As announced earlier in these pages, there is a new talent agency in town. Now, that’s a sign that the times are getting better, one hopes. SAG and AFTRA franchised Iris Talent is headed by Monica Campbell. Hers is one—if not the only—agency run by an African-American woman. A veteran of the Chicago talent scene, Campbell worked for year as film agent at Shirley Hamilton and as director of runway at Suzanne’s A Plus. Joining her is Walker Brockington, who also worked at Shirley Hamilton’s.

Campbell will represent talent both exclusively and as multi-listed. Franchised since April 1, they will work in the areas of on-camera (film, television, commercial, industrial), voice-over and theatre as well as commercial print and fashion.

They are looking for submissions, especially from new talent. Models can attend their open calls on Wednesdays, 11-11:30am at their offices at 954 W. Washington, Chicago, 60607. Actors must submit by mail.

To learn more about the city’s newest agency and get details about submission requirements, you can visit their Web site at iristalent.com.

And, for those wanting to learn the business side of the business, they are indeed looking for interns!

Also just opened as a franchised agency is BMG Talent group. They are located at 456 N. May Street, Chicago, 60622. They will be representing actors for work in film, theatre, television, industrial and commercial work, as well as commercial print. The children’s division will represent newborns to 13-year-olds. Those over 14 will be in the (big surprise!) adult division. Actors seeking representation should submit headshots and resumes by mail. Models may submit by mail or at open calls on Thursdays, 2-4pm. The open call is only for models. Additional information about BMG can be found at their Web site www.bmgtalent.com. Their e-mail is info@bmgtalent.com and the telephone is 312/829-6361.

And Jennifer’s Talent in Milwaukee is once again in the AFTRA fold. Their franchise has been restored.

Wow! Busy days at Claire Simon Casting! They are currently casting for the Detroit company of the musical Altar Boyz, as well as for productions of Our Town, Rembrandt’s Gift, Having Our Say, The Price and A Walk In The Woods for Madison Repertory Theatre. They are thrilled to announce that they will be doing the casting for the first season of the new Fox television series “Prison Break,” which will be shot here. Commercial castings included jobs for Doritos, Swiffer and an Internet spot for Kitchen Aid. Booked for a Marathon Oil spot were Norm Boucher, Lakeisha Woodard, Barnali Das, Sam Zerante, Kamal Hans, David Gee, Michael Hargrove and Anne Jacques. Booked on a spot for Southeast Wisconsin Travel were Kristala Pouncey, Meredith Siemsen, Leslie Gray, and Raymond Fox. Bernie Yvon, Linda Bright Clay and David Gee were booked for a commercial for Fifth Third Bank. A Cummins industrial went to Chris Agos and Tom Gaitsch. Booked for the May Company were Kate Merrill, Melanie Ariyanto, Andrew Zehnder, Aspyn Repp, Ethan Phillips, Jack Herrington and Alexandra Brown. On the large screen Simon conducted searches for the feature film Hoot and the feature Zoom for Revolution Studios. And for radio (I think that just about covers every medium) they cast Tim Rhoze, Ivan Vega, J. David Ruby, Clint Todd, Doug James, Joseph Minoso, Meg Thalken, David Darlow, Ilyssa Fradin, Jeff Lupetin, Mike Castle, Christian Stolte, Ana Sferuzza, Elizabeth Ledo, Sarah Wellington. Maggie Carney, Katerina Lenk, Ned Noyes, Yasen Peyankov, Jamie Vann, Lisa Dodson, Terry Berner, Dale Rivera, Gustavo Mellado, Javier Salas, Tony Castillo, Eddie Martinex, Joe Cabellero and Nick Sandoval.

Busy days as well at Tenner Paskal Rudnicke. They booked Jacob Zacher, Bruce Pegelow, Brian Deneen and Steve Haggard for the film Drunkboat which stars John Malkovich and John Goodman. Up on the Rope, an IFP winner, featured Ed Westfall, Lisa Dodson and Natalie Beck. And there was a slew o’ commercials. TPR booked spots for GMC, Buick, McDonald’s, Jimmy Dean, JP Morgan Chase and Dodge. Booked on the Vince Vaughan/Jennifer Anniston feature The Break Up were Chuck Stubbings, Lisa Pace, Jane Hu, Mersedes Mashoj, Elaine Robinson, Madison Dirks, William Dick, Jessica Vilchis, Tiffaney Addison, Eddie Martinez, Shannon Watson, Jacqueline Williams, Jane Alderman, John Turk, Rebecca Spence, Samantha Albert, Susan Messing, Wayne Brown, Phil Riderelli, Nydia Rodriguez, Ryan Cowhey, Megan Klein, Elise McRoberts, Nikki Gahan, and Jessica Stramer, Rana Anene, Tyler Kledzik, and Alexis Peters were booked for McDonald’s. Dan Bakkedahl and Claudia Wallace booked a Blue Cross Blue Shield voice-over. And Matthew Gerdischb, Doris Nicholson, Cynthia Maddox, Peter Calandra, Vola Frohman and John Yoder were booked for American Medical Association.

According to the Illinois Film Office, our Governor has announced that things have gone from “Bust to Boom” in the last two years. No doubt all have heard or read of his efforts and his recent signing of the latest version of the Illinois Tax Credit, which will hopefully bring even more work to our city. Many thanks to all the folks who worked so hard to convince the lawmakers to make us competitive. Nice to know that film set in Chicago and environs are now being shot here again. What an outrage that Joliet Jake of the Blues Brothers II was shot in Canada. Joliet will feature now in both “Prison Break” Fox television starring Dominic Purcell and Wentworth Miller and in Bob Odenkirk’s You’re Going To Prison. Let’s stay vigilant and pro-active.

Congratulations and farewell to Lynn Ann Barnatowicz and Casey Hayes who were married in Galena, honeymooned in Ireland and Europe and then are off to seek fame in Los Angeles. Casey will be pursuing television and film work while Lynn will keep directing. Indeed, she will be back in the fall to guest direct at the University of Illinois in Champagne Urbana. We will miss their talents and friendship and wish them all the very best.

There will be another benefit for Jan Lucas who is battling leukemia. Plan to be at Shuba’s on Thursday, Aug. 18 for an 8pm concert featuring Jan, husband Tim Grimm and many friends including Chris Walz from the Old Town School of Music and Laura Hall of “Whose Line is it Anyway.” They will be followed at 9:15 by the New Invaders. This fully catered (and that includes food) event asks a $30 suggested donation. A great night for a great lady.

 And we note a sad passing. Robert M. Kidder died at 81. He was the owner of RMK Enterprises and was signator/paymaster through SAG and AFTRA. For the last 14 years, any actor in town who appeared in a union industrial or voice-over may have had Mr. Kidder’s name on their checks and W-2 forms. Previously Mr.Kidder worked with actors and musicians for 40 years as a successful recording and mixing engineer with IATSE Studio Mechanics Local 476. He served as president, COO, and on the board of directors of Universal Recording Studios in Chicago. RMK Enterprises continues operations under the direction of his daughter, Elizabeth Kidder Becker.

Peace.

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