Arts agenda

• The Goodman Theatre holds open auditions for children ages 5 to 17 for its 30th annual production of "A Christmas Carol" at 9 a.m. Sept. 8 at 170 N. Dearborn St., Chicago. A variety of roles are open, including Tiny Tim. Performers should memorize a one-minute monologue or poem, plus one verse of a song sung a cappella. Also bring a resume and a photo. Registrations end at noon and auditions end at 12:30 p.m. The Goodman requests that you do not call for audition appointments.

• Steel Beam Theatre holds children's auditions for "A Christmas Story" from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Sept. 17 and 18, while adult auditions are from 7:30 to 9 p.m. on the same dates at 111 W. Main St., St. Charles. Visit www.steelbeamtheatre.com or call (630) 587-8521 for more information.

• NBC's "The Biggest Loser" is looking for individuals or teams of two to compete on its reality TV weight-loss show. You must be at least 18 years old and a legal U.S. resident to apply. Applicants must download an application, make a videotape and submit photographs. All tape submissions must be postmarked by Sept. 4 and are not returned. Visit www.nbc.com for more information.

• Stage Coach Players holds auditions for its annual "A Christmas Carol" from 1 to 4 p.m. Sept. 9 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sept. 10 and 11 at 126 S. Fifth St., DeKalb. Adults, kids, teenagers and some puppeteers are sought. (815) 758-1940.

• Pianists are invited to audition for the Six Piano Ensemble at Oakton Community College, 1600 E. Golf Road, Room 1360, Des Plaines, from 7 to 9 p.m. Sept. 17 and 19. Music is provided, but candidates can also perform a prepared selection. (847) 635-1905.

• The Bartlett Adult Chorus seeks singers who are 45 years or older to join. Rehearsals are 7 p.m. Wednesdays at the Victory Centre at Route 59 and West Bartlett Road, Bartlett. Call (630) 213-0100.

• Lyric Opera of Chicago holds preliminary chorus auditions for a 2008 production of Gershwin's 1935 opera "Porgy and Bess." Classically trained African-American singers in all voice categories are sought. Auditions are held from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. Nov. 2, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 to 5 p.m. on Nov. 3. To be considered for an audition, singers should send a current resume, photo and best available audition date to: Lyric Opera of Chicago, Chorus Auditions Coordinator, 20 N. Wacker Drive, Suite 860, Chicago, IL 60606. Resumes are not accepted after Oct. 22. Not all applicants will be seen, and walk-ins are not accepted. (312) 332-2244.

• The Classical Symphony Orchestra holds auditions for The Protégé Philharmonic of Chicago on Saturday and Sunday at Classical Symphony Hall, 218 S. Wabash Ave., Chicago. Call (312) 341-1521 to schedule an audition.

• Improv Playhouse's Young Actors Workshop will audition children up to age 17 for its November production of "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday at 735 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville. Call (847) 968-4529 for more information.

• The North Shore Theater of Wilmette's autumn production is the 1954 musical "The Pajama Game." Auditions are 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday at the Wilmette Park District's Community Recreation Center, 3000 Glenview Road, Wilmette. Call (847) 256-9694 for more information.

• The College of DuPage holds auditions for its fall semester productions of Edna Walsh's "Disco Pigs," Shakespeare's "Henry V" and Anita Larsen's adaptation of "The Velveteen Rabbit" at noon Sept. 7 and 3:30 p.m. Sept. 8 at the McAninch Arts Center Studio Theatre, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. For information, call (630) 942-2137.

• The New Classical Singers, a 36-voice choral ensemble at College of DuPage, holds auditions for new members by appointment on Tuesday at the McAninch Arts Center, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn.. There are openings in all sections. Call (630) 942-3008.

• Steel Beam Theatre is looking for children ages 9 to 16 to audition for its tuition-based musical "Babes in Toyland," which performs in October and November. Auditions are from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at the American Legion, 8 N. 2nd Ave., St. Charles. Tuition, if cast, is $195. Call (630) 587-8521.

• Brookfield Zoo seeks photographers to enter its annual photo contest to win the grand prize of two round-trip American Airlines tickets to the contiguous 48 states. Photos must feature an animal or animals (photos with people are not accepted). All entries must be received by 5 p.m. Oct. 8 at 3300 Golf Road, Brookfield. Visit www.brookfieldzoo.org for more information.

• Heartland Voices, an Elgin choral chamber ensemble, has openings for altos, tenors and basses for its 2007-08 season. Auditions are by appointment throughout September. Call (847) 429-9486 to schedule an audition or visit www.heartlandvoices.org for more information.

•The 27th annual Carey Rose Winski Dance Scholarship Competition is held at the Lou Conte Dance Studio-Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, 1147 W. Jackson Blvd., Chicago, at 11 a.m. Sept. 30. Scholarships totaling $1,500 are given to winning dancers between the ages of 13 and 18 (male or female) for further education. Applications and detailed competition information can be obtained by writing to the Carey Rose Winski Memorial Foundation Inc., 69 Woodley Road, Winnetka, IL 60093.