West Loop nonprofit helps emerging artists find F.A.M.E.

Many young Chicago artists and performers who dedicate themselves to entertaining crowds with amazing talent often face financial setbacks and a lack of available educational resources that limits their potential from shining on stage.

As a solution, Lily’s Talent Agency founder Lily Liu created the nonprofit Foundation of Artists Mentored in Entertainment (F.A.M.E.) that financially supports and counsels young performers so they can fulfill their dreams in the arts. Having been immersed in the entertainment industry for more than 40 years, founding the West Loop business was a personal movement for Liu.

“At one time, many of the people on the board of directors, members and mentors have been in these artists' same shoes and have either witnessed or experienced first-hand people giving up on their dreams or getting involved in something bad in the industry,” Liu told West Loop News. “F.A.M.E. is here to try to help and educate artists who are passionate about their craft but may need a boost to help them get started in this profession.”

Lily Liu (center) and the F.A.M.E. Board of Directors

F.A.M.E. issued its first award in 2012, and since then the organization has given artists a total of $20,000 in funding and linked them with over 40 professionals in the industry for mentorship and guidance in building a career. Artists are selected for F.A.M.E. through an open-call audition process that starts in October and ends the following April each year. Each actor, singer or dancer that applies must go through two initial auditions before being invited to a callback audition in March, if accepted.

From there, 10 finalists are chosen to be paired with a professional mentor with whom they will spend time preparing and rehearsing their act for F.A.M.E.’s annual Dinner Dance Gala.

At the Gala, the artists are judged by successful singers, dancers and entrepreneurs on their performances. One singer, one dancer and one actor are selected as winners through the audience vote, the judges’ votes and the board of directors' vote to receive the grand cash prize of the funds donated to F.A.M.E. each year (it has never been less than $1,500).

Additional prizes include acting classes, a gift certificate for a dermatology consultation and services, and a private consultation with Lily Liu’s Talent Agency. The chosen finalists receive free headshots, resume consultations and access to any F.A.M.E. mentors during the audition process.

Liu first conceived of F.A.M.E in 2005 after her friend, a talented musician, was forced to quit his dream in the arts and sell his music equipment in order to financially support his family. Once F.A.M.E. secured its Not For Profit, 501 (C)(3) status in August 2010, Liu was ready to bring more young artists into the spotlight with the motto, “If you see it, you can be it.”

“Being an independent artist is like running your own one-person business,” Liu said. “An artist not only creates their work, but they also have to manage themselves for a large portion of their career in the beginning until they can gain some standing, and it’s that artist . . . who could use a little extra help breaking through, who F.A.M.E is seeking to help.”

For the past five years, F.A.M.E. has been offering acting classes taught by actress and film coach Brenda Pickleman, known for her onscreen roles in films such as “Groundhog Day” and “Unconditional Love.” Pickleman approached Liu and offered to educate young actors who may be unable to afford more prestigious acting schools. These classes expand on the student’s overall acting and interviewing skills.

Actors not affiliated with F.A.M.E. are also able to attend the classes at a discounted rate to enhance their skills with lessons from Pickleman.

The organization also hosts two fundraising events every year. In the fall, members of the public have the chance to watch performances from past Gala winners for their “Bubble and Brunch” event at the Chicago Yacht Club. Liu said the event has sold out to 120 attendees for the past three years.

Each spring, F.A.M.E. puts together another gala with raffles, silent auctions and performances from past F.A.M.E. artists still performing in the industry, and sells out to around 150 guests. This year, Chicago native, three-time Emmy Award winning artist and F.A.M.E. mentor Scott Gryder will treat the audience with a special performance.

F.A.M.E. thrives off establishing professional relationships with other local agencies. Although the group is a separate entity from Lily’s Talent Agency, F.A.M.E. shares office space with the agency and collaborates closely with their staff to recommend artists or offer expert advice. F.A.M.E. also supports artists from the Merit School of Music, where their Gala was formerly held.

Liu says that F.A.M.E. is passionate about growing and accepting more performers each year because the challenges young artists face can become insurmountable.

“I think that is because when you are a young artist just starting out, you do not know exactly what to do,” Liu said. “You might have grown up your whole life going to dance class working on your craft, but there was not a class on how to audition, how to carry yourself so that people notice and remember you in your audition, how to read your first contract, or who to trust in this industry. We are trying to fill this void and help those starting out get some answers to these types of questions.”

Liu aspires to have more West Loop residents attend F.A.M.E. events to show support and appreciation for the young artists living in the area.

“People who have attended our events always rave to us about the talent level of who performs at the events we host,” Liu said. “Where else can you see quality live acting, singing and dancing in a smoke-free, family-friendly venue? Our events are not just for patrons of the arts, our events are for anyone who likes to try and see the next big thing.”