Grusho Anna // Shutterstock
1 / 15'The Tias Are Called In'
- Project type: vertical series
- Roles:
--- Tia Gloria (supporting, female, 50-80)
- Roles pay up to: $200
- Casting locations: Chicago, IL
- Learn more about the vertical series here
Movies and TV shows casting in Illinois
The glitz and glam of Hollywood captures the attention of Americans starting from an early age. Beyond celebrities' Instagram Stories and red carpet poses, there are actors out there paying their dues and honing their craft in pursuit of a sustainable career or a fulfilling sideline. Submitting to casting calls is a big part of that journey.
Whether you're a working actor or an aspiring one, you might be curious to know which movies and TV shows are casting roles near you. Backstage compiled a list of projects casting right now in Illinois and nationwide, and which roles they're looking to fill.
Media_Photos // Shutterstock
2 / 15'El Lobo'
- Project type: student film
- Roles:
--- Miguel (lead, male, 18-27)
--- Danny (supporting, male, 18-27)
--- Dr. Richard Masterson (supporting, male, 40-65)
- Roles pay up to: $600
- Casting locations: Syracuse, NY; New York City, NY; Chicago, IL
- Learn more about the student film here
Tikkyshop // Shutterstock
3 / 15'Is That You?'
- Project type: short film
- Roles:
--- Elaine (supporting, female, 30-59)
- Roles pay up to: $125
- Casting locations: Evanston, IL; Chicago, IL
- Learn more about the short film here
Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock
4 / 15'Kate & Dio Met Online'
- Project type: short film
- Roles:
--- Dio (lead, male, 26-34)
- Roles pay up to: $300
- Casting locations: Chicago, IL
- Learn more about the short film here
Grusho Anna // Shutterstock
5 / 15'This Piano Is Haunted'
- Project type: short film
- Roles:
--- Josephine Keller (Child) (supporting, female, 6-10)
--- Andre (supporting, male, 40-60)
- Roles pay up to: $450
- Casting locations: Grand Rapids, MI; Chicago, IL; Detroit, MI; Lansing, MI; Indianapolis, IN
- Learn more about the short film here
Media_Photos // Shutterstock
6 / 15'Love Jones'
- Project type: student film
- Roles:
--- Norlan (lead, male, 33-45)
- Roles pay up to: $110
- Casting locations: Lansing, IL; Chicago, IL
- Learn more about the student film here
Grusho Anna // Shutterstock
7 / 15'Hide and Seek'
- Project type: student film
- Roles:
--- Stacey-Anne (supporting, female, 25-45)
--- Chevelle (lead, female, 25-45)
--- ICE Agent (lead, all genders, 25-60)
- Roles pay up to: $100
- Casting locations: Auditions: Jun 24, 2026 in Chicago, IL
- Learn more about the student film here
Grusho Anna // Shutterstock
8 / 15Stand-Up Comedy Special, Paid Audience
- Project type: reality TV
- Roles:
--- Stand-Up Comedy Audience (background / extra, all genders, 21-35)
- Roles pay up to: $40
- Casting locations: Chicago, IL
- Learn more about the reality TV show here
Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock
9 / 15'Austin'
- Project type: short film
- Roles:
--- Male, 9–12 (supporting, male, 9-12)
--- Male, 40–50 (supporting, male, 40-50)
--- Female, 25–35 (supporting, female, 25-35)
- Roles pay up to: $500
- Casting locations: Chicago, IL
- Learn more about the short film here
muratart // Shutterstock
10 / 15'Pride and Joy'
- Project type: short film
- Roles:
--- Adam (lead, male, 9-12)
- Roles pay up to: $300
- Casting locations: Wheaton, IL; Chicago, IL; Naperville, IL
- Learn more about the short film here
Media_Photos // Shutterstock
11 / 15New Dating Show
- Project type: reality TV
- Roles:
--- Singles With A Secret (real people, 21-37)
- Casting locations: nationwide
- Learn more about the reality TV show here
guruXOX // Shutterstock
12 / 15New Dating Show
- Project type: reality TV
- Roles:
--- Singles With A Secret (real people, 21-37)
- Casting locations: nationwide
- Learn more about the reality TV show here
KinoMasterskaya // Shutterstock
13 / 15New Dating Show
- Project type: reality TV
- Roles:
--- Singles With A Secret (real people, 21-37)
- Casting locations: nationwide
- Learn more about the reality TV show here
Dpongvit // Shutterstock
14 / 15'The Dade Massacre'
- Project type: feature film
- Roles:
--- Major Francis L. Dade (lead, male, 40-50)
--- Osceola (lead, male, 28-35)
--- Private Ransom Clark (lead, male, 22-30)
- Roles pay up to: $1,500
- Casting locations: nationwide
- Learn more about the feature film here
Grusho Anna // Shutterstock
15 / 15Untitled Friendship Feature Film
- Project type: feature film
- Roles:
--- Young Sara (lead, female, 6-12)
--- Young Sarah (lead, female, 6-12)
- Roles pay up to: $1,514
- Casting locations: nationwide
- Learn more about the feature film here
