CHICAGO TALENT DIRECTORY®
© COPYRIGHT 2026. CHICAGO TALENT ENTERPRISES INC. . All rights reserved.
The "Chicago Talent Directory®" is a registered Federal Trademark with the United States Patent & Trademark Office.
Nanci Ponne', Publisher/Owner/Founder
ROADMAP FAQ
Last Updated: June 2026
This FAQ explains the current CTD roadmap, including what is being built now, what is planned for later phases, and how Chicago Talent Directory® defines its role during the relaunch.
For general questions about CTD’s purpose, history, audience, and policies, please see the General FAQ.
Roadmap
OFFICIALLY RECOGNIZED BY THE ILLINOIS FILM OFFICE -- 1991
Why are there no dates?
Foundation Work FAQ
What does Foundation Work mean?
Why spend so much time on planning?
Reintroducing Chicago Talent Directory® FAQ
Why begin with history and information instead of talent profiles?
Is Chicago Talent Directory® active now?
Auditions, Events & Industry Resources FAQ
Does Chicago Talent Directory® produce auditions or casting notices?
Will auditions be searchable?
Will casting directors and agencies be included?
Will advertising be available?
Talent-Related Businesses & Professional Resources FAQ
What businesses and services may be included?
What does "verified" mean?
How are advertisers reviewed?
Will marketplace businesses be location-verified?
Education & Professional Development FAQ
Will Chicago Talent Directory® offer seminars again?
What is the Talent Profile Launch Event?
Why include educational content?
Verified Talent Profiles FAQ
Will talent profiles be free?
Will paid profiles receive better placement?
Will all submitted talent profiles be accepted?
How will location be verified?
Can talent advertise?
Why aren't talent profiles launching first?
Casting & Production Tools FAQ
Who will have access to professional tools?
How will professional users be verified?
#OnSetChicago • #OnSetIllinois FAQ
What are #OnSetChicago and #OnSetIllinois?
Are these replacing Chicago Talent Spotlight?
Will historic Chicago Talent Directory® 'Spotlight' magazine features return?
FAQ
Chicago Talent Directory® is being developed in phases so each area can become useful before the next is added. Priorities may evolve as development continues and industry needs are evaluated.
Foundation Work includes industry research, archive preservation, historical documentation, planning, technology evaluation, and development occurring behind the scenes before public features are launched.
The goal is to build Chicago Talent Directory® carefully and sustainably while preserving its history and ensuring future features are useful to the industry.
Chicago Talent Directory® has a long history within the Chicago and Illinois entertainment community. Reintroducing that history and purpose establishes context and credibility before larger features are launched.
Yes. Development is ongoing, and information, resources, and updates will continue to be added as the project progresses.
No. Chicago Talent Directory® serves as a directory and information resource. It provides a place for organizations and industry professionals to share auditions, casting notices, events, and opportunities with Chicago and Illinois talent, film, theatre, and media production communities.
Chicago Talent Directory® may also produce its own seminars, workshops, panels, profile-development events, and professional-development programs.
Search and filtering tools are planned to help users locate opportunities more efficiently.
Yes. Casting directors, casting offices, talent agencies, modeling agencies, and voiceover agencies are planned as part of this phase.
A limited number of advertising and supporter opportunities may be introduced during this phase.
Examples may include photographers, coaches, schools, makeup artists, demo-production services, talent-marketing resources, and other businesses that support performers and entertainment professionals.
Chicago Talent Directory® may conduct reasonable verification and review of listings, advertisers, and professional accounts. Verification does not constitute endorsement or guarantee.
Advertisers may be subject to location verification and a reasonable review process before acceptance to maintain the quality and relevance of Chicago Talent Directory® resources.
Yes. Talent-related businesses, professional services, advertisers, and marketplace participants may be subject to location verification before being listed or promoted by Chicago Talent Directory®. CTD’s marketplace is intended to support Chicago and Illinois talent, casting, and production communities. Exceptions may be considered for services that are necessarily remote, digital, or internet-based.
Professional-development seminars, workshops, panels, profile workshops, and educational events are under consideration as future additions.
One concept being explored is a major profile-launch event where talent can create profiles, receive guidance from industry professionals, and learn how to improve their professional presentation and visibility.
Professional success often depends on understanding both performance and business. Education has historically been part of the Chicago Talent Directory® mission.
All talent profiles are FREE.
No. VISIBILITY IS NOT FOR SALE.
Chicago Talent Directory® is committed to visibility based on fit, qualifications, location, and search criteria rather than who spends the most money. All talent profiles are intended to be location-verified and free.
Talent profiles will be reviewed for basic professional readiness and location verification. Chicago Talent Directory® ay require a professional headshot (or logo, when applicable), resume, credits, training, work samples, or other information that helps confirm the person’s professional category and connection to the Chicago and Illinois talent community.
Chicago Talent Directory® may use reasonable location-verification methods before activating talent profiles. One method under consideration is mailing a verification code to the address provided by the talent. The talent would then enter that code to confirm that they can receive mail at that Chicago or Illinois-area address.
Yes. Talent, like other businesses and professionals, may have opportunities to purchase advertising. Advertising is separate from talent profiles and does NOT affect profile eligibility, placement, search results, or access to Chicago Talent Directory® profile features.
Chicago Talent Directory® is being developed in phases so each area can be built carefully and provide meaningful value before additional features are added.
Certain features may be limited to verified casting professionals, producers, agencies, and other qualified industry users.
Verification methods may evolve but could include professional affiliation, business information, industry credits, direct contact, or other reasonable review methods.
#OnSetChicago and #OnSetIllinois are planned future editorial initiatives highlighting the people, projects, accomplishments, and activity within Chicago and Illinois talent, film, theatre, and media production.
Future editorial publishing may evolve under new brands and formats while continuing Chicago Talent Directory®'s long tradition of industry coverage, professional-development content, interviews, and community reporting.
Potential future editorial content may include modern digital versions of historic Chicago Talent Directory® 'Spotlight' departments such as Curtain Call, SRO, InFocus, interviews, industry coverage, achievement announcements, and community updates.
DISCOVER resources. EVALUATE options. CONNECT with the right professional pathways.
For the Illinois talent, film, theatre, and media production community.