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Congressman to host entertainment industry workshops

(Sept. 25, 2003)--Rep. Ciro Rodriguez (D-Texas), the Imagen Foundation and the City of San Antonio will present "Entertainment 101" educational workshops from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. and 1 to 3 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 27, at the Jump Start Theatre, 108 Blue Star. The workshops are open to anyone interested in working in the entertainment industry.

Rodriguez is working in Congress and with local government agencies and organizations on initiatives to respond to occupational and training needs of the entertainment industry. The initiatives emphasize expanding opportunities for underrepresented communities.

At the workshops, Rodriguez will host a panel of entertainment industry representatives who will be available to answer questions.

The panel includes Gene Blythe, executive vice president for casting, ABC Entertainment; Peter Golden, senior vice president, CBS Entertainment; Sonia Nikouri, vice president for casting, NBC Entertainment; Flavio Morales, producer, "LA TV Live;" Maria Barrs, vice president and news director, KDFW FOX4; Michael Muniz, director of Latin organizing, American Federation of Musicians; and Helen Hernandez, president and founder, The Imagen Foundation.

The Imagen Foundation was founded in 1983 by entertainment industry executive Helen Hernandez, TV producer Norman Lear and members of the National Conference of Christians and Jews. Since 1985, the Imagen Awards have been an annual Hollywood tradition, recognizing accomplishments and encouraging the television, film and advertising industries to portray Latino actors and production story lines in a positive and accurate manner.

For more information, contact Hector Morales at 210-924-7383.

Organizational participants in the workshop include the Alameda National Center for Latino Art and Culture, Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center, Jump Start Performance Company, Time Warner Cable, National Association of Latino Arts and Culture, San Antonio Convention and Visitors Bureau, San Antonio Film Commission, San Antonio Department of Economic Development and San Antonio Office of Cultural Affairs.