Chicago

The annual Chicago Pride parade, which started as a protest march in 1970 after the Stonewall Riots in New York City, has grown into the city's second-largest parade of nearly 200 entries, typically attracting more than 1 million people to multiple northside neighborhoods, particularly East Lakeview.

SAG-AFTRA members will be participanting with the team from WCPT 820 AM!

Pride Month has come to symbolize several things: the long history of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality, the freedom of all people to meaningfully and proudly express their sexual and gender identities, and the commitment of LGBTQ people to combat oppression.

RSVP: Reservations are required. Please complete the form below to RSVP; you must be logged in to RSVP. 

This event is only open to paid-up SAG-AFTRA members in good standing (paid thru Oct. 31, 2023, or in compliance with the May 2023 dues relief extension). No guests are allowed. Parents/guardians of performers under 18 years old are welcome.

ADA requests may be included on your RSVP form below. Please note that ADA requests must be received 48 business hours before the start of the event. 

Below is the information for the next SAG-AFTRA/IFA table read. We are pleased to announce that we are reading “A Real One” from filmmaker/SAG-AFTRA member McKenzie Chinn. If you are interested in putting yourself on videotape for consideration to read one of these roles, please email Kathy.Byrne@sagaftra.org to request the sides for the specific role you are interested in.

Deadline for submissions is June 23, 2023 at 5 p.m. Please upload your audition tape, resume and headshot via dropbox to:

https://www.dropbox.com/request/jtz2LZ8N2yMstFtILqbx

The Table Read is on Monday, July 24 at 6 pm at the KRC with a rehearsal on Thursday, July 20 at 5:30 pm. If you are available to participate on both of these dates - please submit.

Synopsis: Lauren and Keisha’s friendship is “us against the world.” They’re 17 and live on Chicago’s largely Black south side. When Lauren is forced to reveal a tightly-held secret to Keisha - that she’s involved with their English teacher - the two friends must take matters into their own hands in a landscape where the only thing they can truly count on is each other.

Character Breakdown: (Looking for perfomers who are able to portray the following:)

LAUREN: 17, Black, F. Studious and introverted with a rich inner life. Intelligent, but self-conscious. A latchkey kid and only-child raised by a single mom who works nights, Lauren learned independence young. Has had a part-time job since sophomore year, and longs to be accepted to a prestigious college as a way of proving her worth.  Feels deeply but mostly keeps how she feels to herself, along with a big secret: she’s involved with her English teacher.

OCEAN: 17/18, BIPOC. Nonbinary masc. They/them. Transfer student who’s into quietly defying social structures. Magnetic and grounded. A young David Bowie or Prince before either grew into themselves. Perceptive, thoughtful, and careful. Strongly relates to Lauren’s reserved nature. Has a history battling depression and self-harm. Has earned their wisdom and the scars it came with. Plays Hamlet in the school’s spring production.

OMAR: 17/18, Black, M. Kind-hearted and not particularly cool. Super smart - just got accepted to MIT. Carries a torch for Lauren, but is oblivious to how much Keisha likes him. (Also reads ANTHONY).

ALICIA: 17/18, Black, Latinx, Afro-Latinx, F. Alpha wanna-be. Besties with Ashley and always follows her lead. (Also reads CAFETERIA STUDENT 2, CREW 2, and PARTY-GOER 1). 

This event is only open to paid-up SAG-AFTRA members in good standing (paid thru Oct. 31, 2023, or in compliance with the May 2023 dues relief extension).  Parents/guardians of performers under 18 years old are welcome.

ADA requests may be included on your RSVP form below. Please note that ADA requests must be received 48 business hours before the start of the event. 

The Bud Billiken® Parade is the largest African American parade in the United States and SAG-AFTRA members will be participating with the team from the Chicago Federation of Labor!

The parade features contests in categories like Best Float and Best Dance Team allowing participants to showcase their unique talents. Bud Billiken® has hosted several notable figures including Oprah Winfrey, President Truman, Duke Ellington, and President Obama (then Senator). At the close of the parade, all attendees are welcome to join in the post-parade festivities in the park.

