Casting Calls in Chicago
Chicago's acting economy is built on storefront theatre and improv — Steppenwolf, Goodman, Second City and iO created a performance culture that casting directors nationally still recruit from.
On the screen side, the long-running Chicago-set network dramas plus a strong commercial and industrial market keep local actors booking guest and day-player roles throughout the year.
Below are the live Chicago casting calls currently on our board.
Create a free account for Chicago notice alertsLive casting calls in Chicago (16)
- A Murder Is Announced
- Roles
- Agatha Christie mystery: Miss Marple, Letitia Blacklock, Julia & Patrick Simmons, Dora Bunner, Mitzi, Inspector Craddock, and more. Open to nonbinary actors.
- Location
- Chicago
- Project type
- Theater
- Union
- Non-Equity
- Compensation
- Unpaid
Posted Aug 20 · No deadline given
- Irving Berlin's White Christmas (Deerfield Theater)
- Roles
- Full musical ensemble of singers/dancers for the Irving Berlin holiday musical.
- Location
- Deerfield
- Project type
- Theater
- Union
- Non-Equity
- Compensation
- Unpaid
Posted Aug 20 · No deadline given
- What the Constitution Means to Me
- Roles
- Heidi, The Legionnaire/Mike
- Location
- Chicago
- Project type
- Theater
- Union
- Non-Equity
- Compensation
- Paid — $500 stipend
Posted Aug 20 · No deadline given
- A Murder Is Announced (Agatha Christie)
- Location
- Chicago, IL
- Project type
- Theater
- Compensation
- No Pay — Community (unpaid)
Posted Aug 12 · No deadline given
- Background Performers Needed for Season 5
- Roles
- Returning Background Performers - Stand-Ins, Returning Background Performers - Restaurant Front-of-House, Returning Background Performers - Kitchen Staff, New Restaurant Front-of-House Staff, New Kitchen Staff
- Location
- Chicago
- Project type
- TV Series
- Union
- Unknown
- Compensation
- Pay not stated
Posted Aug 9 · No deadline given
- Chicago Fire - August Extras & Stand-Ins
- Location
- Chicago, IL
- Project type
- TV Series
- Compensation
- Paid — $192/8 hrs (stand-in); $200/2 hrs (newborns)
Posted Aug 9 · No deadline given
- Chicago PD - Paid Extras (Ep 14002)
- Location
- Chicago, IL
- Project type
- TV Series
- Compensation
- Paid — $136.40/8 hrs (plus $35 vehicle); minors 9-15 $160/8
Posted Aug 9 · No deadline given
- Life is a Queer Cabaret! (Essential Invisible)
- Roles
- Solo Singers, diverse cast 21+ (Various, adult)
- Location
- Chicago
- Project type
- Theater
- Union
- Non-Equity
- Compensation
- Paid — $50 plus a percentage of ticket sales
Posted Jul 26 · No deadline given
- Gold: A New Musical (Concert)
- Roles
- Javier (Principal, 20s-30s), George (Principal, 50s-60s), Lady C (Principal, 50s-60s), Evelyn (Principal, 20s-30s), plus supporting and ensemble
- Location
- Chicago
- Project type
- Theater
- Union
- Non-Equity
- Compensation
- Paid — Stipend
Posted Jul 26 · No deadline given
- Church Hurt (Red Theater)
- Roles
- Faith (Lead, late 20s-early 30s), Julie (Lead, late 20s-early 30s, sings/plays), Mar (Supporting, late 20s-early 30s)
- Location
- Chicago
- Project type
- Theater
- Union
- Non-Equity
- Compensation
- Paid — $400 actors / $200 understudies
Posted Jul 26 · No deadline given
- GreatWorks Touring Theatre - 2026-27 Season
- Roles
- Adult Actors, all types (Various, adult)
- Location
- Chicago
- Project type
- Theater
- Union
- Non-Equity
- Compensation
- Paid — From $55/performance plus rehearsal stipend
Posted Jul 26 · No deadline given
- Shadows of Truth (City Lit Theater)
- Roles
- Katie (Lead, non-white she mid-30s), Mary Tatum (Supporting, she 14 played by 18+), Madeline Tatum (Supporting, she 40s), Jimmy Cardiff (Supporting, he mid-30s), Lily Mae Altman (Supporting, she 50s-60s)
- Location
- Chicago
- Project type
- Theater
- Union
- Non-Equity
- Compensation
- Paid — Principals $150 stipend plus $25/show
Posted Jul 26 · No deadline given
- Socks & Co. - World Premiere (Eclectic Full Contact Theatre)
- Roles
