Local auditions
• Volunteers are being sought for the 76th McDonald's Thanksgiving Parade from 6 a.m. to noon 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 for details.
• The Theatre of Western Springs offers its "Studio" workshops for actors ages 18 or older 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.
• Auditions for the Improv Playhouse High School and Junior North Shore Improv Ensembles begin at 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 26, at The Art Center, 1957 Sheridan Road, Highland Park. Call (847) 968-4529 or visit improvplayhouse.com for details.
• 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.
• St. Stephen's Gaslight Players has auditions for Meredith Willson's classic Americana musical "The Music Man" from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 8, at St. Stephen Catholic Church, 1267 Everett Ave., Des Plaines. Call (847) 431-1198 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.
• Elgin Community College Musical Theatre has auditions for the 2000 Broadway show "Seussical: The Musical" at the Visual and Performing Arts Center at Elgin Community College, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin. Auditions by appointment for adults ages 16 to 60 are from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 12, and from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14. Open auditions begin at 8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 12, and 1 p.m. Nov. 14. Open auditions for young actors ages 10 to 15 are from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 14. Call (847) 530-3264 or visit eccartscenter.com for more information.
• 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.