Marbles Kids Management Incorporated

I know it is an industry taboo to speak negatively of one's agency, but I feel compelled to warn talent interested in this agency about what they will experience.
I signed with Marbles Talent in October 2011, I never had an agency but was already SAG eligible and wanted to further my career opportunities. The first thing offered after signing was the couple hundred dollar fee for classes they offered-"resume builders"-and another heavy fee for headshots. (You could get the disc with all of your photos...for another fee). This should've been a warning from the beginning, first of all ANY agency that is asking for your money is NOT an agency you want to affiliate yourself with. It is a scam. There is no sugar-coating their practices. Secondly, Marbles Talent will sign anyone. Your talent is not important to them, but your money always is.

I've gotten a total of 3 auditions from Marbles Talent in 2 years. One audition was for a TV series that I could've found on my own on ActorsAccess.com. After that, they offered to make me a copy of my audition, FOR $20. The second audition was an audition for Disney. I was so excited, I prepared my audition to death. My audition went VERY well, I thought that my tape, and the tapes of others who auditioned, would be sent for consideration for Disney shows. That was the thinking of a very hopeful, but naïve actress. This Disney audition didn't mean anything. The lady in charge of auditions WORKED for Disney, but doesn't necessarily have any influence on casting for them anymore. Apparently, these "Disney" auditions happen all the time. What a waste of time and energy. My third, and last, audition was for an infomercial starring teens and adults. I say this in a completely non-hyperbolic sense, EVERYONE apart of Marbles and Lincoln Talent was invited to audition. My mother and I waited for around 2 hours after our scheduled time to actually go in and audition. Again, what a waste.

On a job I found (ON MY OWN), I met 2 members of Marbles and Lincoln Talent on set. They were very friendly and had nothing negative to say about this agency. The woman is actually friends with Karen Lincoln and the teenage girl was friends with Karen Lincoln's daughter. They got the audition for this project through their, I mean OUR agency. Marbles Talent sends out plenty of emails offering their $300 acting classes (A "discount") and even offers workshops that will give you IMDB credit. You earn IMDB credit by WORKING in the acting world. But these people are selling you IMDB credit. Anyone who has any faith in their talent would go out and work for their credit, it would add many more projects to your profile anyway! Ultimately, those who pay for their classes and their workshops consequently get more auditions. Isn't paying for work a little counterproductive?

I had IMDB cred and SAG eligibility before joining Marbles. You can, too. Go out and find work on your own. If you can, find a DECENT non-scam like agency. If you want to join Marbles/Lincoln Talent, my only advice would be to RUN and save your money.

We have had a great experience with Marbles so far. We met with Wendy for the first time yesterday morning to get started. She answered all of my questions via email and phone before meeting with her. I know another family who worked with Marbles for many years and had a great experience as well.

Marbles has been a great experience for my 3 children. They have been with Marbles for 2 years. They have been on numerous auditions and participated in 2 movies. Marbles preps kids for auditions by training them and having professional modeling photos taken. Whether or not your child gets the job is up to the directors. Marbles puts your children up and then it is the decision of the client whether or not your child is chosen. As a former owner of a staffing company, I know first hand that not everyone is chosen all the time and Marbles does it's best to send the kids where they are most likely to succeed. Marbles is a class act and highly ethical.

We have been very happy with Karen and her staff at Marbles! They are very professional and work hard to get the kids head shots and resumes into the hands of those doing the casting. Once that happens it's out of their hands. If you only go on a few auditions..it's not necessarily anyone's fault; just not what the casting directors were looking for. Best representation in Denver!!

I paid $800 for virtually nothing back. $400 portfolio and $400 in recommended classes. In return, we got 2 calls in over one year. One was for a print ad. This open call was listed online and open to the public. Second was another open call and hundreds showed up, including the owner and her daughter. Not exactly one on one attention!! Don't waste your time!! Seems like the only ones who do well are those in the 'in clique' and friendly with the owner. Guess we weren't popular enough