Local 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 in the Chicago area 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.

• 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.

• 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.