Local auditions

• The Village of Streamwood Community Relations invites local artists to participate in its "Art Appreciation Around the World" to be held on Saturday, May 1 at Poplar Creek Public Library. For more information, call (630) 736-3816.

• Stage Coach Players has auditions for its summer productions of Neil Simon's "Rumors," Don Nigro's "November," Tim Clue's "Leaving Iowa," William Finn's "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" and another yet-to-be-named Broadway musical from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, March 20-21, and 7 to 9 p.m. Monday, March 22, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 511 Russell Road, DeKalb. Visit stagecoachers.com for more information.

• Windy City Gay Chorus and Aria: Windy City Women's Ensemble have auditions for their joint Pride concert in June at 6 p.m. Monday and Wednesday, March 22 and 24, at the Center on Halsted, 3656 N. Halsted St., Chicago. Visit windycitysings.org for more information and to schedule an audition time.

• The Improv Playhouse Young Actors Workshop has auditions for "James and the Giant Peach" from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday, March 22, at 735 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville. For more information, call (847) 968-4529 or visit improvplayhouse.com.

• Illinois artists are invited to submit applications to the Illinois Artisans Program. Submission deadlines for 2010 are Friday, March 26, and Friday, Sept. 10. Visit museum.state.il.us/artisans.

• Chicago Opera Theater announces its second-annual YouTube video contest, which focuses on the theme "How do YOU make 'opera less ordinary'?" in relation to its upcoming season of Rossini's "Moses in Egypt," Cavalli's "Jason" and Jake Heggie's "Three Decembers." Contestants can post their entries online at youtube.com. Deadline is 10 a.m. Thursday, April 1. The top three entrants with the highest votes each win two COT subscriptions. Visit chicagooperatheater.org.

• High-school and college-age students are invited to audition for Rising Star Theatreworks' June production of the 2002 Broadway version of the 1967 film "Thoroughly Modern Millie." Auditions are from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, April 2, and from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, April 3. Dance auditions follow at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 3. For those away during the weekend, an additional audition date is from 6 to 7 p.m. Friday, April 9. Auditions are at 451 Stevens St., Geneva. Call (630) 262-5027 or visit risingstartheatre.org for more information.

• Auditions for the comedy showcase competition "Impress These Apes" are on Sunday, April 11. To schedule an audition, e-mail a biography and a head shot to info@blewt.com. Visit blewt.com for more information.

• Glenview Theatre Guild has open auditions for its summer presentation of "Disney's Beauty and the Beast" from 6 to 9:30 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, April 12 and 13, at Glenview Park District's Park Center, 2400 Chestnut Ave., Glenview. Those auditioning should bring proper dance attire and have 32 bars of music to sing. Call (847) 604-3411 or visit GTGonstage.com for more information.

• The Illinois Humanities Council is accepting applications for new members of its speakers bureau. Humanities scholars affiliated with Illinois colleges and universities and independent scholars are eligible to apply (speakers focusing on Freedom Rides, civil rights, the World Trade Center attacks and the American work ethic are particularly encouraged to apply). The deadline is April 15. Those interested can download an application at prairie.org/roadscholars or request one by calling (312) 422-5580.

• 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.

• 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.

• The Naperville Art League invites artists to apply for the 25th Riverwalk Fine Art Fair on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 18-19. Those interested must complete an online registration through zapplication.org and agree to the fair's rules and regulations. Online applications are due Friday, April 2. For information, call (630) 355-2530.

• 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.