Being the life of the party

Making sure guests have a good time -- that's what it's all about.
By ANABELLE De GALE
KNIGHT RIDDER NEWSPAPERS
NOW HIRING: Party decorations. Apply in person. Bring agent and head shot.
Their job is to be the life of the party. Work the crowd, provocatively shake their moneymakers and get others to follow. And -- at all costs -- prevent the fete from heading south to Boredom City.
They are the party motivators. You'll find them at private soirees, nightclubs and special events. And the better they look, the better the host looks.
"It's just as important as good lighting," said Ocean Drive's Lana Bernstein, who helps plan the magazine's famed annual anniversary party. "Some parties pour confetti. Some have centerpieces. It's the difference between a nice party and a party people won't forget."
Meet the average staffer: young, hard-bodied and generally a real looker. Most are models, aspiring actresses or dancers who say they are not in it for the cash. It's all about the job benefits -- like being guests on the A-list.
"You're always hoping to get discovered," said Heather Staton, a Fort Lauderdale, Fla., flight attendant and model with ARK talent agency. "The kind of people at these parties are the ones who could make your career."
Birthday bash
Last week, the 24-year-old was one of about 50 women to respond to a casting call, requesting "females between 18-26, very outgoing, beautiful and great with people. They will be expected to dance on elevated points around the pool and occasionally jump in and encourage other guests to do the same."
The position: "Sexy Girl." The gig: Clayton Clavette's birthday bash.
The real estate broker and developer, who was mum on how old he's turning, wanted 10 women to keep his 200-person shindig swinging.
"I'm looking to create an atmosphere and not just chit-chat party. They are there to be the cheerleaders," Clavette said.
"It's like when you're in grade school and you play spin the bottle. Fast forward a few years. Same concept. They create that wild and crazy mood."
Hopefuls at Clavette's tryouts last week posed for Polaroids and filled out job applications.
The questions were the usual: name, address, e-mail, home phone, bust size.
The pay: $125.
"I've never turned down a good opportunity," said 23-year-old Billi Davis, a veteran of the party circuit. "It's about networking."
The auditioners came from as far as Boca Raton, Fla., to try out in the backyard of a waterfront Palm Island, Fla., home belonging to a friend of the birthday boy. The women were asked to dance around for a couple of minutes, while Clavette videotaped them and a few of his friends judged their talent.
In the clubs
"We're looking for attitude," said judge Juan-Carlos Digon, an owner of Quench nightclub in Coconut Grove, a suburb of Miami. "We're looking for presence."
The trend of trading party favors and props for professional party motivators has spread to clubs across Miami Beach, Fla.
Among them: Crobar Miami.
You'll find party motivators working it every night at the South Beach, Fla., hot spot. Some are in costumes and big hair pieces. Others wear not much more than body paint.
They dance, perform and walk around, interacting with the clubgoers.
"It's visual entertainment," said Crobar partner and club promoter Tony Guerra, who pays his hires between $100 and $300 a night. "It's all about driving energy. There is a crucial time during the night when you need animation. It will make or break your night. When the customers arrive in the club, they get the visual effect."
Whatever happened to potted plants?