How to Hire Entertainers: A Guide for Hiring Entertainment for Private and Company Parties

We discussed entertainment in the article “How to Plan a Banquet”. Our basic advice was to hire a talent agent who specializes only in “casuals” (one-day or night events such as weddings, Bar and Bat Mitzvahs, etc.).
fun events.

Agents can represent actors and actresses. However, unless the department handles variety acts or bands, they will not be able to help you.

Other agents only handle major attractions and celebrities. They won’t be capable of helping you find a band to play Aunt Sarah’s 50th Anniversary party.

An agent who specializes in variety entertainment can help you find a magician, band or even a name entertainer like Reba McEntire and The Temptations. Full-service agencies are those that specialize in variety entertainment.

How can you determine if an agent is competent? This is a great question because it would be foolish to ask an agent if they are competent to answer “Of Course!”

Over forty years in the entertainment industry, I have seen many people establish themselves as agents. Some succeed, others fail.

My business is a large part of the result of people who have used my services in the past or who were referred to me by someone who has.

Searching for Talent

It can be very fun to create your own entertainment. It’s always a pleasure to watch other bands, acts and attractions.

You can start by looking on the internet or in the Yellow Pages. To find the information you are looking for, use a search engine. The Yellow Pages will list listings under entertainers and party planners. You might also find listings under entertainment agencies.

You might try searching for “bands in Los Angeles” or “juggler Orange County” or something similar. You’ll be surprised at what you find.

A beautiful website does not necessarily mean the best entertainer. Many websites are not designed by entertainers. Even if it is, a beautiful website will not provide great entertainment.

Referrals from your friends could be helpful if you follow these reviewing procedures.

You can find out if entertainers are appearing for other groups in your community by looking at your local newspaper. If they do, make sure you catch them if you can. You’ll also see poor entertainment if you go to other events. It is true that you must kiss many frogs in order to find a prince. Even that is helpful if you’re observant and take note of the good and bad aspects.

Reviewing an Act/Band

You will have to review the act if you are not working with an agent. You have three options for reviewing an act: (1) you can go to the performance, (2) view a video, or (3) the act will come audition for your review.

The best way to see an act perform is under similar circumstances as your event. It doesn’t mean that people can perform in Las Vegas for a nightclub crowd, but it does not mean that they will be able perform at Gloria’s 10th Birthday party.

It is extremely time-consuming to go to live performances. You will only see a few contenders before you have to make a decision. However, the upside is the joy you’ll have.

It is a great way to learn a lot in a short time. It is unfortunate that not all acts have DVDs and videos. It would be a shame if they couldn’t provide one.

Another problem with video is the fact that many acts provide a cut version of their act. This can be misleading. An uncut version of the show is what I request when reviewing acts by video. An edited video is never acceptable for me to hire. There have been instances when an act was hired based on a powerful video only to discover that their entire show was poor.

A DVD or video of a movie guest spot, commercial, or guest spot on a TV program or show is not enough to convince you. However, this does not necessarily mean that they are capable of doing the job you need.

You can’t audition for an act unless you are an agent. You might lose literature. A demonstration may be given if you are a magician, mime or other variety act. This small segment, along with its glib pitch, can be deceiving.

Do not take chances, be certain of what you are buying.

Ask entertainers to send you his “press kit”, literature, and a DVD or tape when you speak to them on the telephone.

The majority of variety acts will have printed literature (or a complete press kit) that includes a photo, biographical data, letters of recommendation, references, or a list of past performances.

Don’t let good printed material fool you. You can usually get an idea of the level of professionalism from the materials they send to you.