Arts agenda
Ÿ College of DuPage College Theatre holds general auditions for two summer repertory productions of the improv comedy “One, Two ... What Comes Next?” and “The Death and Life of Sneaky Fitch” from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, May 5-6, in the Studio Theatre at the McAninch Arts Center, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. No experience is required to audition for either show. For more information, call Canaday Howard at (630) 942-2137.
Ÿ ArtReach Educational Theatre and Spotlite Theatrix are holding auditions for a summer production of “Legally Blonde.” Adult actors and advanced level teenagers are sought for principal roles. This production will be rehearsed and performed as part of or Fall Teen Mentoring Workshop where adult volunteer actors will serve as performance mentors to the teens enrolled in a Teen Mentoring Project. High school and college-aged performers and student actors interested in being a part of the workshop process are also sought. There are talent and financial need-based scholarships available. For more details, call (847) 372-7798 or visit artreachspotlite.com.
Ÿ The Fox Valley Academy of Music Performance will hold auditions for student musicians between the ages of 8 to 18 on Sunday, May 6, in North Aurora. The academy’s ensembles include the Fox Valley Youth Strings, Fox Valley Academy Orchestra and the Fox Valley Philharmonic. Information about the orchestras and audition requirements may be found at fvacademy.org.
Ÿ The Guild Literary Complex seeks poets to perform and compete for a $500 prize for its annual Gwendolyn Brooks Open Mic Award. Submission deadline is 5 p.m. Saturday, May 12. Full guidelines can be found at guildcomplex.org.
Ÿ Riverview Theatre Company has auditions for its Shakespeare in the Park production of “The Merry Wives of Windsor” Monday and Tuesday, May 14-15, at the McHenry Chamber of Commerce building, 1257 N. Green St., McHenry. Those interested should prepare a one-minute monologue from any of Shakespeare’s comedies. There are parts for 13 men and 9 women. No appointment is necessary to audition and no parts have been precast. For further information regarding auditions, call (815) 245-3231, or visit wix.com/kellsangie/riverview.
Ÿ Steel Beam Theatre seeks actors aged 9 to 16 to perform in a tuition-based production of “Seussical Jr.” Auditions are from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, May 19, at 111 W. Main St., St. Charles. Those auditioning will be taught a song and readings will be from the script. Call (630) 587-8521 or steelbeamtheatre.com.
Ÿ Actors age 13 and older are invited to audition for the College of Lake County summer musical, “Sweeney Todd, The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.” Auditions are at 6:30 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday, May 21-22, in the Studio Theatre of the James Lumber Center for the Performing Arts on the Grayslake campus, 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake. Those auditioning should prepare one minute of a song from “Sweeney Todd.” A piano accompanist will be provided. Actors need only attend one night of auditions and should bring an acting resume. For more information, contact director Craig Rich at (847) 543-2567, or call the Communication Arts, Humanities and Fine Arts Division at (847) 543-2040.
Ÿ BAM Youth Theatre has auditions for Disney’s “The Little Mermaid” on Saturday, May 26. For more information on this August production, visit bamtheatre.com.
Ÿ Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestra has auditions for the 2012-13 season from Wednesday, May 30, to Sunday, June 3, at Elgin Community College, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin. Students who will begin fourth grade in the fall to college students may audition for a seat in one of the Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestra’s six ensembles. Call (847) 841-7700 or visit eyso.org for more information.
Ÿ The Geneva History Center is sponsoring its 2nd Annual Community Photo Contest. Those entering are asked to capture unique images of the community and the essence of life in Geneva. The photographs can be of a person, place or thing and must be original and taken within city limits of Geneva. A total of 25 photographs will be selected by a jury for display in the Geneva History Center’s Museum Lobby from Thursday, June 14, to Thursday, Nov. 1. The contest is sponsored in part by the Geneva Cultural Arts Commission and Fox Valley Sudden Values. Cash prizes include: first place $150, second place $100 and third place $50. Entry Deadline is 4 p.m. Friday, June 1. An entry form and all of the contest rules can be found at genevahistorycenter.org.
Ÿ Elgin Opera’s sixth annual vocal competition will be held at the Elgin Academy Campus, Kimball Street Theatre, 350 Park St., at the corner of Kimball Street and Dundee Avenue in downtown Elgin. Singers may download a PDF brochure from Elgin OPERA’s website to find out more information on the competition level divisions and cash prizes available. Registration deadline is June 1. For more information, call (847) 695-5014 or visit elginopera.org.
Ÿ Registration is under way for the 42nd Granquist Music Competition, which will be held on Saturday, June 23, at Geneva Community High School, 416 McKinley Ave., Geneva. Deadline for registration is June 1. Students are grouped by instrument, age and years of instruction and there are two levels of competition: Olympic and Concert. Visit genevachamber.com/granquist or call (630) 232-6060 for more information.
— Scott Morgan