Local auditions
• Essence magazine and SoftSheen-Carson Dark and Lovely is seeking a model to appear in its upcoming print ad. The contest winner will win a trip to New York for the photo shoot, a makeover and a $5,000 shopping spree. Entrant screenings and a panel discussion are from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, June 12, at The Wit Hotel, 201 N. State St., Chicago. Visit essence.com/darkandlovely for more information.
• "Blue Man Group" has auditions for international and national productions from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday, June 16, at the Briar Street Theatre, 3133 N. Halsted St., Chicago. Both male and female performers who are between 5'10" to 6'1" tall and willing to relocate are encouraged to audition. Solid drumming skills and improvisation experience is encouraged. For more information, visit blueman.com.
• The New Classic Singers has auditions for its select 36-member ensemble for the 2010-11 season with auditions in Glen Ellyn on Thursday, June 17, and Saturday, June 26. Call (630) 942-2552 or e-mail lrk@newclassicsingers.org for an audition appointment.
• The Fox Valley Theatre Company has auditions for the Broadway musical "Hairspray" from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 26, and from 6 to 9 p.m. Monday, June 28, at Elgin Community College's Visual and Performing Arts Center, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin. Students entering their freshman year of high school to age 21 can audition. For more information and to register, visit cteelgin.com.
• The Burr Ridge Village Center is seeking artists to submit their work for the two-day art fair Art on the Green 2010 on Friday and Saturday, Sept. 10 and 11. More than $3,000 will be available in prize money. The submission deadline is Thursday, July 1. Apply online through zapplication.com. Call (630) 654-2782 or visit shopburrridge.com.
• Artists of all media are invited to submit one piece to Volo Bog's Third Annual Summer Bog Art Show, which runs from Friday, July 2, through Saturday, Aug. 7. The piece must be representative of and/or inspired by bogs. Submissions are accepted from Wednesday, June 9, through Wednesday, June 30. Call (815) 344-1294 or visit friendsofvolobog.org.
• Performing artists interested in joining 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.
• The Annual Great Lakes Photo Contest, co-sponsored by the Biodiversity Project's Great Lakes Forever program and AnheuserBusch, is seeking submissions for 2010 to help promote environmental conservation. The deadline is Sunday, July 18. Visit greatlakesforever.com.
• Chicago-based Pride Films and Plays holds a Great Gay Screenplay Contest. There is a $1,000 prize and a $400 people's choice prize. The contest is open to writers ages 18 and older. The entry fee ranges between $45-$60 and all entries are due by Saturday, July 31. Visit pridefilmsandplays.com for full contest rules and regulations.
• Illinois artists are invited to submit applications to the Illinois Artisans Program. Submission deadline is Friday, Sept. 10. Visit museum.state.il.us/artisans.