Local auditions

• Dancenter North seeks performers to fill specialty roles in its production of "The Magic of the Nutcracker" in Libertyville and Waukegan in December. Boys ages 8-15 and male and female gymnasts are needed. Gymnasts auditioning must not be taller than 5 feet and can audition at 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 19, at Dancenter North, 540 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville. Athletic boys with stage presence are sought for the "Party Scene" and are seen at 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 19. All those auditioning are asked to bring a current photo. For details, call (847) 367-7970.

• The Elmhurst Choral Union has auditions for its 2010-11 season, which includes performances of Handel's "Messiah" and Brahms' "Requiem." Auditions are open to those who can read music. Tenors and basses are particularly sought. To reserve an audition time on Monday, Sept. 20, call (630) 758-1100 or visit elmhurstchoralunion.org.

• The North Shore Jr. and Teen Improv ensembles have comedy auditions for kids and teenagers in grades four through nine at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 26, at the Karger Center, 1850 Green Bay Road, Highland Park. Students must register for an audition appointment. Call Improv Playhouse at (847) 968-4529 for details.

• The Northwest Choral Society has auditions for its 45th anniversary season. Auditions are Tuesday evenings before rehearsals from 7 to 7:30 p.m. at St. Martin Episcopal Church, 1095 Thacker St., Des Plaines. To schedule an audition, call (224) 585-9127 or visit nwchoralsociety.org.

• The Neo-Futurists has an open call for artists to submit a portrait of President Barack Obama to hang in the Neo-Futurarium's Hall of Presidents gallery. There is a $250 cash prize for the winner. The deadline for entry is 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 24. There is a $10 entry fee. Visit neofuturists.org for more information.

• Overshadowed Theatrical Productions has auditions for "It's a Wonderful Life" at 9 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 25, and at 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 27, at Itasca Baptist Church, 210 S. Walnut St., Itasca. Those auditioning should prepare a 60-second monologue of his or her own choosing. For more information, visit overshadowedproductions.com.

• Hyatt Regency Chicago seeks photos of families enjoying Chicago sites for a "2010 Classic Family Photo Contest." Entries are due by Thursday, Sept. 30, and can be submitted via e-mail at hrcemarketing@hyatt.com or by posting images on Hyatt's Facebook page.

• The Fractured Lens Video Festival seeks entrants for its 2010 contest to be held at the historic Portage Theater, 4050 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago, Thursday, Nov. 11. Visit fracturedlensvideo.com for details.

• The 14th annual Scotch Brand Most Gifted Wrapper Contest seeks entrants for top-notch gift wrappers. Those interested should visit mostgiftedwrapper.com to submit a photo and a 100-word essay. The deadline for entry is Monday, Oct. 18. There is a $10,000 prize for the winner among eight finalists who will be flown to New York City to compete.

• Pride Films & Plays announces the Great Gay Play Contest to be held in conjunction with the Center on Halsted. The contest seeks new works dealing with GLBTQ history, characters or themes that are important to the community and relevant to the world. Fifteen semifinalists are to be selected by an international committee of veteran theater and film professionals. Five finalists will be performed as staged readings in the first of what is hoped to be an annual Great Gay Theater Festival in the Hoover-Leppen Theater in the Center on Halsted. The final five finalists will also receive $400. Deadline is Saturday, Oct. 30. Contest rules and applications may be found at pridefilmsandplays.com.

• Big Noise Theatre Company has auditions for James Sherman's comedy "Beau Jest" from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Sunday and Monday, Oct. 24 and 25, at the Winnetka Community House, 680 Lincoln Ave., Winnetka. Auditions consist of cold readings from the script. For details, visit bignoisetheatre.org or call (773) 463-4180.

• Pinstripes Bowling, Bocce and Bistro holds its fourth annual Art Contest. Interested artists are sought to create paintings inspired by activities and games at Pinstripes locations in South Barrington, Northbrook and Edina, Minn. Painters will then be able to share their works of art with the community (each entry receives a $10 Pinstripes gift certificate). Artwork should be submitted by Monday, Nov. 15, at one of the three Pinstripes locations. There is prize money for winners in the age groups of 6-12, 13-17 and 18 and over. Visit pinstripes.com for more information.

• The Geneva History Center is seeking photographs from residents of the Blizzard of 1967, when the Chicago area was blanketed with more than 20 inches of snow. Call (630) 232-4951 for details.

• The Chicago regional auditions for Juilliard Dance are Sunday, Feb. 20. Application deadline is Wednesday, Dec. 1. For details, call (212) 799-5000, ext. 506, or e-mail danceadmissions@juilliard.edu.