With a live broadcast on ABC7 Chicago, the parade is viewed and attended by over one million people. It stretches two miles down Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive, through the historic Bronzeville neighborhood, into Washington Park. The procession is led by a Grand Marshal and Royal Court (youth recipients to a Week of Fun as essay winners).

The parade is produced in cooperation with the Chicago’s Mayor’s Office, the Chicago Police Department, Chicago Fire Department, Chicago Park District and other city organizations.

 

RSVP: Reservations are required. Please complete the form below to RSVP; you must be logged in to RSVP. 

This event is only open to paid-up SAG-AFTRA members in good standing (paid thru Oct. 31, 2023, or in compliance with the May 2023 dues relief extension). No guests are allowed. Parents/guardians of performers under 18 years old are welcome.

ADA requests may be included on your RSVP form below. Please note that ADA requests must be received 48 business hours before the start of the event. 

 

The Conservatory is back IN PERSON June 26!

Join us for an evening with casting directors from O'Connor Casting as we discuss and work on all things commercial! From self tapes to virtual callbacks to being back in the same room -  the O'Connor Casting crew will help us navigate the latest trends of the modern commercial and help us get ready for that next "Bite & Smile".

A small group of actors will be chosen via a lottery system to actively participate and perform during this conservatory presentation.

If you wish to submit to the lottery, please submit your interest to Jess.Jones@sagaftra.org by Friday, June 16 at noon.   

Scripts will be distributed to those selected a week before the workshop. Some participants will be asked to self tape their script and some will be asked to perform live with casting. This will also be chosen randomly via lottery. Please indicate if you have a preference between self tape or live in-person method when submitting to the lottery.
 

RSVP: Reservations are required. Please complete the form below to RSVP; you must be logged in to RSVP. 

This event is only open to paid-up SAG-AFTRA members in good standing (paid thru Oct. 31, 2023, or in compliance with the May 2023 dues relief extension). No guests are allowed. Parents/guardians of performers under 18 years old are welcome.

ADA requests may be included on your RSVP form below. Please note that ADA requests must be received 48 business hours before the start of the event. 

We are preparing for a headshot event.  SAG-AFTRA Chicago members will be given an opportunity at a discounted headshot at a local headshot photographers' studio. The headshot session will be a 1/2 hour session for 1 look.  If you are interested in reserving a session, please RSVP below.  Once we have a list of photographers and appointment times, you will be given an opportunity to specify your choice.

RSVP: Reservations are required. Please complete the form below to RSVP; you must be logged in to RSVP. 

This event is only open to paid-up SAG-AFTRA members in good standing (paid thru Oct. 31, 2023, or in compliance with the May 2023 dues relief extension). No guests are allowed. Parents/guardians of performers under 18 years old are welcome.

ADA requests may be included on your RSVP form below. Please note that ADA requests must be received 48 business hours before the start of the event. 

Please join us for a Saturday morning Reiki session.  Agent and Reiki master Donna Simons-Dunn will be joining us via ZOOM! Bring a yoga mat and wear comfortable clothing.

After Reiki, stick around for a good old fasioned pancake breakfast in the KRC.

RSVP: Reservations are required. Please complete the form below to RSVP; you must be logged in to RSVP. 

This event is only open to paid-up SAG-AFTRA members in good standing (paid thru Oct. 31, 2023, or in compliance with the May 2023 dues relief extension). No guests are allowed. Parents/guardians of performers under 18 years old are welcome.

ADA requests may be included on your RSVP form below. Please note that ADA requests must be received 48 business hours before the start of the event. 

The NextGen Game Night is back!  Game night will be held the third Tuesday of the month in the KRC. August games will include a Cornhole/Bags Tournament.

Who: SAG-AFTRA members and guests.  Feel free to bring friends to help you win!

