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TRACI LYNN LUTHY
Co-Founder | Commercial Director

Traci Lynn Luthy’s career began in advertising where she managed accounts for many major commercial brands. She then married her expertise in marketing and branding with her life-long love of performing arts, and embarked on a career as a talent agent. Now with 20 years of experience as an agent, Traci has booked talent in all mediums, and has developed her own unique approach to artist representation.

In 2018, Traci launched her own talent agency, Bona Fide Artists. As an African American female, it was her innate ambition to create an inclusive and collaborative agency that would spearhead a transformation in the industry with more diverse storytelling and representation.

Now co-founder and commercial director of Bonafide & Emerging Artists, Traci is the biggest fan of the talent she represents, and enjoys the teamwork, innovation and passion that they share in pursuing their dreams and breaking down traditional barriers.  

Originally from St. Louis, MO, Traci attended Xavier University of Louisiana where she graduated cum laude with a BA degree in communications. Forever influenced by her years living in her favorite city of New Orleans, Traci loves spicy food and jazz.

ALBERT BRAMANTE
Co-Founder | Theatrical Director

Albert Bramante began his career in entertainment in 2003 as a casting intern and production assistant at various film festivals including The Tribeca Film Festival, Out Film Festival and NY Latin Film Festival.  Through his time casting and organizing these festivals, Albert discovered his passion for working with actors, and mentoring younger actors who were just starting their careers.

In 2004,  Albert created Emerging Talent, which was originally a management company. A few years later in 2007, Emerging Talent transitioned into a licensed and franchised agency.

Throughout his time at Emerging Talent, Albert booked actors in dozens of feature films, TV episodics, theater productions, and print and commercial campaigns.  The goal for the agency was to create a diverse and inclusive roster of stellar talent. Albert is thrilled to now continue pursuing and achieving this goal as co-founder of Bonafide & Emerging Artists.

Albert also has a PhD in psychology and a book coming out in 2021 about actors self-sabotage and fear of success. When not working Albert enjoys reading,  binge watching, attending theater, and spending time with his family & his cats. 

With offices in NYC & the Southeast, we offer full service representation in the following areas:

  • Commercial

  • Film & TV

  • Print

  • Voice Over

  • Theater

  • Hosting & Live Events

  • Influencers

  • Kids

Spotlight on Bonafide & Emerging Artists

By Karina Shapiro

While this past year has turned the entertainment industry on its head, some people have navigated the changes with poise and an eye on opportunity. Traci Luthy, the founder and owner of what was previously Bona Fide Artists, found a way to thrive – by harnessing her strengths and partnering up because she knew that two heads are simply better than one. Traci and her longtime friend Albert, who previously headed Emerging Talent Agency, are now co-founders of what has become Bonafide & Emerging Artists, a boutique talent agency with a family feel, and a great deal of hands-on guidance.

Traci has been in the industry for over 20 years and brings a wealth of experience as well as a bright spirit to her clients. After working for several talent agencies in both New Orleans and New York, she decided to start her own company, and Bona Fide Artists took its place among the under-represented #BlackFemaleOwned Businesses. She was ready to represent the talent that she wanted to represent, and create a different experience for talent. She brings all of this to the new agency, as well, noting that, 

“I think there’s so much overlap between agents and managers and I just wanted to take that and run with it. So yes, I’m an agent. We are a licensed employment agency and I find talent work, but we’re managers too, in that we really guide our talent on all the behind-the-scenes stuff… who they should be networking with, their training, and of course their marketing materials, which are ever-evolving. And just their branding and the story that they’re telling the industry, their career goals, the roles that they’re right for, and all of those things.”

While she was already making a name for herself in the commercial space at Bona Fide, she really wanted to be full service and have someone beside her who was handling TV, theater and film.

She did not have to think too hard before calling Albert, who had been in business with Emerging Talent Agency for 12 years before the merger. Why Albert?

“He was the first call I made because I’d known him for so long and I know he’s so good at what he does. And I knew that we would work well together. Neither of us is your typical agency owner, whatever that means. I’m a minority and he’s just always been different than everyone else. Not that everyone else isn’t nice and sweet and kind and patient and all those things, but Albert’s the epitome of that. And I just liked the way he ran his business and repped his talent. I wanted to partner with someone like that, and be able to offer that to my talent. So that’s why he was my first and only call in terms of finding a partner.”

Albert was immediately convinced, and after working informally together from 2018-2020, sending each other talent for their respective specialties, a new business was born and it has been working beautifully. 

“I think we complement each other, but we both have very different styles. I like to say I’m the gas, he’s the brakes, which we both need. Someone’s got to be the aggressor, which I think is probably me, but he’s there to balance me and to keep things running smoothly. And so it works really well actually.” 

The pair have kept up with all of the worldly changes happening around us, continuing to meet talent at acting schools, seminars, panels, and classes such as those from Actors Launchpad. They have seen a record number of submissions, and rest assured that they go through each one of them with the utmost consideration – but there is no replacement for the potential dialogue that can occur when meeting talent in person for the first time.

Additionally, throughout their scouting efforts, Traci has noticed a shift on the casting side of the business, in the calls for more diverse talent, and how Casting Directors are almost begging for more options. 

“It’s great. It’s about time. It’s nice to know they’re open to that… There are so many beautiful humans in this industry… I want to rep everyone who’s talented, but because of the history of our country and even our industry, you have to push for those who haven’t been pushed before and we’re here to do that.”

Bonafide & Emerging Artists is led by two powerhouse agents, who truly go to work for their clients every day. If you are a prospective BEA client, here’s the last of what Traci has to tell you:

“What I think is different about us, is that hands-on boutique style. We like to think of ourselves as a small exclusive club, and while we would love to say yes to everybody…  from a business standpoint, that doesn’t happen. So we hope that when you’re in, you’re really in and you love it and you get this family experience that really helps your career. And that you’re a much more successful actor when you’re repped by us than you were before. That’s who we are in the industry. We’re small, but we’re mighty, and we’re family and we’re very inclusive. And yes, we actually strive to make that happen, but it also just happens naturally because of who we are as humans and owners of the company… The most important thing is that you love it here.”

If you want more information, as well as a look at their recent bookings, check out Bonafide & Emerging Artists (#BEartists) on Facebook and Instagram, or on their website, www.BEArtists.com Feel free to send submissions to contact@beartists.com.