Local auditions

• The Rockford Dance Company is calling for scripts from individuals or groups willing to write (and possibly perform) their own skits for “The Rockford Follies,” a fundraiser at the Coronado Theatre in February 2010. Applications and scripts are due by Friday, Dec. 3. More information and application forms can be obtained at rockforddancecompany.com or by calling (815) 963-3341.

• The Palatine Children's Chorus has auditions on Thursday, Jan. 6, and on Wednesday, Jan. 12, for children from the Northwest suburbs who will be at least 8 years old on Monday, Jan. 10. After a short audition, singers can be placed in either the Treble Choir (Wednesday rehearsals) or the Intermezzo Choir (Monday rehearsals) based on age and musical experience. Rehearsals begin Monday, Jan. 10. To make an audition appointment, call (847) 705-5123 x237.

• Fox Valley Repertory (formerly Noble Fool Theatricals) is accepting new play submissions for the Fox Valley Area's inaugural Summer Arts Festival to take place annually at Pheasant Run Resort, 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles, and throughout the city of St. Charles between Thursday and Sunday, July 14-31. In particular, three playwrights are sought to work one-on-one with local scientists around the theme of “Collider 2011: New Play Project.” Playwrights are also invited to submit 10-minute new plays to be considered for the Big Bang 10 Minute Play Fest, a program to also take place during the Summer Arts Festival. Submissions must be made online. Specific guidelines, submission forms and more information can be found at foxvalleyartsfestival.org. No phone calls or mailed submissions.

• Amateur photographers of all ages are invited to enter the annual “Cantigny in Focus” photo contest. Submitted images (limit 10) must be from the grounds of Cantigny in Wheaton and can be from any year that the park was open to the public. The entry deadline is Friday, Dec. 3. Visit Cantigny.org or call (630) 260-8167.

• Liberty Town Productions invites very young-looking high school-aged and younger singer/dancer/actresses to audition for the role of the super-talented child actress in the off-Broadway comedy “Ruthless! The Musical” from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4, at St. Lawrence Episcopal Church, 125 W. Church St., Libertyville. Auditions for adult roles are set to be scheduled Tuesday and Wednesday, Jan. 4-5. Visit LibertyTownProductions.com for more information.

• Real Clear Productions has vocal auditions for the 1975 award-winning musical “A Chorus Line” from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 11, at North Shore Baptist Church, 5244 N. Lakewood Ave., Chicago. Those interested in auditioning should prepare a 36-bar song from the show. Auditions are by appointment only. The production is also in search of volunteers to be the stage manager, house manager and production assistants. For more information, email Joe Marabotti at joe@realclearproductions.org or visit realclearproductions.org.

• The Improv Playhouse Showstoppers auditions young actors between third and ninth grades for a production of the classic Broadway musical “Guys and Dolls” from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 11 at 735 N. Milwaukee, Libertyville. Call Improv Playhouse at (847) 968-4529 to select audition times and to pick up an audition packet. Visit improvplayhouse.com for more information.

• Chicago-area vocalists are invited to audition for the 2011/12 season of the Chicago Symphony Chorus. All voice parts are welcome. Auditions are set between Monday, Jan. 10, through Saturday, Jan. 29, at Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago. Auditions are by appointment only. The deadline for audition applications is Thursday, Dec. 23. Complete details and an online application form are available at cso.org/chorusauditions. Call (312) 294-3501 for more information.

• GreenMan Theatre has auditions for the murder/mystery dinner theater show “Here's Looking at You Dead!” at 1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 12, and 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 13, at First United Methodist Church, 232 S. York St., Elmhurst. For more information about auditions, classes, or volunteer positions, call (630) 464-2646, or visit greenmantheatre.com.

• Theater D has auditions for the comedy “Squabbles” at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 9, and 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 11, at the Jewett Park Community Center, 836 Jewett Park Drive, Deerfield. For more information, call producer Donna Price at (847) 940-1890.

• Fox Valley Rep Performing Arts Academy (formerly Noble Fool Theatricals Performing Arts Academy) seeks young actors between the ages of 6 to 19 to audition for its winter productions. Auditions for “Seussical Jr.” are from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 16, and from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 18. Auditions for “Snow White” are from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 12, and 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 15. Auditions for the teen comedy “The Talent Show” are from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 13, and noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 15. Auditions are at the Pheasant Run Resort's Preservation Hall A Studio Stage, 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles. For more information, call (630) 364-0550 or visit noblefool.org/education.

• The Robert Stanger Young Artist Concerto Audition for 2011 is set to be conducted by the Elmhurst Symphony Association in cooperation with the Elmhurst Kiwanis Club and the Auxiliary of the Elmhurst Symphony Association. Outstanding high school orchestral instrumentalists and pianists are encouraged to audition on Saturday, Feb. 5, in Irion Hall, Elmhurst College, 190 Prospect, Elmhurst. Applications must be postmarked by Saturday, Dec. 4, and the application fee is $40. Call (630) 789-2070 or contact the ESO office at (630) 941-0202.

• The Highland Park Players has auditions for Disney's “Aladdin” from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, Jan. 4-5, at the West Ridge Center, 636 Ridge Road, Highland Park. Roles are available for teenagers ages 13 and up. Those interested should prepare 16 bars of a song to sing and be prepared to dance. For more information, go to highlandparkplayers.com or call (847) 682-4640.

• The Lyric Opera of Chicago has chorus auditions for classically trained singers for the 2011-12 season. Preliminary auditions are from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays, Jan. 22 and 29; 3 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 9; 2 to 4 p.m. Friday, Feb. 11; 3 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 15; and 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, March 4. Out-of-town singers can audition from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 5. Auditions are by invitation only. Singers should send a current resume and photo to: Chorus Auditions Coordinator, Lyric Opera of Chicago, 20 N. Wacker Drive, Suite 860, Chicago, IL 60606. The deadline for submitting materials is Friday, Jan. 28. Visit lyricopera.org for an audition brochure or call (312) 827-3548 for more information.

• The Rockford Writers' Guild welcomes entries for the 7th annual “Ides of March Poetry & Prose Contest.” Eclectic poetry up to 50 lines or prose up to 1,300 words should express fresh insights into the human condition (sexist, pornographic or supremacist content will not be considered). The deadline to enter is March 15. The entry fee is $5 for up to three poems entered and/or $5 for each single prose entry. All proceeds from the entry fee will be distributed among the winners. Original, previously unpublished work may be sent in hard copy format to: Rockford Writers Guild Ides Contest, Attn: Editor Connie Kuntz, P.O. Box 858, Rockford, IL 61105. Visit rockfordwritersguild.com.

• The Curt Teich Postcard Archives at the Lake County Discovery Museum seeks entries for its ninth biennial Postcard Art Competition and Exhibition (PACE). The juried competition examines the postcard as an art form and challenges artists, ages 18 and older, to create original works of art in a 4-by-6-inch size. Submission deadline is Monday, July 11. To download a prospectus and entry form or view past winners, visitLCFPD.org/PACE or call (847) 968-3381 for more information.