Local auditions
• Volunteers are being sought for the 76th McDonald's Thanksgiving Parade from 6 a.m. to noon on Thursday, Nov. 26, in Chicago. More than 1,300 volunteers are needed in a variety of roles: balloon handler, banner carrier, block marshal, equestrian waste removal and more. Contact the Chicago Festival Association at (312) 235-2217 or visit chicagofestivals.org.
• The Fox Valley Philharmonic, an adult community orchestra, is seeking string musicians to perform in its "Holiday Magic" concert in St. Charles. Auditions are scheduled by appointment. Visit fvyso.org or call (630) 879-8018 for more information.
• Stage Coach Players has auditions for an adaptation of Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, Oct. 19-20, at the Stage Coach Theatre, 126 S. Fifth St., DeKalb. Auditions are cold readings from the script. Call (815) 758-1940 or visit stagecoachers.com for more information.
• The Theatre of Western Springs offers its "Studio" workshops for actors ages 18 or older from Saturday, Oct. 24, through Friday, Nov. 6, at 4384 Hampton Ave., Western Springs. Anyone wishing to appear in a Theatre of Western Springs production must complete the workshop and subscribe to the company's season. The workshop is free, but registration is required. Visit theatrewesternsprings.com or call (708) 246-4043, ext. 1, for more information.
• South Suburban College's Children's Theatre Company has open auditions for Michele L. Vacca's adaptation of the classic fairy tale "Rumpelstiltskin" at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23, and at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, at the Kindig Performing Arts Center, 15800 S. State St., South Holland. Auditions are cold readings from the script. Visit learn.southsuburbancollege.edu/theatre for more information.
• Auditions for the Improv Playhouse High School and Junior North Shore Improv Ensembles begin 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 26, at The Art Center, 1957 Sheridan Road, Highland Park. Call (847) 968-4529 or visit improvplayhouse.com for more information.
• The Village Theatre Guild of Glen Ellyn has auditions for David Lindsay-Abaire's Pulitzer Prize-winning drama "Rabbit Hole" at 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 8, at the Village Theatre Guild, 3S020 Park Blvd., Glen Ellyn. Auditions are cold readings from the script. Visit theatrevillageguild.org or call (630) 469-6248 for more information.
• Nov. 10 is the postmark deadline for Polarity Ensemble Theatre's Dionysus Cup, a Festival of New Plays. Four full-length plays are to be selected for staged readings in May 2010. There are no restrictions on subject or style. Visit pettheatre.com for more details.
• Wheaton Drama has auditions for Michael Frayn's backstage farce "Noises Off" at 7 p.m. Sunday and Monday, Nov. 22 and 23, at Playhouse 111, 111 N. Hale St., Wheaton. Auditions consist of cold readings from the script. Visit wheatondrama.org or call (630) 260-1820 for more information.