Local auditions
• Gallery 28 in Geneva is sponsoring a special art contest called YO! Art, which allows members of the community to decorate standard yo-yos. Entries are being accepted through Saturday, July 31. The contest is open to all ages (though those 18 and under must get permission from a guardian). For more information, call (630) 845-9673 or visit gallery28.biz.
• The Elgin Theatre Company has another round of auditions for the Broadway musical "The Producers," based upon Mel Brooks' classic 1960s film. Auditions begin at 7 p.m. Sunday, June 27, in the Sears Gallery of Elgin Academy, at the corner of Park Street and Academy Place in Elgin. Those interested in a major role should prepare a 1-minute comic monologue, while everyone else should also prepare 16-bars of a song and be ready to dance. Call (847) 338-0506 or visit Elgin-theatre.org for more information.
• The New Classic Singers has auditions for its select 36-member ensemble for the 2010-11 season, with auditions in Glen Ellyn on 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 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 work for a two-day art fair Art on the Green 2010 on Friday and Saturday, Sept. 10-11. 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 through Wednesday, June 30. Call (815) 344-1294 or visit friendsofvolobog.org.
• The Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestra has extra auditions by appointment for its 2010-11 season at Elgin Community College, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin. Auditions by appointment are on Thursday, July 8. Auditions are open to students fourth grade to college age for the organization's five orchestras and brass ensemble. There is a $45 audition fee per instrument. Call (847) 841-7700 or visit eyso.org.
• The Albright Theatre Company has auditions for a September run of the comedy "The Desk Set" at 7:30 p.m. Sunday and Monday, July 18 and 19, on the third floor of the Batavia Government Center, 100 N. Island Ave., Batavia. Auditions are open for eight women (ages 20-80) and eight men (ages 25-60) and consist of cold readings from the script. Visit albrighttheatre.com or call (630) 406-8838 for more information.
• 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 from $45 to $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.