Local auditions

• Impress These Apes, a comedy talent competition, returns for 2009 this autumn. Applications are now being accepted through Friday, July 10. For more information, visit impresstheseapes.com.

• The Irish American Heritage Center's Irish Fest is holding a children's singing contest for kids ages 12 and younger (Clovers) and teenagers between the ages of 13 and 18 (Shamrocks). Preliminary auditions are at 2 p.m. Saturday, July 11, with a sing-off at 2 p.m. Sunday, July 12. Advance registration is required, and forms must be submitted by noon Saturday, July 11. Visit irishfestchicago.com or call (773) 282-7035.

• The deadline for Moraine Hills State Park's 12th Annual Nature Photo Contest is Sunday, July 12. Visit friendsofmorainehillsstatepark.org for more information on the six contest categories and the rules for amateur entrants. Call (815) 344-1294 for more information.

• Janus Theatre has auditions for its October production of Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet" from 7 to 10 p.m. Tuesday, July 14, at the Elgin Art Showcase, 164 Division St., eighth floor, Elgin. Auditions consist of cold readings from the script and are by appointment only. Visit janustheatre.wordpress.com for more information.

• Bravo TV is casting visual artists for its latest competition reality series, now under the working title of "The Untitled Art Project." The local casting call is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, July 16, in the seventh-floor Sullivan Galleries of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, 33 S. State St., Chicago. Visit bravotv.com/casting for more information, or saic.edu for more information on the venue.

• Marklund seeks bands of any type of music to participate in its 3rd annual Music Fest with "Battle of the Bands." The deadline for entry is Monday, July 20. There are two divisions: Ages 18 and under and ages 18 and older. There is a registration fee of $20. Call (630) 593-5473 for more information.

• Albright Theatre Company has auditions for a September production of "Thumbs" at 7:30 p.m. Sunday and Monday, July 19 and 20, at the Batavia Government Center, 100 N. Island Ave., Batavia. Auditions consist of cold readings from the script. Call (630) 406-8838 or albrighttheatre.com.

• The Savoyaries has auditions for an October production of Gilbert and Sullivan's comic operetta "Utopia, Ltd." from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Thursday, July 23; 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, July 24; and 6:30 to 9 p.m. Monday, July 27, at First Congregational Church House, 1417 Hinman Ave., Evanston. Call (773) 764-3313 to schedule an appointment.

• The Elgin Cultural Arts Commission seeks artists to participate in the second annual Alley of Art show (part of "Walkabout: Theatre On Your Feet," on three Saturdays in August). The deadline has been extended to Friday, July 31. E-mail elginarts@gmail.com.

• Highland Park Players has auditions for their October production of "The Wizard of Oz" from 7 to 10 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, Aug. 10 and 11, at West Ridge Community Center, 636 Ridge Road, Highland Park. Children and adults are encouraged to audition. Call (847) 604-4771 or visit highlandparkplayers.com for more information.

• The Curt Teich Postcard Archives at the Lake County Discovery Museum is calling for entries for its eighth biannual Postcard Art Competition and Exhibition. Artists ages 18 and older may submit original works on a 4-by-6-inch postcard. Deadline for entries is Monday, July 13. For information, call (847) 968-3381 or visit lcfpd.org.

• The American Public Transportation Association's "Dump the Pump" user-generated video submission contest runs through Thursday, Aug. 13. Go to publictransportation.org/takesusthere/contest.html for more information.

• Biodiversity Project's Great Lakes Forever program is teaming up with Budweiser to sponsor a photography contest for images capturing the majesty of the Great Lakes region. The contest runs until Friday, Aug. 14. Visit greatlakesforever.org for more information.

• Green man Theatre has auditions for Christina Calvit's stage adaptation of Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice" at 1 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 16, and at 7 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, Aug. 17 and 18, at the First United Methodist Church, 232 S. York Road, Elmhurst. Call (630) 464-2646 or visit greenmantheatre.com for more information.

• The Palatine Children's Chorus has auditions for children who will be 8 years old and older when the fall season begins on Monday, Aug. 31. Auditions are on Thursday, Aug. 27, and by appointment in room 1B of the Community Center, 250 E. Wood St., Palatine. Call (847) 705-5123 ext. 237 for more information.

• Lake County artists are invited to sell their artwork at the juried 19th Holiday Art Sale at the College of Lake County from Saturday through Tuesday, Nov. 21-24. Cost is $15 for the jury fee and $15 per table upon acceptance. The deadline is Tuesday, Sept. 8, and artists must be aged 18 or older. Call (847) 543-2405 or visit gallery.clcillinois.edu for more information.

• The 29th annual Carey Rose Winski Dance Scholarship Competition is at 11 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 4, at the Lou Conte Dance Studio, 1147 W. Jackson Blvd., Chicago. The competition is open to any U.S. dancer between the ages of 13 and 18. Competitors participate in a one-hour classical warmup class and perform two three-minute solos in classical ballet and a modern style (no tap). For more information, write to the Carey Rose Winski Memorial Foundation Inc., 69 Woodley Road, Winnetka, IL. 60093.

• The 13th Annual Scotch Brand Most Gifted Wrapper Contest seeks entrants for its contest, held on Friday, Dec. 4, in New York City at Rockefeller Center. Visit ScotchBrand.com for more information and a set of rules and requirements.