Movies and TV shows casting in Illinois

Written by:
Backstage
July 9, 2025
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This story was produced by Backstage and reviewed and distributed by Stacker Media.

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, neighboring states, and nationwide, and which roles they're looking to fill.

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'Freedom of the Press'

- Project type: short film
- Roles:
--- Gunner (supporting, male, 28-50)
--- Production Assistant/Craft Services (crew)
--- Drunk Slaveholder (supporting, male, 35-65)
- Average hourly rate: $43
- Casting locations: Chicago
- Learn more about the short film here

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'Backwoods'

- Project type: short film
- Roles:
--- Lana (lead, female, 21-29)
--- Lottie (lead, female, 50-70)
--- Sam (supporting, male, 35-100)
- Average hourly rate: not available
- Casting locations: Chicago
- Learn more about the short film here

3 / 15
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'Daydreams: The Lazy One Unworthy of Living'

- Project type: feature film
- Roles:
--- Emma (supporting, female, 22-30)
--- Henry (supporting, male, 25-40)
--- Zack (supporting, male, 24-30)
- Average hourly rate: $22
- Casting locations: Chicago
- Learn more about the feature film here

4 / 15
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'The Village' TV series'

- Project type: scripted show
- Roles:
--- News Anchor / Field Reporter (supporting, 18-100)
--- Officer Aguirre (other, female, 22-45)
--- Governor Almond (other, male, 45-70)
- Average hourly rate: $20
- Casting locations: Chicago, Flossmoor
- Learn more about the scripted show here

5 / 15
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'Sh*thole'

- Project type: short film
- Roles:
--- Landlord (supporting, male, 50-70)
--- Miss Lizbeth (supporting, female, 55-85)
--- Lisa (lead, female, 35-60)
- Average hourly rate: $10
- Casting locations: Evanston, Chicago
- Learn more about the short film here

6 / 15
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'Cotton Eye Joe,' Horror Feature'

- Project type: feature film
- Roles:
--- Blair (lead, female, 18-29)
--- Stu (lead, male, 18-29)
--- Cheri (supporting, female, 18-29)
- Average hourly rate: $36
- Casting locations: Chicago
- Learn more about the feature film here

7 / 15
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'The House by the Marsh'

- Project type: feature film
- Roles:
--- Matt (lead, male, 18-100)
--- Casandra Tracy (lead, female, 18-100)
--- Jen (lead, female, 18-100)
- Average hourly rate: not available
- Casting locations: Chicago
- Learn more about the feature film here

8 / 15
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'Pet Communicator'

- Project type: short film
- Roles:
--- Charlie (lead, female, 26-40)
--- Josh (supporting, male, 26-40)
--- Barry (lead, male, 30-70)
- Average hourly rate: not available
- Casting locations: Chicago
- Learn more about the short film here

9 / 15
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'Run For Your Life'

- Project type: short film
- Roles:
--- Mikey (lead, male, 20-30)
- Average hourly rate: $31
- Casting locations: Chicago
- Learn more about the short film here

10 / 15
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'The Pet Communicator'

- Project type: short film
- Roles:
--- Charlie (lead, female, 25-39)
--- Josh (lead, male, 25-39)
--- Barry (lead, male, 40-70)
- Average hourly rate: $15
- Casting locations: Chicago
- Learn more about the short film here

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'Progeny,' Lead Roles - Nationwide Casting'

- Project type: feature film
- Roles:
--- Emily Keith (lead, female, 20-35)
- Average hourly rate: $37
- Casting locations: nationwide
- Learn more about the feature film here

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'Lowball'

- Project type: feature film
- Roles:
--- Ann (supporting, female, 20-35)
--- Max (lead, 25-35)
- Average hourly rate: $75
- Casting locations: nationwide
- Learn more about the feature film here

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'Running to Greatness'

- Project type: feature film
- Roles:
--- Cousin (, male, 18-30)
--- Autumn (supporting, female, 18-100)
--- Opponent (supporting, male, 18-100)
- Average hourly rate: not available
- Casting locations: Des Moines, Iowa
- Learn more about the feature film here

14 / 15
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'Gym Humor Skits'

- Project type: short film
- Roles:
--- College Aged Actor (lead, 18-100)
- Average hourly rate: $10
- Casting locations: Saint Joseph, Missouri; Kansas City, Missouri; Joplin, Missouri
- Learn more about the short film here

15 / 15
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'Octarine'

- Project type: short film
- Roles:
--- Emma (day player, female, 10-16)
--- Eileen Rye (lead, female, 18-35)
--- Fang (lead, non-binary, 18-35)
- Average hourly rate: $56
- Casting locations: St. Louis, Missouri
- Learn more about the short film here

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