Just checked to see if it still exists. Keke Palmer said this was her first acting agency and they got her her first gig in the barber shop 2. Or someone who worked there did. I'm guessing it isn't a business anymore. Or at the very least they haven't updated their yelp in years lol. read more

Maybe they USED to be a good agency before they just piled and piled on new talents than they can handle. I was originally recommended this place by one of my dance coaches. However he is MUCH older and was signed with Baker and Rowley A LOOONGGG time ago... I sent my resume and pictures and got a call to come in. I performed skits and a song and they said they could sign me right there. I know you're not supposed to pay an agency and upfront fees. But, I did because I thought they were legit. I payed a heavy amount because they said they would put my pictures in both the under 18 page and the 18 and up page on their website... It's been almost SIX MONTHS and my photos ARE NOT ON THE WEBSITE. I've contacted the agency many times, including Diane Rowley herself... They keep coming up with BS excuses... I still want my money back. Plus, their office is VERY UNPROFESSIONAL. They obviously have way more people than they can handle. There's filing cabinets that could reach the sky filled with millions of folders for different people... They don't have the time to actually pay attention to any of their clients. I WANT MY MONEY BACK. DON'T FALL FOR THIS UNPROFESSIONAL AGENCY. read more

Baker and Rowley are a scam. A real Talen Agent will NEVER ask for money and if they do you should turn around and walk out the door. I and a few other actors I know have had to learn the hard way. We were all new to Chicago and had never dealt with agents before. This is what Baker and Rowley bets on. Of course we were so excited to be selected by an agency that we forked over our cash for our first shot at professional gigs. Did the phone ring with auditions? Absolutely not. Did I ever hear from Baker and Rowley again? No. A very expensive lesson learned. read more

DONT GO HERE!!! As a child I had worked with several acting schools and talent agencies so I would hear about this agency every now and then. In college I worked at several reputable agencies as well so of course when I grew up and had a kid of my own, I thought why not, they've been around for this long it HAS to be reputable. I think they even say they are union-affiliated so I just assumed it would be a good idea. I submitted my daughters pics to several agencies and BR was the first to respond. They wanted us to bring her in for an "audition" (that basically meant that one of the agents would pick her up and see if she cried). When we got there, we saw a beautiful young girl being "auditioned" by one of the agents, a.k.a. paying money and humoring the parents by looking at this poor girl's headshots. While waiting, we looked around at their "brag board" of kids that were booked...all the photos were from the 90's! After they finished collecting the money from that girl, they went on to talk to us. My daughter supposedly "passed" so they wanted to sign her. We had to wait again while more new talent came in to pay their cash. Finally we paid our money, and we were made to fill out a tax form for our daughter which I now think is weird since we've gone through other agencies and they never had us do this. They asked us to submit two pics of my daughter and they posted her pic up on what looked like a generic site. Each kid is assigned a serial number and potential clients can pick and choose directly from there. It's really weird, kind of like a store setup. My daughters pic came out really dark but I didnt bother to have them fix it. by this point I just counted my losses and learned from my mistakes. After a year, I NEVER heard back from them. Not even to have me update her portfolio. I never heard back from them when her work permit was expiring. In fact, they state in one of their handouts to the parents that if our children arent being booked or bein sent out on auditions that it's our fault for not providing them with enough pictures. Whatever, my daughter eventually got signed at Stewart and we've been so happy ever since. Don't pay for anything when it comes to that stuff, even if they try to make it just a small amount for "computer expenses". i've never had to pay anything at Stewart and my daughter's been on so many things with them and we have the best relationship with her agent! read more

If I could give this "talent agency" zero stars and still write the review, I would! As an actress and promotional model, I thought I had enough sense not to be taken in by a scam artist. I guess I did not. Diane Rowley signed me in 2009, and I booked a job immediately. This made me feel quite comfortable with her representation. Man was I WRONG! I worked a job in September 2009, and it is now July 16, 2011, and after many, many emails, and voicemail messages to her, have still not gotten paid. When I finally received an email from her, in response to a threat by me (legal action), she blamed ME for not registering properly. She said I never contacted her. I informed this criminal that I had copies of emails about an inch thick that I had sent her. After that, she told me via email that I would receive my paycheck when she cut checks on June 10, 2011. As I previously stated, it is July 16, 2011, and I have yet to receive my money. Also, this woman has moved her office many times in the past few years, which is also a sign of her not being able to pay her rent, or she's running away from something. This woman is a criminal in my opinion, and no person should believe her B.S. I have filed complaints with the Better Business Bureau, The Attorney General, and will file a law suit to get my paycheck. It is not that I can't live without the several hundred dollars she owes me, I just want her to live up to her obligations. NEVER TRUST DIANE ROWLEY at Baker and Rowley Talent!!!! You'll be sorry!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! read more

