Auditions

• Village Players for Youth seeks singer/actors with strong operatic vocal skills for its annual production of Humperdinck's opera "Hansel and Gretel." Audition appointments are now being taken for 6 to 10 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 29, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1. Call (708) 574-8179.

• Riverview Theatre Company has auditions for "It's a Wonderful Life-The Radio Play" at 7 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, Oct. 27-28, at Memorial Hall Civic Theatre, 10308 Main St., Richmond. Audition appointments recommended. Call (815) 354-7796 for more information.

• Elgin Opera has chorus member auditions for its production of "A Taste of Italy," performed with the New Millennium Orchestra on Thursday, Oct. 30, and Saturday, Nov. 1, at the Harold D. Rider Center, 261 Dundee Ave., Elgin. Prepare an aria or a Neapolitan song sung in Italian. Call (847) 214-8340 for more information.

• The Lyric Opera of Chicago seeks supernumeraries and actors for its 2008-09 season.

Six small male or female actors are sought to play the black-clad "Ko-Ken" to help move props and scenery for a revival of Howard Prince's production of Puccini's "Madama Butterfly." Auditions for these contracted actor positions are 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22. A child actor to play Trouble, Butterfly's three-year-old son, is also needed. Auditions for boys or girls are 5 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 25. Ten adult supernumeraries are also needed to play servants, a sailor and Butterfly's family. Auditions are at 6 p.m. Monday, Nov. 24. All "Madama Butterfly" actors must be available from Nov. 24 through Dec. 20, 2008, and Jan. 5-29, 2009.

The Lyric Opera of Chicago is also casting six principal roles for next season's new production of "The Merry Widow" directed by Gary Griffin. The character type actors must be able to sing and speak over a 74-member orchestra without amplification. Auditions for women are at 10 a.m. Monday, Oct. 27, and at noon for men. Auditions are appointment only.

All auditions at the Civic Opera House, 20 N. Wacker Drive, Chicago. Call (312) 827-3538 for more information.

• An Online Animal Photography Contest with the categories of "The Family Pet," "Wildlife: Aardvarks to Zebras" and "Adopted Pets from Kane County Animal Control" is being sponsored by the St. Charles Park District. The contest is judged by online votes from Nov. 12-19 and entries must be e-mailed by Nov. 4. Visit st-charlesparks.org for the full set of rules.

• Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Baily Clown College has open auditions at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 12, at the Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Road, Rosemont. Those auditioning must show improvisational ability, a sense of timing and be willing to travel. Those with specialty acts should bring their props, if needed. For more information and to register for auditions, call (773) 250-3203.

• The Chicago Rush arena football team holds auditions for its 2009 Adrenaline Rush Dancers on Sunday, Nov. 30, at the Stephens Convention Center, 5555 N. River Road, Rosemont. Registration begins at 8 a.m. and auditions start at 9 a.m. (expect to spend the whole day auditioning). To preregister, call (773) 243-3434 or visit chicagorush.com.

• Sponsors are sought for The Geneva Cultural Arts Commission's new benefit, "Dancing with the Geneva Stars." The benefit and competition is slated for Feb. 7, 2009 at the Eagle Brook Country Club. Call (630) 232-8313 for more information on sponsorship.