What: Game Night - each month is a different game - we are open to suggestions.

Where: KRC - 1 E. Erie, Suite 660, Chicago, IL

When: The 3rd Tuesday of each month from 6 - 9 pm.

Please bring a snack to share, and BYOB.

#IAmNGP

#NextGenChi

RSVP: Reservations are required. Please complete the form below to RSVP; you must be logged in to RSVP. 

ADA requests may be included on your RSVP form below. Please note that ADA requests must be received 48 business hours before the start of the event. 

Virtual Studio Jams are a way to plug in with other union members, get practice in the medium, work on industry-relevant material, and share feedback as you flex your muscles in a low-pressure setting - your own house!

Our On Cam Jam is a perfect place to get up on your camera to work on sides, scenes, or the kind of copy that interests you! This is a great time to ask self-tape questions and discuss technology with other members.

Our VO Jam affords voice actors a time and place to work on copy, listen to feedback, ask all your tough tech questions, and make tweaks and revisions to get in tip top shape for the next voice gig!

We also offer Free Form days to work on whatever you want to work on with Center Director Melissa Pryor.

RSVP here.

Please Note:

Studio Jams are intended for union performers in good standing and are offered as a benefit of membership. By claiming your seat in this series, you are confirming that you are a union performer in good standing and are participating in the series in order to share and receive developmental feedback intended for the growth and development of professional union performers. In participating in the series, you also confirm that you are pursuing work and development to work only under union agreements and contracts.

Our virtual jam sessions take place via zoom - you will receive a confirmation email with zoom room info when you confirm your 'seat' in the jam. If you do not receive it or have any questions or problems, email Melissa- melissa@thekaufherrcenter.org.

This workshop is not intended to imply an endorsement of any individual or company by SAG-AFTRA. The information provided through the workshop is given for informational purposes and may not be a suitable substitute for the advice of other industry professionals. You should always use good judgment in these matters and should not act or refrain from acting based solely on information provided through the workshop.

This event is only open to SAG-AFTRA members in good standing.

 

Welcome to the SAG-AFTRA Chicago Local! This Member 101 meeting is a must for new members, and a great refresher for the seasoned veteran actor!  

This is a valuable meeting to learn everything you need to know about SAG-AFTRA and all that we have to offer.  

Learn new things and get answers to any questions you have about SAG-AFTRA.

The meeting will be held in person at the KRC - 1 E. Erie, and also available via ZOOM.   If you elect to be in person, you will need to register for a Health Pass through the CLEAR app showing proof of vaccination.  Details will be in the email confirmation once you RSVP.

RSVP: Reservations are required. Please complete the form below to RSVP; you must be logged in to RSVP. 

This event is only open to paid-up SAG-AFTRA Chicago Local members in good standing (paid thru April 30, 2023 or Oct. 31, 2023, or in compliance with the May 2023 Dues Relief Extension). No guests are allowed. Parents/guardians of performers under 18 years old are welcome.

ADA requests may be included on your RSVP form below. Please note that ADA requests must be received 48 business hours before the start of the event. 

Please join us for the 2023 Chicago Local Annual Membership Meeting. 

When: Monday, May 8
5:45 p.m.: Social hour reception (light hors d’oeuvres served)
7 p.m.: Membership meeting and guest panel

NEW! Panel: For our industry panel on "The Bear," we will welcome the Casting Directors from PR Casting and Jose M. Cervantes (Angel) and Richard Esteras (Manny).

Where: Instituto Cervantes of Chicago
31 W. Ohio St.
Chicago, IL

RSVP requested below but not required.

This meeting is open to paid-up SAG-AFTRA members in good standing (paid through April 30 or October 31, 2023, or in compliance with the May 2023 dues relief extension). No guests are allowed. Parents/guardians of performers under 18 years old are welcome. No RSVP necessary. Please bring your membership card or digital card on the app for admittance.

ADA requests may be included on your RSVP form below. Please note that ADA requests must be received 48 business hours before the start of the event.