Movies and TV shows casting in Chicago

Written by:
Backstage
January 28, 2026
Media_Photos // Shutterstock
was produced by and reviewed and distributed by 麻豆原创 Media.

Movies and TV shows casting in Chicago

The glitz and glam of Hollywood captures attention 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. compiled a list of projects casting right now in Chicago, nearby cities, and nationwide, and which roles they're looking to fill.

1 / 14
Grusho Anna // Shutterstock

'Papa Panov's Special Christmas' Adaptation

- Project type: short film
- Roles:
--- Papa Panov (lead, male, 55+)
--- Jesus (supporting, male, 25-45)
--- Street Sweeper (day player, male, 18-30)
- Roles pay up to: $996
- Casting locations: Chicago
- Learn more about the short film

2 / 14
KinoMasterskaya // Shutterstock

'My Best Friend's Funeral'

- Project type: student film
- Roles:
--- Penny (lead, female, non-binary, trans female, 18-23)
--- Leya (supporting, female, gender-nonconforming, non-binary (+1 more genders), 18-23)
--- Shana (supporting, female, gender-nonconforming, non-binary (+1 more genders), 18-23)
- Roles pay up to: $150
- Casting locations: Chicago
- Learn more about the student film

3 / 14
Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock

'Cotton Eye Joe,' Horror Feature

- Project type: feature film
- Roles:
--- Blair (lead, female, 18-29)
--- Stu (lead, male, 18-29)
--- Cheri (supporting, female, 18-29)
- Roles pay up to: $2,926
- Casting locations: Chicago
- Learn more about the feature film

4 / 14
guruXOX // Shutterstock

'Chester,' Actors and Crew

- Project type: short film
- Roles:
--- Frances Murphy/Mildred Lindquist/Lillian Oetting (background / extra, female, 18+)
- Roles pay up to: $200
- Casting locations: Chicago
- Learn more about the short film

5 / 14
Dpongvit // Shutterstock

Morning Moon - an independent feature

- Project type: feature film
- Roles:
--- Selena (lead, female, 20-23)
--- Avi (lead, male, 40-45)
--- Nya (supporting, female, 35-45)
- Roles pay up to: $5,500
- Casting locations: Chicago
- Learn more about the feature film

6 / 14
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'The Asch Effect'

- Project type: short film
- Roles:
--- Dr. Jacobson (lead, male, 35-55)
--- Rose Hansen (lead, female, 18-25)
--- Davis Hansen (supporting, male, 40-55)
- Casting locations: Chicago
- Learn more about the short film

7 / 14
Tikkyshop // Shutterstock

'Whose Names Are Written On Water'

- Project type: short film
- Roles:
--- Mason (lead, male, 21-30)
--- William "Bill" Taylor (lead, 45-65)
--- Sally (supporting, female, 35-50)
- Roles pay up to: $200
- Casting locations: Chicago
- Learn more about the short film

8 / 14
Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock

Major Streamer New Reality Show, Host

- Project type: reality TV
- Roles:
--- Host/Concierge (lead, male, 40+)
- Roles pay up to: $30,000
- Casting: nationwide
- Learn more about the reality TV show

9 / 14
Grusho Anna // Shutterstock

'Girls Trip'

- Project type: reality TV
- Roles:
--- Recently Single Woman (real people, female, 26-34)
--- Besties with a Recently Single Woman (real people, female, 26-36)
- Roles pay up to: $1,800
- Casting: nationwide
- Learn more about the reality TV show

10 / 14
Grusho Anna // Shutterstock

'Ashwire'

- Project type: feature film
- Roles:
--- Zara Wishear (lead, female, 20-35)
--- Ashwire (lead, all genders, 20-50)
--- Cal (supporting, female, non-binary, 20-30)
- Roles pay up to: $5,000
- Casting: nationwide
- Learn more about the feature film

11 / 14
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TV Series, Real Professional Cooks & Chefs

- Project type: reality TV
- Roles:
--- Real Professional Cooks & Chefs for TV Series (chorus / ensemble, 18+)
--- Real Professional Cooks & Chefs for TV Series (models, 18+)
--- Real Professional Cooks & Chefs for TV Series (real people, 18+)
- Roles pay up to: $5,200
- Casting: nationwide
- Learn more about the reality TV show

12 / 14
Grusho Anna // Shutterstock

Indie Drama Feature Project

- Project type: feature film
- Roles:
--- James (supporting, male, 30-55)
--- Penny (supporting, female, 9-12)
--- Bully Kid (day player, male, 4-6)
- Roles pay up to: $3,488
- Casting: nationwide
- Learn more about the feature film

13 / 14
Grusho Anna // Shutterstock

'Cousins'

- Project type: feature film
- Roles:
--- Daniel Wilson (lead, male, 18-35)
--- Isabella Wilson-Smith (supporting, female, 18-35)
--- Marie Wilson (supporting, female, 25-40)
- Roles pay up to: $900
- Casting: nationwide
- Learn more about the feature film

14 / 14
muratart // Shutterstock

Interactive Game and Vertical Drama Production

- Project type: vertical series
- Roles:
--- Shuhan Ho/Shuhan "Richie" Ho (lead, male, 18-32)
--- Susanna (lead, female, 18-32)
--- Mia (lead, female, 18-32)
- Roles pay up to: $800
- Casting: nationwide
- Learn more about the vertical series

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