I heard they were reputable. I was stoked when both my kids were "accepted" with the agency. I was taken aback when told that $170 fee would need to be paid to have my kid's pictures appear on the website. Even more so when I paid the fee over two months ago and have yet to see their photos show up ANYWHERE on the above named site. I am being told this was a mistake and is being rectified. The agents were nice and have been throughout this whole process. I came via referral from a friend, whose child has booked thru this particular agency, so we know it's not a scam. I do believe it was an honest mistake. I will post a follow up if and when they're photos appear on the site. read more

This agency is legit yes, but they are a scam... I signed with them in 2010 and it took 4 months to get my picture on the site and then they had the nerve to blame me saying I never emailed them some crap they never asked me to email. Then they still didnt put the picture up after that. Eventually it got up there but they never called and then they said I needed to call in and check up more often. They have way to much talent to focus on helping anyone . They were probably good in the 90s but they are busted now! read more

This agency is a scam. A legit agency will NEVER as you for money upfront. It always comes out of a job you book.

It seems as if everyone is having the same problem with this agency as I have had. I paid the "fee" for their website and sent information to their "webmaster." My photos are still not on their site (after almost 2 years) and a friend of mine who is not represented by them anymore due to negligence, still has her photo and resume posted on their website and has not been with them since 2009. They have called me and emailed me numerous times saying they 'don't have my information." After a year and more excuses when they said they did not have my information, I said "You obviously have my phone number since you are calling me, and my email since you emailed me so I have no idea what other 'info' you need to book auditions for me. I have given you my info at least 4 times and requested that my HS and resume be posted for months." They had some excuse about changing webmasters or something and still nothing. I had 2 auditions within this time. No one respects them. All in all, something is not right with this place. Their office has changed addresses once again and when you go in, their office is almost like a hoarding nightmare, not to mention dog hair and old chewed up toys all over the place. Photos are taped and glued to poster board and haphazardly tacked to the walls. I really should've walked in and walked right out because I knew something was wrong. This has taught me to listen to my instincts and better judgment. Baker and Rowley need to wake up and close shop. They are a terrible company that I cannot even bring myself to call a 'talent agency'. Maybe when they opened years ago they were on par professional, now they are falling by the wayside and are biting off more than they can chew. They have too much 'talent', however they charge everyone and never pay when you book something. Go somewhere else and do not listen to their faulty promises! read more

The whole thing is a scam! Nice website, but no permanent address and MANY complaints on-line (about taking money to represent and NOT getting paid when you DO get work!) You should NEVER have to pay to be represented. Agencies make their money from commission on the work they get you, NOT from fees! STAY CLEAR!!! Another red-flag was that we met in the conference room of what was obviously a shared office space. The interviewer makes a big deal about how "you've got the 'look'" and "you have been ACCEPTED". It's all a front and pretense for gleaning cash from hopeful talent prospects. Ironically, I was able to get work from the casting companies they recommended, using another agency as my representative! read more

We paid this company for servics that they claimed were performed. But they were not, They also cashed checks that belonged to us. If anyone out there has received a payment (check) from this company, can you help me by providing me with their bank account information. We have sued them and have attained a judgment against them, but we need their checking account information so that we can collect. you can email me at howard@dsafactors.com. Thank You. read more

LIARS!!!!! I met with a older lady name Roberta in April 2012 to see if my child would be accepted to their agency. It was very unprofessional. She walked my child down the hall alone without me & she came back and said I will accept her. She went on explaining to me that the way that the children are chosen for jobs is off of their website & she went on the explain the fee I would have to pay if I wanted to post my child picture on BAKER & ROWLEY SITE. I paid her to post 4 of my child's pictures back in April it is now going on Sept. and my child pictures are yet to be posted. I called a few times & spoke to Diane & she promised if I re email them to her that she will get them up. Up onto the date no pictures. I see this is how they SCAM parents out of their money by getting them to purchase photo spots on their site & don't deliver the service. I visit the site regularly and it seems like there has not been any upgrade to the site since I checked it the first day. BAKER & ROWLEY are a WASTE OF YOUR VALUABLE TIME & THIEVES!!!!! read more

