms. Marvel (Disney), Shantaram (Apple), and she narrates for audiobooks (Penguin Random House). She will be touring her solo show THE ANTI "YOGI", which premiered at the Hollywood Fringe Festival with 2 wins and 6 nominations. Mayuri's 'artivism' voices women's empowerment, environmental activism, and stories of Brown experience and identity. She is currently a yoga and dance professor at Loyola Marymount University.
instagram: @mayuribhandariofficial
tiktok: @mayuribhandariofficial
BRIZA COVARRUBIAS
Multilingual LA native, Briza Covarrubias has always pursued performance and philanthropy. Her first love was dancing at a young age and her pursuit of comedy, theater and film soon followed. Earning her Bachelors in Communication Studies from Cal State University Long Beach, she traveled the world with various social justice theater groups performing Theater of the Oppressed workshops. She continues to uplift marginalized communities and combat climate change through work as an activist and producer. You can catch her Guest starring on All Rise, Greys Anatomy, leading The Stolen Valley NOW on VOD and so much more!
instagram: @LaBrizness
tiktok: @LaBrizness
MARIANA DA SILVA
Mariana, a Brazilian/Mexican actress and writer, is reshaping the entertainment industry. Her storytelling reflects the rich tapestry of Latinx culture, while her nonprofit, El Cine, fosters inclusivity and supports aspiring filmmakers. Mariana wrote, directed and starred in the first bilingual production with Tim Robbins' ensemble and through his mentorship at The Actors' Gang. The play, Ybor City, challenges stereotypes and amplifies Latinx voices. Through her work, she inspires and empowers the next generation of artists, leaving a profound impact on both her community and the industry.
instagram: @maridasilva
CAROLINE HUEY
Caroline Huey is an actor/writer/producer who is very passionate about telling stories revolving around women and themes of religion as she comes from growing up in the Christian Conservative South.
instagram: @caroline.huey
ARNE GJELTEN
Arne is an actor, writer, dancer, and director. His films have played the Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival, The Minneapolis Institute of Art, Defy Film Festival, and The Kansas City LGBT Film Festival. Online they’ve been featured on Director’s Notes, NoBudge, Film School Rejects, Vulture, NewNowNext, and Out Magazine. As a dancer, he’s worked with Fitz and The Tantrums, Peaches, Margaret Cho, Arcade Fire, Pharrell, Lydia Ainsworth, Kenzo, and can be seen in the final season of Dear White People and Andrew Dominik’s film Blonde.
He’s worked extensively in experimental theatre and has performed at The Ace Hotel, STARS, Non Plus Ultra, The Cavern Club, LACMA, O-Town House, Akbar, The Regent, Pieter Performance Space, Highways Performance Space, USC, Human Resources, The Fonda, 18th Street Arts, PAM, LAX Arts, The Sweat Spot, Bootleg Theater, The Machine Project, and The Forum. He graduated from the Gallatin School at New York University and has since trained at The Sweat Spot, The Groundlings, and with Marjorie Ballentine. He lives in Silver Lake.
instagram: @gjelten
SHAYNE GOTTLIEB
Shayne Gottlieb Is an artist and actor currently based in Los Angeles. Their favorite credits include being hot and silly in a Charli XCX music video, and Shayne in Male.18-35 (SF International Film Fest Award Winner). In addition to gracing the screen and stage, Shayne is a skilled rug maker, singer, and co-founder of trans centered movement group, They Move. Their dream is to keep making and uplifting art with queer and transgender creators at the center, and to carve a little more space for boys like them to feel represented.
instagram: @hansg0t
tiktok: @hansg0t
CHAUNTICE GREEN
Chauntice Green is an actor, director and photographer based in Los Angeles.
instagram: @chaunticeg
PRESHOUS JORDAN
Preshous Jordan is an actress and professional roller skater originally from San Diego, now based in Los Angeles. With over 15 years of acting and performance experience, she took the leap into professional acting in 2021 booking a guest star role on NCIS: Los Angeles. She’s currently making waves as a commercial actress, with credits in major campaigns for Domino’s, Google x Samsung, Apple, Burger King, Best Buy, Target, Simon Malls, and more. In addition to her acting career, Preshous mastered roller skating in 2020, leading to standout performances alongside Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak in their "Skate" music video, as well as appearances at the Billboard Music Awards with Mariah Carey and the American Music Awards with P!nk. Through her work, Preshous aims to be a positive form of representation and inspiration, encouraging others to stand out and boldly follow their dreams.
instagram: @ohhsopreshous
tiktok: @ohhsopreshous
ANITA KALATHARA
Anita is an actress/writer who can be seen on Quantum Leap (NBC), Doom Patrol (HBO Max), India Sweets & Spices (Hulu). She's the voice of the first South Asian troll in Dreamworks' Trollstopia and of Kavi Sharma, the first South Asian American Girl Doll in the animated series. She’s currently working on some animated projects at Nickelodeon. She wrote and starred in Unfair & Lovely, spotlighting colorism in India. Anita loves creating characters and telling stories of atypical women who follow unique paths and defy cultural and societal limitations.
