Suzanne's A-Plus Talent

Suzanne's A-Plus Talent was a well-regarded Chicago talent agency founded by Suzanne Johnson that built a strong reputation in the local market for modeling and talent representation over many years of operation. The agency was particularly known for its runway modeling division and its welcoming, supportive atmosphere that made actors and models at various career stages feel valued and personally attended to. Suzanne Johnson established the agency as a respected name in Chicago's entertainment industry through decades of relationship-building with casting directors, advertising agencies, and production companies throughout the Midwest. In 1999, Suzanne's A-Plus Talent was acquired by Aria Talent, which absorbed the agency's roster, divisions, and experienced staff members including Nancy Tennecott, Katherine Tenewitz, and Bob Schroeder into its growing operation. The acquisition was significant enough to help establish Aria as a major force in Chicago's talent industry, demonstrating the value and credibility that Suzanne Johnson had built over the agency's years of operation.

The legacy of Suzanne's A-Plus Talent lives on through its integration into Aria Talent, which eventually became part of an even larger entity when Ford Models purchased Aria, creating Chicago's biggest talent agency at the time. The agency's emphasis on personal service, warm client relationships, and genuine care for the career development of its represented talent set a standard that influenced how many Chicago agencies approach the client-agent relationship. Suzanne Johnson's philosophy centered on treating every actor and model on her roster as a valued individual rather than just a name in a database, and this personal touch was frequently cited by represented talent as one of the agency's greatest strengths. The agency covered commercial, print, runway, industrial, and acting representation, providing comprehensive coverage across the categories that generate the most consistent work in the Chicago market. For actors researching Chicago's agency landscape, understanding the history of agencies like Suzanne's A-Plus provides valuable context for how the current market evolved through mergers and acquisitions that consolidated smaller agencies into larger operations.

During its years of independent operation, Suzanne's A-Plus Talent accepted submissions from actors and models through traditional channels including headshot and resume mailings, industry referrals, and periodic open calls. The agency was notably more accessible than many of its competitors, welcoming actors at various experience levels who demonstrated genuine commitment to their craft and professional development. Suzanne Johnson personally reviewed submissions and took meetings with prospective clients, evaluating not just current skill level and marketability but also potential, attitude, and work ethic. Professional headshots and a clean, well-formatted resume were expected components of any submission, as they signaled the kind of professionalism the agency valued in its represented talent. The agency's openness to developing talent at various stages of their careers made it an important entry point for actors who may not have had the extensive credits required by the most elite agencies in the market.

The working experience at Suzanne's A-Plus Talent was defined by the personal attention and responsive communication that the agency's staff provided throughout the audition and booking process. Clients received submissions for commercial, industrial, print, and acting opportunities, with agents who took the time to provide context and guidance about each audition rather than simply forwarding details. The agency's strong relationships with Chicago's advertising agencies and production companies ensured a steady flow of audition opportunities, particularly in the commercial and industrial categories that provide the most reliable work in the market. Suzanne's team was known for preparing their talent thoroughly, providing information about what casting directors were looking for and offering practical advice that helped actors present their best work in the audition room. The warm, family-like culture extended to the business side of the relationship, with agents who advocated strongly for fair compensation and professional treatment of their represented talent on every booking.

Suzanne's A-Plus Talent represented a diverse roster of actors and models spanning various age ranges, types, and experience levels, reflecting the agency's inclusive approach to talent development. The client base included established working actors with extensive commercial credits alongside newer performers who were building their professional resumes through their first agency relationship. Models on the roster ranged from runway specialists to commercial print talent, and the agency was known for representing real-people types alongside traditional model aesthetics. Both union and non-union performers found representation at the agency, with support provided for non-union actors working toward SAG-AFTRA eligibility through commercial bookings. The agency attracted talent who valued the personal, relationship-driven approach to representation and who appreciated being known by name and treated as individuals rather than numbers.

Suzanne's A-Plus Talent operated on the standard commission-only model, charging no upfront fees, registration costs, required classes, or ongoing expenses of any kind. Commission rates followed industry-standard percentages, typically 10 to 20 percent depending on the type of work, deducted only from earnings on booked projects. This ethical business model meant that the agency's financial success was directly tied to the success of its clients, creating properly aligned incentives. The personal attention and career guidance provided by the agency represented significant value relative to the standard commission rates, as clients received a level of service typically associated with boutique agencies. When the agency was acquired by Aria Talent in 1999, clients transitioned to the new representation arrangement with the same commission-based structure, ensuring continuity of the financial relationship.

While Suzanne's A-Plus Talent is no longer available as an independent representation option, the values it embodied — personal attention, genuine care for client development, accessibility, and strong industry relationships — remain the gold standard for what actors should seek in agency representation. Actors in the Chicago market today who are looking for agencies with a similar culture of warmth and personal service should explore options like ETA (Emerging Talent Agency), Lily's Talent, or other mid-tier agencies known for their supportive environments and accessibility. The former Suzanne's A-Plus staff and relationships were absorbed into Aria Talent, so actors interested in the legacy connections may find value in researching that agency's current operations and successor organizations. If you are early in your career and seeking an accessible first agency, the lesson from Suzanne's A-Plus is to prioritize the quality of the agent-client relationship over the size and prestige of the agency name. The right supportive agent who believes in your potential can be more valuable than a spot on a prestigious roster where you receive minimal attention.

Use the legacy of agencies like Suzanne's A-Plus Talent as a framework for evaluating prospective representation — ask yourself whether the agency treats you as an individual, communicates regularly and thoroughly, provides genuine career guidance, and advocates effectively on your behalf. When meeting with any agency, pay attention to how the agents interact with you during the meeting itself, as this is your best preview of the working relationship ahead. Prioritize agencies where you feel genuinely welcomed and where agents show specific interest in your unique qualities and career goals rather than giving generic pitches. Remember that the Chicago agency landscape has evolved through many mergers and acquisitions, so research the current ownership and structure of any agency you are considering to understand who will actually be handling your representation. Build relationships with multiple industry professionals — casting directors, teachers, fellow actors — because these relationships often outlast any single agency affiliation and provide continuity through the inevitable changes in the market landscape.