Movies and TV shows casting in Illinois

Written by:
July 16, 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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'This Is My Body'

- Project type: short film
- Roles:
--- Documentary Subject (lead, female, gender-nonconforming, non-binary, trans female, trans male, 21-100)
--- Intimacy Coordinator (crew)
--- Second Camera Op (crew)
- Average hourly rate: $100
- Casting locations: Chicago
- Learn more about the short film here

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'Grass'

- Project type: short film
- Roles:
--- Mother (supporting, female, 35-60)
--- Baxter (lead, male, 8-15)
--- Grandpa (lead, male, 65-100)
- Average hourly rate: $25
- Casting locations: Chicago
- Learn more about the short film here

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'Assassin League Episode II'

- Project type: short film
- Roles:
--- James (lead, male, 21-31)
--- Production Assistant (crew)
--- Lead Stunt Performer (other, male, 18-30)
- Average hourly rate: $83
- Casting locations: Chicago
- Learn more about the short film here

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'Psychological Horror Dark Fantasy Film'

- Project type: feature film
- Roles:
--- Julian (supporting, male, 18-24)
--- Reina (lead, female, 18-24)
- Average hourly rate: $25
- Casting locations: Chicago
- Learn more about the feature 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)
- Average hourly rate: $36
- Casting locations: Chicago
- Learn more about the feature film here

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'Experimental Hospital Film'

- Project type: feature film
- Roles:
--- Nurse – Any Gender (supporting, 18-35)
--- Young Adult to Middle Age – Male (lead, male, 20-40)
--- Middle-Aged Adults – Male (lead, 40-60)
- Average hourly rate: $33
- Casting locations: Chicago
- Learn more about the feature film here

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'Vice'

- Project type: short film
- Roles:
--- Jennifer (lead, female, 21-35)
--- Anthony Deimos (lead, male, 21-35)
--- Charlie (lead, female, 21-35)
- Average hourly rate: $25
- Casting locations: Chicago
- Learn more about the short film here

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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

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'Alexandra'

- Project type: short film
- Roles:
--- Host (supporting, 25-40)
--- Javier (lead, male, 21-30)
--- Alexandra (lead, female, 25-30)
- Average hourly rate: $15
- Casting locations: Chicago
- Learn more about the short film here

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'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

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'Lowball'

- Project type: feature film
- Roles:
--- Max (lead, 25-35)
--- Jenna (day player, 18-30)
- Average hourly rate: $75
- Casting locations: nationwide
- Learn more about the feature film here

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'Nyarlathotep'

- Project type: short film
- Roles:
--- Blake (lead, 18-30)
--- Quinn (lead, 30-60)
--- Cameron (lead, 18-40)
- Average hourly rate: $35
- Casting locations: Columbus, Indiana
- Learn more about the short film here

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'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

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'The Bra League'

- Project type: scripted show
- Roles:
--- Trixie Stix (lead, female, 24-36)
--- Abbey Andersen (lead, female, 23-38)
- Average hourly rate: $25
- Casting locations: Lexington, Kentucky
- Learn more about the scripted show here

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