The Disney ABC Television 2019 Writers Program has selected eight writers from five different states to participate in the program, according to Deadline.
- Five of the writers were selected for comedy writing. These writers are:
- Children’s literacy advocate Aadip Desai from Sacramento, California.
- Jesse Esparza, writer and performer at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre, from Sacramento, California.
- Technical project manager Jessica Combs from Miami, Florida.
- Stand-up comedian Marina Quintero from Pasadena, California.
- Former international aid director and investment analyst Nayna Agrawal from Vienna, Virginia.
- The remaining three writers were selected for drama writing. Those writers are:
- Actor Racheal Seymour from Fairbanks, Alaska.
- Digital producer Tracy Taylor from Chicago, Illinois.
- Writers’ assistant Will J. Watkins from Chicago, Illinois.
- This one-year program was created in 1990 with the goal of helping participants secure their first staffing assignments via Disney-ABC Television series.
- The 2018 participants collectively landed eight script assignments.
What they’re saying:
- Tim McNeal, vice president, Creative Talent Development & Inclusion: “The Creative Talent Development & Inclusion team is excited to continue expanding the pool of talent with this diverse group of writers on the cusp of breaking through. We look forward to championing their careers as they move up the ranks to join our showrunner and producer alumni in continuing to change the face of Hollywood.”
ICYMI – More ABC news:
- The National Football League announced that ABC will be hosting a two-hour special from the 2019 NFL Scouting Combine.
- ABC is reportedly developing a second spinoff to their popular comedy series black-ish, focused on a young version of Rainbow Johnson.
- ABC will broadcast a special first look at their new Videos After Dark series following the season finale of The Bachelor. The new show will be hosted by Bob Saget and will feature home videos with an edgier twist.
- ABC has announced early renewals for The Good Doctor, A Million Little Things, Shark Tank and Modern Family.