Local auditions
• Elgin Opera has auditions for its Second Community Outreach Summer Music Festival in the afternoons on Saturday and Sunday, April 17 and 18. Auditions are by invitation only, based upon submitted resumes and forms. A $15 fee is also required for the pianist at the time of the audition. Visit elginopera.org for more information.
• The Chicago Botanic Garden hosts an amateur Garden Photo Contest through Monday, June 21. Those interested can submit one photo to be judged online by the general public. Visit chicagobotanicgarden.org/contest for more information.
• Auditions for Fox Valley Youth Symphony Orchestras are from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 17, at Our Savior Lutheran Church, 420 W. Downer Place, Aurora (other audition times available by appointment). Positions are open for string, woodwind, brass and percussion students. Visit fvyso.org or call (630) 879-8018.
• St. James Community Theatre Players have auditions for girls ages 14 and under for the musical "Annie" from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, April 18. All other auditions are from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, April 20, at 820 N. Arlington Heights Road, Arlington Heights. Visit stjamestheatre.org for more information.
• Janus Theatre Company has open auditions for its first Elgin Short Play Festival, which features works of Theresa Rebeck, at 7 p.m. Monday, April 19, at the Elgin Art Showcase, 164 Division St., Elgin. For more information visit janustheatre.wordpress.com.
• Noble Fool Theatricals has auditions for its Youth Ensemble's production of "The Wizard of Oz." Kids and teenagers ages 6 to 19 audition from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 1, and from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday, May 3, at Pheasant Run Resort's Preservation Hall, 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles. Those interested should prepare 16 bars of a song and a one-minute monologue. Call (630) 443-0438 or visit noblefool.org.
• Independent Exposure 2010 seeks international short films, videos and digital works for a competition judged by Microcinema International and animator Bill Plympton. Submission deadline is Friday, April 30. Visit independentexposure.com.
• Guitar Center locations nationwide are seeking "The Great Undiscovered Blues Guitar Player" in the fourth annual competition. Local competitions begin Thursday, May 13. For more information, visit guitarcenter.com.
• Hondo Entertainment hosts the weeklong Showdown and Shootout Rock Contest in the Chicago area from Sunday, May 2, through Thursday, May 6, with a finale at the Montrose Room at the Intercontinental O'Hare Hotel, 5300 N. River Road, Rosemont. Visit showdownshootout.com for more information.
• The Glenview Art League invites artists of original fine art to exhibit in the 57th annual juried 2010 Outdoor Art Fair held on Saturday and Sunday, July 24 and 25. Entry fee is $175 plus a $10 jury fee. The deadline is Monday, May 17. Call (847) 724-4007 or visit glenviewartleague.org for more information.
• Performing artists who want to be a part of a fundraiser for Esperanza School (which helps students with disabilities) at Summerfest are invited to sign up by Thursday, June 17. Call (312) 243-6097 for more information.
• Illinois artists are invited to submit applications to the Illinois Artisans Program. Submission deadline is Friday, Sept. 10. Visit museum.state.il.us/artisans.