Movies and TV Shows Casting in Illinois

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

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'My Best Friend's Funeral'

- Project type: student film
- Roles:
--- Penny (lead, female, non-binary, trans female, 18-23)
--- Leya (supporting, female, gender-nonconforming, non-binary (+1 more genders), 18-23)
--- Shana (supporting, female, gender-nonconforming, non-binary (+1 more genders), 18-23)
- Roles pay up to: $150
- Casting locations: Auditions: Feb 13, 2026 in Chicago, IL
- Learn more about the student film here

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Character-Driven/Proof of Concept Short, Hindi-Speaking Talent

- Project type: short film
- Roles:
--- Rekha (lead, female, 21-50)
- Roles pay up to: $200
- Casting locations: Chicago, IL; Palatine, IL; Naperville, IL
- Learn more about the short film here

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'Know Your Lights'

- Project type: short film
- Roles:
--- Gianna (lead, female, 8-11)
- Roles pay up to: $1,000
- Casting locations: Chicago, IL
- Learn more about the short film here

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Grusho Anna // Shutterstock

'Papa Panov's Special Christmas' Adaptation

- Project type: short film
- Roles:
--- Papa Panov (lead, male, 55+)
--- Jesus (supporting, male, 25-45)
--- Street Sweeper (day player, male, 18-30)
- Roles pay up to: $996
- Casting locations: Hobart, IN; Chicago, IL; Rockford, IL; Valparaiso, IN; Wheaton, IL
- Learn more about the short film here

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'The Space Between'

- Project type: feature film
- Roles:
--- Rick (lead, male, 35-50)
- Roles pay up to: $1,000
- Casting locations: Chicago, IL; Madison, WI; Milwaukee, WI
- Learn more about the feature film here

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'Room 238'

- Project type: student film
- Roles:
--- Henry (supporting, male, 13-17)
- Roles pay up to: $200
- Casting locations: Chicago, IL
- Learn more about the student film here

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Grusho Anna // Shutterstock

'The Goodmans'

- Project type: scripted show
- Roles:
--- Terrance (lead, male, 35-50)
--- Tax Regulator (lead, male, 40-55)
--- Sister Linda (supporting, female, 55-80)
- Casting locations: Chicago, IL
- Learn more about the scripted show here

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'Echoes'

- Project type: short film
- Roles:
--- Minerva "Miney" (lead, female, 50-68)
--- Nadine (lead, female, 30-40)
--- Dee (lead, female, 30-45)
- Roles pay up to: $150
- Casting locations: Antioch, IL; Chicago, IL; Milwaukee, WI
- Learn more about the short film here

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'Raunchy Round Up'

- Project type: student film
- Roles:
--- Valentina (lead, female, 20-27)
--- Roxy (lead, female, 20-27)
--- Geoffrey (lead, male, 20-27)
- Roles pay up to: $100
- Casting locations: Auditions: Feb 28, 2026 in Chicago, IL
- Learn more about the student film here

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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)
- Roles pay up to: $2,926
- Casting locations: Chicago, IL; New York, NY
- Learn more about the feature film here