Reba Harris Talent
A Chicago talent agency with experience placing actors in commercial and industrial productions
Overview
Reba Harris Talent is a long-established Chicago-based talent agency with years of experience in the local entertainment and production market. The agency represents actors for commercial, industrial, and corporate video work, which together constitute significant and reliable revenue sources in the Chicago market. Reba Harris Talent operates with a practical, results-oriented approach that prioritizes getting clients booked in paid work through the consistent flow of commercial and corporate productions that drive the Midwest market. The agency's long tenure means it has weathered multiple market cycles and adapted to changes while maintaining the core client relationships that sustain its business. While it may not carry the flashy profile of larger agencies, Reba Harris Talent has earned the respect of casting directors and production clients through years of delivering professional, reliable talent.
Reba Harris Talent has carved out a reliable niche in the Chicago market by focusing on the commercial and industrial segments that provide the most consistent work for actors in the region. The agency's long-standing relationships with repeat clients — advertising agencies, corporate marketing departments, production companies, and training video producers — create a stable pipeline of booking opportunities that may not generate headlines but do generate steady income. The industrial and corporate video market in Chicago is particularly robust, fueled by the many major corporations headquartered in the metropolitan area that produce training, safety, onboarding, and promotional content requiring professional actors. Reba Harris Talent understands this market intimately and knows exactly what these clients need in terms of talent delivery, professionalism, and on-set conduct. For actors who approach their career with a business mindset and appreciate consistent work over sporadic high-profile opportunities, this agency provides real value.
How It Works
Actors interested in representation should reach out to Reba Harris Talent with professional headshots and a resume that demonstrates training and professional experience. Industry referrals from casting directors, teachers, or other professionals can be helpful in getting noticed during the submission review process. The agency tends to work with actors who have at least some foundation of training or professional experience, though the threshold may be more accessible than the most selective top-tier agencies. A clean, professional presentation in your submission materials is essential, as it signals the reliability and professionalism that the agency values highly. The agency reviews submissions and reaches out to candidates whose profiles align with current roster needs and the types of talent that its production clients most frequently request.
The working experience through Reba Harris Talent focuses primarily on commercial and industrial bookings, which follow standard casting and production protocols. Actors receive audition details, prepare and present themselves professionally, and when booked, report to set locations that may include studios, corporate offices, retail environments, medical facilities, or other practical locations throughout the Chicago area. Industrial and corporate video work has its own rhythm and requirements — actors need to be able to deliver scripted content naturally and convincingly, often working with teleprompters, corporate messaging, and specific brand guidelines. The commercial side follows more traditional casting processes with in-person auditions or self-tape submissions. Reba Harris Talent agents coordinate the booking process and provide relevant information to clients, ensuring smooth logistics and professional communication with production teams.
Who Uses It
Reba Harris Talent represents actors who share the agency's emphasis on professionalism, reliability, and consistent work output. The client base includes both SAG-AFTRA members and non-union performers working across commercial and industrial categories in the Chicago market. The actors who succeed through this agency tend to be those who treat every booking with equal professionalism regardless of size, understanding that repeat business from satisfied corporate clients is the foundation of a sustainable career in this market segment. The roster includes actors with varying levels of experience, though the agency particularly values those who have demonstrated their ability to deliver in professional production environments. Actors with a corporate or professional appearance and the ability to handle scripted material with natural delivery are particularly well-suited to the types of work the agency books most frequently.
Pricing & Plans
Reba Harris Talent operates on a commission-only basis with no upfront fees, registration costs, or ongoing charges. Standard industry commission rates apply for all booked work, typically 10 to 20 percent depending on the type of project. The financial arrangement is straightforward and transparent, with terms clearly outlined in the representation agreement. The commission-only model ensures the agency earns only when clients earn, aligning financial incentives appropriately. Industrial and corporate video rates vary by project, with some paying modest flat fees and others paying rates comparable to commercial work depending on the client and the scope of the production.
Pros & Cons
What's Great
Reba Harris Talent's established relationships with repeat production clients provide access to a steady and reliable stream of commercial and industrial booking opportunities. The agency's practical, no-nonsense approach delivers consistent results without overpromising. The long tenure in the market means deep institutional knowledge of client preferences and market dynamics. Registration is commission-only with zero financial risk. The industrial and corporate video focus provides access to a substantial and stable segment of the Chicago production market that is less subject to the boom-and-bust cycles of theatrical work.
What Could Be Better
The agency's focus on commercial and industrial work means fewer theatrical film and television opportunities compared to agencies with stronger theatrical departments. The industrial segment, while steady, typically offers lower per-day rates than national commercial campaigns or significant theatrical bookings. The agency's lower profile compared to the top-tier Chicago agencies may mean less access to the most prestigious or high-profile projects. Actors with primarily theatrical ambitions may find the agency's commercial and industrial focus limiting. The market for industrial and corporate work, while consistent, has finite growth potential and can be affected by corporate budget cycles.
Our Recommendation
Reba Harris Talent is a solid option for Chicago actors who are focused on building a reliable commercial and industrial resume and who value consistent work over occasional high-profile opportunities. The agency is particularly well-suited for actors with professional appearances and strong scripted delivery skills who are comfortable in the corporate and industrial production environment. If your primary ambition is theatrical film and television work, agencies with stronger theatrical divisions would be more appropriate targets. For actors seeking the practical, income-generating side of the business, Reba Harris Talent delivers on its promise of steady, reliable representation. The agency is a good complement to theatrical representation for actors who want to ensure consistent booking activity across all available categories.
Pro Tips
Invest in headshots that showcase a clean, professional, corporate-friendly appearance, as this is the primary look that the agency's production clients request. Develop strong cold-reading and teleprompter skills, as industrial and corporate work frequently requires delivering scripted content with natural authority and warmth. Treat every industrial and corporate booking as seriously as you would a national commercial, as these clients frequently rehire actors they have positive experiences with, and repeat bookings can become a significant and reliable income stream. Keep your wardrobe updated with professional business attire in good condition, as you will frequently need to provide your own wardrobe for corporate shoots. Build a reputation for reliability by confirming bookings promptly, arriving early, and being the easiest person on set to work with.