
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.

'At Distance'
- Project type: short film
- Roles:
--- Jude (lead, male, 33-45)
--- Margret (supporting, female, 33-45)
--- Brock (supporting, male, 24-50)
- Average hourly rate: $12
- Casting locations: Chicago
- Learn more about the short film here

'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

'Friends of Dorothy'
- Project type: short film
- Roles:
--- Lively and Colorful Theater Goers (background extra, 18-100)
--- Friend of Dorothy (lead, 18-99)
- Average hourly rate: $20
- Casting locations: Chicago
- Learn more about the short film here

'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

'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
'Counterfeit'
- Project type: feature film
- Roles:
--- Holly's Mom (day player, female, 35-45)
--- Holly's Dad (day player, male, 35-50)
--- Connor's Dad (day player, male, 60-70)
- Average hourly rate: $30
- Casting locations: Chicago
- Learn more about the feature film here

'Max is the Sh*t'
- Project type: short film
- Roles:
--- Derrick (supporting, male, 21-28)
--- Mrs. Corcoran (supporting, female, 50-65)
--- Andy (supporting, 19-23)
- Average hourly rate: $25
- Casting locations: Chicago
- Learn more about the short film here

'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

'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

'Vertical Mini-Drama Series'
- Project type: scripted show
- Roles:
--- Will (lead, male, 25-35)
--- Sasha (lead, female, 25-35)
- Average hourly rate: $106
- Casting locations: Chicago
- Learn more about the scripted show here

'Lowball'
- Project type: feature film
- Roles:
--- Ann (supporting, female, 20-35)
--- Jenna (day player, 18-30)
--- Mary Ann (lead, 18-30)
- Average hourly rate: $75
- Casting locations: nationwide
- Learn more about the feature film here

'Unwritten'
- Project type: short film
- Roles:
--- Lily (day player, female, 8-14)
--- Stacy (supporting, female, 30-45)
--- Spencer (supporting, male, 18-22)
- Average hourly rate: $50
- Casting locations: Newport, Kentucky
- Learn more about the short film here

'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

'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