instagram: @Anitakalathara
tiktok: @Anitakalathara
SOFIE KHAN
Sofie Khan grew up in Chicago where her wild experiences led her to write the sold-out, award-winning one-person show - MexiStani: Growing Up Mexican and Pakistani in America. Her short film, Ground Nuts, was the official selection at several film festivals and won awards for Best Comedy. She currently volunteers as a Director for Latinas Acting Up and is a proud alum of the WBD Access and CBS Pipeline programs. Sofie is grateful to be a part of the Disruptors Fellowship Showcase in support of this cohort of emerging television writers.
instagram: @heysofiekhan
tiktok: @heysofiekhan
SHAMAR HOLLAND
I was born in Somalia and moved to us 10 years ago. for the past 6years I've been pursuing my dream of acting and i'm loving every moment of it. i come from soccer background but transitioning into acting has been amazing.
instagram: @sharmaarkemohamed.official
BRIAN NELSON JR.
Brian Nelson Jr. is an Actor/Writer/Director from Chicago, based in LA. He has worked regionally at Geffen Playhouse, Alabama Shakespeare Festival doing Dominique Morrisseau's PIPELINE as DUN. Gulfshore Playhouse in August Wilson's RADIO GOLF and William Shakespeare's A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM. He recently completed training at the British American Drama Academy in Oxfordshire, England. His T.V. and film credits include CHICAGO MED (NBC), INSECURE (FX), GENERAL HOSPITAL (ABC), ALL AMERICAN: HOMECOMING (CW), THE NEIGHBORHOOD (CBS), CHICAGO P.D. (NBC), A.P.B. (FOX), TEACHER ( Amazon Prime) ,THE CHI (SHOWTIME) and DAYS OF OUR LIVES (PEACOCK).
instagram: @Brian.nelsonjr
CARTER NELSON
I began pursuing acting seriously in 2018 and landed my first series regular role on Netflix in 2019 called Grand Army. In addition to acting, I have a deep passion for writing scripts, allowing me to express my creativity in new ways. I recently transitioned and have never felt so alive in my entire life. When I'm not immersed in my work, I enjoy spending time with my family. With over 10 years of experience as a photographer, I've found it to be another outlet for my creativity and freedom.
instagram: @cnelson
tiktok: @itscnelson
EMMETT PRECIADO
I’m a transman, an actor and a nature lover. I love performing and bringing writers’ visions to life. Thank you so much for having me!
instagram: @emmettpreciado
tiktok: @emmettpreciado
NOHELY QUIROZ
Nohely Quiroz is a versatile performer celebrated for her dynamic talents as a singer, actor, comedian, voice-over artist, and professional stuntwoman. With a passion for storytelling, she created the acclaimed stage show Tales of a Five Foot Nothing. Nohely’s voice can be heard in popular animated series like Monsters at Work and Prep & Landing: The Snowball Protocol on Disney+, as well as in Woman in Blue on Apple TV. Her on-screen credits include Better Call Saul, NCIS, and On Call. With her diverse skill set and engaging presence, Nohely continues to captivate audiences across multiple platforms including the CBS Sketch Comedy Showcase.
instagram: @nohelyviquiroz
JESSIE REEDER
Jessie Reeder is an actress, poet, and creator of art from Memphis, TN. With her talents she strives to tell stories around the world. When she's not creating, Jessie enjoys inspiring children through education, and recharging with her family. After obtaining her bachelor's degree in Theater with a concentration in Dance. Jessie took a leap of faith and moved to Los Angeles in 2019. As she continues to refine her craft she stays rooted in the foundation that art mimics life. She enjoys using everything she has learned and experienced to bring characters to life. You can catch her in "Queen Rising," as Brooke on Apple TV and "God of Dreams," as Amani on Amazon Prime.
instagram: @jessiereeder_
SIERRA SANTANA
Sierra Santana, a Xicana through and through, graduated from the University of California, Irvine with a BA in Drama and a Minor in Political Science. After college, Santana became passionate about becoming the face she needed to see in the media when she was young. She has been a working model for 10 years and an actress and storyteller since birth. With a personal dedication to see women and girls of all colors and sizes represented in the media, Santana sought out and achieved modeling jobs with some of the top brands in the country, including Target, Ford Motors, Torrid, Jim Beam, Playstation, The North Face and Savage X Fenty. You may have even seen her on a billboard in Times Square once or twice.
