Movies and TV shows casting in Chicago

Written by:
Backstage
March 11, 2026
Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock
This story was produced by Backstage and reviewed and distributed by Stacker Media.

Movies and TV shows casting in Chicago

The glitz and glam of Hollywood captures attention 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 Chicago, nearby cities, and nationwide, and which roles they're looking to fill.

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La Anciana

- Project type: student film
- Roles:
--- Karina (lead, female, 6-9)
--- Diana (lead, female, 10-14)
--- Ice cream lady (supporting, female, 55-78)
- Roles pay up to: $175
- Casting locations: Chicago
- Learn more about the student film here

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Meta Ray-Bans Spec/Short

- Project type: short film
- Roles:
--- The Protagonist (lead, male, 20-35)
--- Tony (Mob Boss) (supporting, male, 35-55)
--- The Shooter (supporting, male, 25-38)
- Roles pay up to: $400
- Casting locations: Chicago
- Learn more about the short film here

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KinoMasterskaya // Shutterstock

'Your Audience'

- Project type: student film
- Roles:
--- John (supporting, 30+)
- Roles pay up to: $125
- Casting locations: Chicago
- Learn more about the student film here

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Grusho Anna // Shutterstock

A Windy City Western

- Project type: short film
- Roles:
--- Western Extras (background / extra, 21-39)
--- The Drunk Woman (supporting, female, 30-35)
--- Man With The Unibrow (supporting, male, 28-45)
- Casting locations: Chicago
- Learn more about the short film here

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Grusho Anna // Shutterstock

'Where Scriptures Breathe!'

- Project type: feature film
- Roles:
--- Teen Extras (background / extra, all genders, 13-22)
--- Parent Extras (background / extra, all genders, 18+)
- Casting locations: Chicago
- Learn more about the feature film here

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Grusho Anna // Shutterstock

Horror Feature Film

- Project type: feature film
- Roles:
--- Joshua (lead, male, 18-35)
--- Katherine (lead, female, 18-35)
- Casting locations: Chicago
- Learn more about the feature film here

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Grusho Anna // Shutterstock

'Umbrella Amaryllis'

- Project type: short film
- Roles:
--- Mary/Amaryllis (lead, female, 20-45)
--- First Agent (supporting, female, 20-45)
--- Second Agent (supporting, female, 18-45)
- Roles pay up to: $240
- Casting locations: Chicago
- Learn more about the short film here

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Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock

'Mini Adventures With Strangers,' YouTube Series

- Project type: scripted show
- Roles:
--- Host/On‑Camera Personality (real people, all genders, 18+)
- Roles pay up to: $200
- Casting: nationwide
- Learn more about the scripted show here

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'Painted with L.O.V.E.'

- Project type: feature film
- Roles:
--- Lilly (lead, female, 22-30)
--- Patrick Jones (lead, 25-35)
--- Lois (supporting, female, 22-30)
- Roles pay up to: $10,000
- Casting: nationwide
- Learn more about the feature film here

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NASCAR x Coronado Promo

- Project type: scripted show
- Roles:
--- Pilot 1 (Rowdy) (supporting, male, 30-45)
--- Pilot 2 (Peaches) (supporting, female, 25-40)
--- Pilot 3 ('Stache) (supporting, male, 21-30)
- Roles pay up to: $6,000
- Casting: nationwide
- Learn more about the scripted show here

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CLOUT CHASERS: THE VIRAL HOUSE Streaming on Room 808 TV

- Project type: reality TV
- Roles:
--- Host (models, female, 18-40)
- Roles pay up to: $25,000
- Casting: nationwide
- Learn more about the reality TV show here

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Grusho Anna // Shutterstock

'The Lost Healer'

- Project type: feature film
- Roles:
--- The Marksman (supporting, male, 35-45)
--- Captain Malryn (supporting, male, 32-45)
--- King Ardan (supporting, male, 25-35)
- Roles pay up to: $3,000
- Casting: nationwide
- Learn more about the feature film here

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Grusho Anna // Shutterstock

Cumberland feature film

- Project type: feature film
- Roles:
--- Joey (supporting, male, 48-63)
- Roles pay up to: $200
- Casting: nationwide
- Learn more about the feature film here

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Tikkyshop // Shutterstock

Angel's Trumpet

- Project type: feature film
- Roles:
--- Sam (lead, male, 9-15)
--- Remi (lead, male, 9-15)
--- Gabby (lead, female, 9-15)
- Casting: nationwide
- Learn more about the feature film here

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