- Casey (Lead, woman/non-binary BIPOC 20s), Heather (Supporting, woman 20s-40s), Delivery Dan (Supporting, man BIPOC 20s-30s), Grant Saques (Supporting, man 30s-50s), Mr. Horne (Supporting, man/non-binary 30s-60s), Reginald B. Richley III (Supporting, man 30s-50s)
- Location
- Chicago
- Project type
- Theater
- Union
- Non-Equity
- Compensation
- Paid — $250 principals / $125 understudies
Posted Jul 26 · No deadline given
- Sweeney Todd - Natural Talent Productions
- Roles
- All Roles Open incl. Sweeney & Mrs. Lovett (Various, adult)
- Location
- Warrenville
- Project type
- Theater
- Union
- Non-Equity
- Compensation
- Unpaid
Posted Jul 26 · No deadline given
- Irving Berlin's White Christmas - Deerfield Theater
- Roles
- Principals & Ensemble (Various, adult and youth)
- Location
- Deerfield
- Project type
- Theater
- Union
- Non-Equity
- Compensation
- Unpaid
Posted Jul 26 · No deadline given
- Chicago Fire - Season 15 (Stand-Ins & Bar Background)
- Roles
- SI Hollis (Stand-In, African American male 20s-40s), SI G (Stand-In, Caucasian male 20s-30s), SI J (Stand-In, Caucasian male 20s-30s), Molly's Bar Background (Background, ages 20-70)
- Location
- Chicago
- Project type
- TV Series
- Union
- Non-Union
- Compensation
- Paid — $192/8 hrs plus OT
Posted Jul 26 · No deadline given
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How casting works in Chicago
Theatre first, and it matters
Chicago is one of the few markets where stage credits carry real weight with screen casting directors, because the theatre community is small enough that reputations travel. Storefront and mid-size companies audition openly and frequently, and a season of good stage work is a legitimate route into the local screen casting offices.
Improv as a casting credential
Training at Second City, iO or The Annoyance is close to standard here, and commercial casting in particular leans on improvisation in the room. Directors will often throw out the copy and ask for three alternate takes, so comfort improvising is a practical skill in this market rather than a résumé decoration.
Union norms in Illinois
The network dramas and national commercials are union, while much of the storefront theatre, industrial and corporate work is non-union. Illinois has a healthy middle: Equity's Chicago Area Theatre agreements and SAG-AFTRA's regional commercial contracts mean actors here often hold both cards eventually, but plenty work non-union for years first.
Industrials and corporate work
Chicago's corporate base makes industrial and training-video work a genuine income stream, and it is under-discussed because it is unglamorous. It pays well, it books repeatedly with the same clients, and it is generally cast from self-tape submissions with quick turnaround.
Chicago casting FAQ
Do I need an agent to audition in Chicago?
No for theatre — companies hold open auditions and general auditions annually. For commercials, industrials and the network dramas, an agent is the usual route, and Chicago agencies are notably accessible to actors with solid local stage credits.
Are there paid casting calls in Chicago?
Yes. Union television and commercial work pays scale, Equity houses pay contracted weekly rates, and the industrial market pays some of the best day rates in the city. Compensation appears on each notice below where the production listed it.
How do I find casting calls near me in Chicago?
This page holds our live Chicago-area notices, including the suburbs where much of the industrial work shoots. Create a free account for alerts, and keep an eye on company season announcements for theatre generals.
What should I bring to an audition in Chicago?
For theatre, a headshot and résumé plus two contrasting monologues you can perform cold. For commercial and screen calls, expect a self-tape or a quick in-room read where you should be ready to improvise an alternate take on the copy.
Prepare before you submit
Casting calls in other cities
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