Expert: Kitty Kavey - 12/23/2009

Question
Hi. My daughter age 10 is interested in modeling/dance. She is currently on 3 different dance teams, very athletic. We live in the philadelphia area and are looking for an agency, audition or whatever the starting point should be for a rookie of sorts. We just attended a "casting call" in Cherry hill, NJ, called THE (pronounced tae) which turned out to be a scam. Was a real downer for us especially for Melissa. Thanks for your valued advise

Answer
I'm sorry you had that experience.  One of the following agencies in the general Philadelphia area should be better.  You are only looking for representation for your daughter, and the agency should only be earning their income by taking a percentage off of the money your daughter earns through them (usually 10-20%).  If it's clear that they are making their money in other ways, such as selling photography/printing services, classes, or have monthly "fees" for things like webpages or mailings, then you're probably better off trying another agency.  The modeling and acting industry does not require anyone to have taken classes, and quite a few of the well-known actors and top models have never taken a class or course in acting or modeling - and certainly few models have any type of training or instruction before they begin working.

Also, when you contact the agency to find out what ages and types of talent they represent, if they do not rep children of your daughter's age, be sure to ask if they could recommend someone who does.  It is possible to get a good referral that way.

I put the Reinhard agency first, as they look the best given what you and your daughter are looking for, but check out all the agencies and I hope you'll find a perfect match for your daughter.

Good luck to you,
~Kitty

Reinhard Agency
2021 ARCH STREET, PHILADELPHIA, PA 19103
215-567-2008
http://www.reinhardagency.com/

Veronica Goodman Agency
117 NORTH BLACKHORSE PIKE RUNEMEDE, NJ 08078
856-216-8000
http://veronicagoodmanagency.com/

Greer Lange Talent Agency
3 BALA PLAZA WEST, BALA CYNWYD, PA 19004
610-747-0300
http://greerlange.com/

Maryanne Claro Talent Agency
1513 WEST PASSYUNK AVE PHILADELPHIA, PA 19145
215-465-7788
http://clarotalent.info/

Mccullough Associates
8 SOUTH HANOVER AVENUE MARGATE CITY, NJ 08402-2615
609-822-2222

Models On The Move
1200 ROUTE 70, CHERRY HILL, NJ 08034
856-667-1060

Plaza 7
234 MALL BLVD STE 110 KING OF PRUSSIA KING OF PRUSSIA, PA 19406
610-337-2693
http://www.plaza7talent.com/

Docherty, Inc.
109 MARKET STREET PITTSBURGH, PA 15222
412-765-1400
http://www.dochertyagency.com/
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