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NBC and Oneida Nation's Four Directions Talent Search Goes Online - Entries Sought in the U.S. and Canada for Native American Talent Search

Oneida Nation Homelands - The Four Directions Talent Search, recently launched by NBC and the Oneida Indian Nation, now has a home on the Internet.

In a major effort to increase the presence of Native Americans on television, NBC and the Nation established a talent search for Indian actors, comedians and writers. Information and updates about this unique opportunity are available on the new web site.

The site includes links to venues in Seattle, Denver, Philadelphia, Toronto and Connecticut where first round events were held, beginning in August at Foxwoods Resort Casino. The Oneida Nation's Turning Stone Casino Resort, the site of the semi-finals, has a featured link. Visitors also can explore Performance Space NBC ( PSNBC), the New York City site where the finals will be held on November 8. Features such as celebrity quotes, showbiz tips and a talent directory of Native performers will be available soon.

The talent search is open to tribally affiliated Native Americans/First Nations members. There is no restriction on individuals who are currently under contract with a talent agent or studio. All performers and writers are encouraged to apply through the web site via an online application form. "Breaking into films, television or live theater is difficult for Native Americans who may have talent but never have had access to the opportunities," said Ray Halbritter, Nation Representative and Chief Operating Officer of the Nation. "Through Four Directions, NBC and the Oneida Nation will help open doors and cultivate this talent.

When the television community announced nominees for the Emmys, its awards for excellence, not a single Native American or member of Canada’s First Nations were included on the list.

The happy outcome of a North American talent search by NBC and the Oneida Indian Nation is a major first step toward changing that. The television network and the Indian Nation are joining forces to identify Native actors, comedians and writers for possible entrée into films and television.

Four Directions Talent Search is under way throughout the U.S. and Canada. It is seeking Native Americans and members of Canada’s First Nations to perform for judges at five locations. The finals are slated for late fall in New York City.

In addition to those performers, writers may submit a screenplay, script, or short story for review by an entertainment industry oriented advisory panel. Those writers receiving accolades by the advisory panel will be presented at the PSNBC performance.

Entries may also be submitted to: Four Directions Talent Search, Oneida Nation Communications, 579A Main Street, Oneida, New York 13421.

For more information regarding the nationwide Native talent search
visit Four Directions Talent on the Internet.