Movies and TV shows casting in Illinois

Written by:
Backstage
September 10, 2025
Media_Photos // Shutterstock
This story was produced by Backstage and reviewed and distributed by Stacker Media.

Movies and TV shows casting in Illinois

The glitz and glam of Hollywood captures the attention of Americans starting from an early age. Beyond celebrities' Instagram Stories and red carpet poses, there are actors out there paying their dues and honing their craft in pursuit of a sustainable career or a fulfilling sideline. Submitting to casting calls is a big part of that journey.

Whether you're a working actor or an aspiring one, you might be curious to know which movies and TV shows are casting roles near you. Backstage compiled a list of projects casting right now in Illinois, neighboring states, and nationwide, and which roles they're looking to fill.

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Grusho Anna // Shutterstock

'Counterfeit'

- Project type: feature film
- Roles:
--- Holly's Mom (day player, female, 35-45)
--- Holly's Dad (day player, male, 35-50)
--- Connor's Dad (day player, male, 60-70)
- Average hourly rate: $30
- Casting locations: Chicago
- Learn more about the feature film here

2 / 15
Tikkyshop // Shutterstock

'Love to Love You Baby'

- Project type: short film
- Roles:
--- Extras (background extra, 21-100)
--- Kurt (day player, male, 25-100)
--- Tina (lead, female, 21-30)
- Average hourly rate: $33
- Casting locations: Chicago
- Learn more about the short film here

3 / 15
Media_Photos // Shutterstock

'The House by the Marsh'

- Project type: feature film
- Roles:
--- Matt (lead, male, 18-100)
--- Casandra Tracy (lead, female, 18-100)
--- Jen (lead, female, 18-100)
- Average hourly rate: not available
- Casting locations: Chicago
- Learn more about the feature film here

4 / 15
Dpongvit // Shutterstock

'This Is My Body'

- Project type: short film
- Roles:
--- Documentary Subject (lead, female, gender-nonconforming, non-binary, trans female, trans male, 21-100)
--- Intimacy Coordinator (crew)
--- Second Camera Op (crew)
- Average hourly rate: $100
- Casting locations: Chicago
- Learn more about the short film here

5 / 15
Grusho Anna // Shutterstock

'At Distance'

- Project type: short film
- Roles:
--- Jude (lead, male, 33-45)
--- Margret (supporting, female, 33-45)
--- Brock (supporting, male, 24-50)
- Average hourly rate: $12
- Casting locations: Chicago
- Learn more about the short film here

6 / 15
Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock

'Pet Communicator'

- Project type: short film
- Roles:
--- Charlie (lead, female, 26-40)
--- Josh (supporting, male, 26-40)
--- Barry (lead, male, 30-70)
- Average hourly rate: not available
- Casting locations: Chicago
- Learn more about the short film here

7 / 15
muratart // Shutterstock

'The Pet Communicator'

- Project type: short film
- Roles:
--- Charlie (lead, female, 25-39)
--- Josh (lead, male, 25-39)
--- Barry (lead, male, 40-70)
- Average hourly rate: $15
- Casting locations: Chicago
- Learn more about the short film here

8 / 15
Grusho Anna // Shutterstock

'Run For Your Life'

- Project type: short film
- Roles:
--- Mikey (lead, male, 20-30)
- Average hourly rate: $31
- Casting locations: Chicago
- Learn more about the short film here

9 / 15
Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock

'Vice'

- Project type: short film
- Roles:
--- Jennifer (lead, female, 21-35)
--- Anthony Deimos (lead, male, 21-35)
--- Charlie (lead, female, 21-35)
- Average hourly rate: $25
- Casting locations: Chicago
- Learn more about the short film here

10 / 15
Media_Photos // Shutterstock

'Freedom of the Press'

- Project type: short film
- Roles:
--- Gunner (supporting, male, 28-50)
--- Production Assistant/Craft Services (crew)
--- Drunk Slaveholder (supporting, male, 35-65)
- Average hourly rate: $43
- Casting locations: Chicago
- Learn more about the short film here

11 / 15
Grusho Anna // Shutterstock

'Progeny,' Lead Roles - Nationwide Casting'

- Project type: feature film
- Roles:
--- Emily Keith (lead, female, 20-35)
- Average hourly rate: $37
- Casting locations: nationwide
- Learn more about the feature film here

12 / 15
guruXOX // Shutterstock

'Lowball'

- Project type: feature film
- Roles:
--- Mary Ann (lead, 18-30)
--- Ann (supporting, female, 20-35)
- Average hourly rate: $75
- Casting locations: nationwide
- Learn more about the feature film here

13 / 15
Grusho Anna // Shutterstock

'Unwritten'

- Project type: short film
- Roles:
--- Lily (day player, female, 8-14)
--- Stacy (supporting, female, 30-45)
--- Spencer (supporting, male, 18-22)
- Average hourly rate: $50
- Casting locations: Newport, Kentucky
- Learn more about the short film here

14 / 15
KinoMasterskaya // Shutterstock

'The Bra League'

- Project type: scripted show
- Roles:
--- Trixie Stix (lead, female, 24-36)
--- Abbey Andersen (lead, female, 23-38)
- Average hourly rate: $25
- Casting locations: Lexington, Kentucky
- Learn more about the scripted show here

15 / 15
Grusho Anna // Shutterstock

'Gym Humor Skits'

- Project type: short film
- Roles:
--- College Aged Actor (lead, 18-100)
- Average hourly rate: $10
- Casting locations: Saint Joseph, Missouri; Kansas City, Missouri; Joplin, Missouri
- Learn more about the short film here

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