Local tryouts & auditions
• 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 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.
• Elgin Community College has auditions for the Stephen Sondheim/George Furth Broadway musical "Company" from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, May 7, and from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 8, in rooms 284D and 285D of the Visual and Performing Arts Center, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin. Those auditioning must be ages 16 and older and the roles will be cast age-appropriately if possible. Call (847) 530-3264 or visit eccartscenter.com to schedule an audition.
• Smart Bar in Chicago is holding a Fashion Design competition to grace its upcoming line of merchandise. One-color and two-color logo designs can be submitted through 6 p.m. Friday, May 7. For more information, call (773) 549-0203 or visit smartbarchicago.com for more information.
• The Fox Valley Academy of Music has auditions for the 2010-11 season of the Fox Valley Youth Symphony Orchestras, Summer Symphony and associated ensembles. Audition times are between 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 8, at Our Savior Lutheran Church, 420 W. Downer Place, Aurora. Positions for string, woodwind, brass and percussion players are available. Call (630) 879-8018 or visit fvyso.org for more information.
• Elgin Summer Theatre has auditions for its upcoming production of the Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice musical "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat." Dates for adults ages 16 and older to audition are on Tuesday and Wednesday, May 11 and 12 and Monday, May 17. Children's choir auditions for kids ages 9 to 15 are on Thursday and Saturday, May 13 and 15. For more information, call (847) 931-5904.
• Music Institute of Chicago is auditioning string players, woodwind players, brass players, percussionists, pianists and vocalists for its Youth Chamber Music programs. Youth choirs (for grades 2-5 and grades 6 and up), youth orchestras (grades 2-5, grades 5-8 and grades 7-12) and early music ensembles for baroque orchestra and madrigal singers (grades 7 and up). Auditions are noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday, May 16. Visit musicinst.org or call (847) 905-1500 ext. 180 for more information. Deadline for registration is Saturday, May 8.
• 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 24-25. 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.
• Highland Park Players has auditions for the 1977 Broadway musical "Annie" between 7 to 9:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 1, and on Thursday, June 3. Kids ages 7 and up audition between 7 to 8 p.m., while adults 16 and older audition from 8 to 9:30 p.m. Those interested should prepare a 16-bar song and be prepared to do cold readings from the script or dance. Visit highlandparkplayers.com 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.