After becoming a Buzzfeed favorite with her viral videos that addressed Latinidad, body image and feminism, Sierra created content and brand strategy in the digital space for Joey Soloway (Emmy Award Winner), Topple Productions, the Disruptors Fellowship, YEA! Impact and LALIFF. She recently served as the Director of Digital and Production at YEA! Impact where she worked at the intersection of climate justice and entertainment. Sierra was also the only Senior Producer of color at the 2023 and 2024 Hollywood Climate Summit which boasted collaborations with Netflix, Variety, The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and more. Santana is also a co-producer on the feature film titled, COAST, a coming-of-age story of a young Latina girl in a Central Coast agricultural town. Sierra is the co-founder and producer of Las Tóxicas LIVE, a comedy variety show experience that is written, directed, produced by and stars Latinas. Sierra hopes her artistry and staunch activism for Women, BIPOC and the queer community, will contribute to bridging the gap between access and opportunity for historically disenfranchised individuals.
instagram: @vivalasantana
CHARLES LAMONT SMITH II
Born in Denver Colorado, Charles grew up as an athlete. He later found the arts in college where he attended Howard University. After college he moved to LA, where he became an actor starring in shows such as Snowfall, 9-11, All-American. He also studied theater in Oxford at the great BADA at Oxford Program.
instagram: @Charleslsmithh
GABRIEL SOUSA
Versatile screen actor Gabriel Sousa began working professionally at the age of 12, performing as an actor on stage in theater productions in South Florida, where he was raised. Brazilian-born and fluent in Portuguese and Spanish, Gabriel continues to expand his film and television career with Guest Stars in NCIS and Night Court, as well as credits in major productions such as HBO's Westworld and Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
instagram: @thebrazilionaire
TONATIUH
Tonatiuh is an accomplished bilingual actor, screenwriter, and voiceover artist with over a decade of experience. A native Angeleno of Mexican and Nicaraguan descent, Tonatiuh has steadily built a career marked by diverse and dynamic roles. Most recently, Tonatiuh wrapped production on Kiss of the Spider Woman, a film adaptation of the Broadway musical directed by Bill Condon, in which he stars alongside Jennifer Lopez and Diego Luna. He also has a supporting role in the upcoming thriller Carry-On, directed by Jaume Collet-Serra and featuring Jason Bateman and Taron Egerton, which is set to premiere on December 13th on Netflix.
Tonatiuh’s early foray into the Los Angeles theater scene included standout performances with IAMA Theatre Company in Species Native to California and The House That Jake Built, as well as with Echo Theatre Company in Fixed. It was during his final performance in Fixed that he caught the attention of Mexican-American actress and showrunner Tanya Saracho. Inspired by his performance, Saracho wrote him into her GLAAD Media Award-winning STARZ series Vida (2017-18), where Tonatiuh portrayed the gender-bending character Marcos Zamora over three seasons. This role earned him widespread recognition, landing him on the cover of the LA Times Calendar Section in May 2020.
Tonatiuh's past television and streaming credits include a series regular role as Antonio Sandoval in the ABC drama Promised Land (2021), alongside John Ortiz and Cecilia Suárez. He also had a major recurring role in the Peacock limited series Angelyne (2022), starring Emmy Rossum and Martin Freeman, and has appeared in popular shows such as Jane the Virgin (2016), Chicago Med (2019), Famous in Love (2018), and Stargate: Origins (2018). On the big screen, Tonatiuh starred in the SXSW-selected film Drunk Bus (2020) alongside Kara Hayward and Charlie Tahan, and played a supporting lead in the indie dramedy Shoplifters of the World (2021) with Joe Manganiello. In addition to his on-screen work, Tonatiuh is a recurring voice actor on the Nickelodeon cartoon The Loud House, where he brings to life the character Miguel. Tonatiuh is deeply committed to using his platform for social change. A champion for those who have been historically marginalized, he speaks regularly on issues impacting Latinx, undocumented, BIPOC, and LGBTQ+ communities, as well as advocating for the overturn of Citizens United. He has collaborated with activist organizations such as BLD PWR, Black Lives Matter, Young Entertainment Activists, Harness, the Center for Cultural Power, and The Equis Institute. Tonatiuh is represented by Adil Chamakh at Animal Federation.
instagram: @iamtonatiuh
tiktok: @iamtonatiuh
JEFF TORRES
Jeff Torres is thrilled to work with Disruptors to bring these stories to life! A long time actor and an award winning filmmaker he's studied acting, directing, and writing from various mentors for UC, Riverside to LA, NYC, and even at UNAM in Mexico City. Currently he's most excited about writing and directing. He's a proud Deadline Junkies writer/actor and member of both Company of Angels and Antaeus. TV/Film Credits include FBI, The Donor Party, S.W.A.T., Night Sky, The Crumbles, Pitch, In Flight, and the upcoming feature film Home Delivery. Theatre credits: King Henry IV: Part I (Antaeus), Berowne in Love's Labour's Lost (Downtown Rep), This Land (Company of Angels). Directing: Live A Little (Company of Angels), Sales of a Deathman! (Antaeus).