I wish I had found these reviews before I found Baker and Rowley. Like many of the other lovely people on here, I was taken in by the idea of actually making money doing what I moved to Chicago to do. I was young and full of dreams. I was the girl in the movie that is leaving the secluded cabin at night in high heels thinking she should investigate the strange sound on her own. NO! DON'T DO IT! DON'T GO! HOW ARE YOU SO STUPID! HAVEN'T YOU SEEN A MOVIE BEFORE?! But I thought I was different. I was not. I recited a few lines in her office and sang a line from Oklahoma while two movers gave me the side eye. She was probably moving to avoid the torch-wielding actors who had paid her to be on the site. She said she liked me and I had to pay my one-time fee to get on the website. Sure! Ok! I'm young and full of dreams and hopes and rocks, apparently. My older self is giving my younger self a pat on the head and saying, "SSShhhh, Just get your Master's and a real job. It will all be ok." I have since moved out of town and gotten a real agent in my new city. My advice to you, newbies, "DON'T LEAVE THE CABIN! THERE'S A CRAZY OLD WOMAN OUT TO KILL YOU AND TAKE YOUR MONEY!" And then, find a better agent. read more

This agency is not a reputable one! Two old ladies who tell you your kids is full of talent and pressure you into paying them on the spot to add your kid to their website. If you look at their work it is all very old jobs that they have landed. I paid the $100 for the website and then called the very next morning asking for the check not to be cashed - very long story but I was told they would send the money back but it has been 9 months and no return. I contacted the BBB and filed a complaint which Baker & Rowley never even responded to. Keep your money and don't bother paying for their rent because that is all your money will go towards. read more

I am very very very disappointed with Baker and Rowley. I have four children who signed with this agency in March. We paid the fee for all four children to have their pictures put on the website. It has now been three months and they are still not on the website. I wish I would have read these reviews before we wasted our time and money. We don't know much about this business and I feel very taken advantage of. We also don't have the kind of money to just throw away which is what I feel has happened. We don't even have our pictures on the website, I have a hard time believing they are sending our info to any casting directors. I am extremely dissapointed that my kids won't have the opportunity to experience any modeling projects this summer during our down time. I agree that the people at B and R are very friendly which is probably how I got suckered...got my hopes up for nothing. read more

This was the first agency that accepted me back in Feb. 2011 and since than they have not send me to any auditions and it is July 2011 now! You call them and they don't return the calls. You e-mail them and they don't return the e-mail. Plus, they charge you $75 for them to put your headshot online! because that's the only way they send you to auditions. They have a mess in their agency as well. Don't go there! It even smells. read more

Same situations as Lorna S....have not been paid for over a year, and have heard millions of promises and no result. So many excuses like moving the office, technical problems, computer system down, check being sent, mistakes happened, problems with the bank....seriously DO NOT EVER WORK FOR THEM!!!!!!!!!!!! I have copies of emails too and I am planing to consult with a lawyer, just because it is ridicules to scam people this way. read more

I'm a model in Chicago. I'm with a couple of agencies here and I have been with Baker & Rowley for three years. I booked four jobs with them and I have been paid for all of them. When I call them, they seem very nice, no matter how busy they are. I can't say that about all my agents. When I was on this one booking, the client told me I was booked from BR's site. Before I paid to be in agency books in Chicago for years; these were for the really big agencies, too. Now its websites. It is just part of the business. Whatever it takes to keep getting those bookings right? read more

Okay so I wish I had listened to all the posts before I went down to meet with this agency. I am lucky though that things worked out the way they did. I receved a call from the agency requesting a meeting to possibly sign my son. They gave us a 9am appointment today 6-12-12. I took off work to make sure that we would be on time. 5 minutes before the appointment, I received a call that they were running late but would be there by 9:45am. I was also asked if I had all the paperwork completed from there website. Who asks you to fill out paperwork with SS# if they haven't even seen the model? We arrived at their office (joke really since we waited on the first floor since no one was in at there office on the second floor..hmmmm) We sat and waited from 9am until 10:10am and finally got up and left. The receptionist asked if we wanted to reschedule for which I kindly declined. All I kept saying to myself is: How unprofessional to be late. If this is how they are at the initial meeting, how are they going to be representing my son. Unprofessional at its finest. All I can say is runnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn. Do not go to these people. read more

One of the worse agencies in Chicago.. To convince you to join they tell you about the talent they booked on things from past years and which one of them was Keke Palmer well the true story about Keke is she moved to LA and thats how she got her start, This agency website may look legit but its not its filled with old pictures from past talent who never been removed and they want you to always pay to update your pictures. The agency constantly changes offices and i've been with them for a year and havent been called once since signed and when you call them to ask why then they bring up some bullshit that you need to change your pictures and also they give a list of acting websites they want you to register on to look for casting calls online well this is a red flag because the websites charge you a monthly fee to be on the website. This agency is unprofessional and will scam you out of your money trust me I KNOW!!! read more