Photos: Studio For Performing Arts LA Hosts 4th Annual MENASA Showcase

The 4th Annual MENASA Diversity Actors Showcase returned this spring as a dynamic hybrid industry event, connecting actors and entertainment professionals through both a live Los Angeles showcase and a nationwide digital platform. Check out photos of the event.

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 expand as a leading platform for talent discovery, supporting actors of Middle Eastern, North African, South Asian, and Southwest Asian (MENASA / SWANA) descent.

The 2026 showcase brought together actors from across the United States, offering a dual-access model designed to increase visibility and accessibility. Participants submitted recorded monologues for inclusion in a curated industry database, while a select group of performers presented live at the Culver City Theatre in Los Angeles as part of the Hollywood Arab Film Festival.

This hybrid format allows industry professionals—including casting directors, agents, managers, and producers—to engage with talent both in real time and on an ongoing basis. All participating actors were included in a private database shared with industry guests, creating continued opportunities for casting, discovery, and professional connection beyond the live event.

Founded by actor, director, and educator Walid Chaya, the MENASA Diversity Actors Showcase was created to help address persistent gaps in representation across film and television. Industry research continues to highlight the need for change, with MENASA characters often underrepresented or portrayed through limited and stereotypical narratives.

“Creating access is just as important as creating opportunity,” said Chaya. “This showcase is about building a bridge between talented actors and the industry professionals who can help bring their work to the screen.”

The initiative has grown steadily each year, attracting industry participants from major markets including Los Angeles, New York, and Washington, D.C., while expanding its national reach through its digital component. By combining a live performance experience with a scalable online platform, the showcase offers a more inclusive approach to talent discovery that extends beyond geographic limitations.

The showcase is produced by Studio For Performing Arts LA, a Los Angeles–based acting school and training studio focused on professional development for actors, and supported by the Studio For Performing Arts Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to expanding access to high-quality performing arts education and industry opportunities. The event is presented in collaboration with the Hollywood Arab Film Festival, which champions Arab and North African voices in cinema and fosters cultural exchange through film.

Special thanks were extended to the Hollywood Arab Film Festival for its continued collaboration and commitment to amplifying MENASA voices in film and media, as well as to the many casting professionals and industry supporters who contributed their time and engagement to the initiative.

As the entertainment industry continues to evolve, the MENASA Diversity Actors Showcase remains focused on creating meaningful pathways for underrepresented talent—connecting performers with real access, increasing visibility, and supporting more authentic representation on screen.

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