TNT Announces Finalists for 'Dramatic Auditions' Program

TNT Announces Finalists for 'Dramatic Auditions' Program Three Aspiring Actors Compete for a Shot to "Make It Big" in Hollywood ATLANTA, Nov. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- Turner Network Television (TNT), television's destination for drama, has chosen the three finalists in its "Dramatic Auditions" program, a first-of-its-kind nationwide search for the most talented aspiring actors in America. Nick Mathis of Chicago, Gloria Belle from Los Angeles and Peter (P.J.) Marshall from Los Angeles have made it to the final cut in the off-channel talent competition. They were among the 20 semifinalists picked from thousands of hopeful dramatic actors from across the country, each of whom performed a monologue from The New Classics' movies on TNT. The three finalists for TNT's "Dramatic Auditions" program will complete their final audition taping in Los Angeles later this month. Mathis, a 21-year-old aspiring actor from Chicago, submitted his audition to TNT by mail. He currently spends his time dabbling in improv, studying to do stand up and, to pay the bills, taking on the role of resident handyman for a local costume shop. Belle is a 26-year-old from the San Francisco Bay area. She recently moved to Los Angeles, where she attended the live audition. Belle began acting at age 16 after being inspired by a play she saw with her mother. In addition to pursuing an acting career, Belle works with disabled children and the Foundation for the Junior Blind. Marshall currently lives in Los Angeles, but attended the live auditions in Las Vegas. The 36-year-old actor began performing at community colleges and then moved to New York to study. While in New York, he performed in several Off-Off-Broadway shows and recently moved back to Los Angeles to work on a film. The three finalists' tapes will be reviewed by a panel of judges that includes four-time Emmy recipient Dennis Franz. The winner, to be announced in December, will receive $50,000, an apartment in Los Angeles, use of a car for 12 months, acting lessons and a publicist. The "Dramatic Auditions" search began in Los Angeles, Calif., on Oct. 7, then traveled to Las Vegas on Oct. 12 and New York on Oct. 21. In addition, hopeful actors across the country who could not attend the live auditions were allowed to submit their auditions both online and by mail. Turner Network Television (TNT), television's destination for drama and one of cable's top-rated networks, offers award-caliber original films, such as the Johnson & Johnson Spotlight Presentation The Wool Cap and the adventure drama The Librarian: Quest for the Spear; highly anticipated original series, including the Steven Spielberg 12-hour series, Into the West; powerful one- hour dramas, such as Law & Order, Without a Trace, ER, NYPD Blue, Charmed, Judging Amy and Angel; broadcast premiere movies; and championship sports coverage, including NASCAR and the NBA. TNT is also available in high- definition. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner company, is a major producer of news and entertainment product around the world and a leading provider of programming for the television industry. Source: Turner Network Television CONTACT: Neal Wilder of Creaxion, +1-404-495-4512, or neal@creaxion.com, or Michelle Sisco of TNT PR, +1-404-885-4784, or michelle.sisco@turner.com Web site: http://www.tnt-tv.com/ ------- Profile: International Entertainment