CHICAGO TALENT ENTERPRISES INC.
Presents
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 the Chicago and Illinois entertainment community.
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.
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.
Verified talent profiles are intended to be free.
No. Chicago Talent Directory® is committed to visibility based on fit, qualifications, and search criteria rather than who spends the most money.
VISIBILITY IS NOT FOR SALE.
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 entertainment.
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.
© 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
Officially Recognized by the Illinois Film Office -- 1991
Roadmap Faq
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?
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?
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?
Roadmap
BELOW
Roadmap
This roadmap provides general direction and may evolve as development continues and industry feedback is received.
FAQ
Roadmap
Where We've Been • Where We Are • What's Coming
Chicago Talent Directory® is returning in carefully planned phases as a modern resource
dedicated exclusively to Chicago and Illinois talent,
casting professionals, theaters, producers, agencies, and talent-related businesses and services.
For those looking to produce projects in Chicago and Illinois
Chicago Talent Directory® is being developed as a local-first directory for
discovering the talent, opportunities, and professional resources that support Chicago and Illinois entertainment.
The Goal remains the same as when Chicago Talent Directory® began in 1985:
Making local talent, opportunities, and industry resources
more visible, searchable, connected, and useful.
Foundation Work
Completed / Ongoing Behind the Scenes
• Industry research, archive preservation, historical documentation, technology evaluation, planning, and development.
Goal: Build a strong foundation for the modern Chicago Talent Directory® while preserving its history and purpose.
Learn More at the 'FOUNDATION WORK FAQ' below
Reintroducing Chicago Talent Directory®
Current Phase
Current efforts include:s
• Chicago Talent Directory® history and archives
• Press and recognition • Industry information and resources
• Project updates • Future development plans
Goal: Re-establish Chicago Talent Directory® as a trusted Chicago and Illinois entertainment-industry resource.
Learn More at the 'REINTRODUCING CHICAGO TALENT DIRECTORY® FAQ' below
Auditions, Events & Industry Resources
Planned Phase
Planned additions include:
• Audition listings and casting notices • Industry event listings
• Workshop and educational event announcements
• Casting director and casting office listings
• Talent agency listings • Modeling agency listings • Voiceover agency listings
• Search and filtering tools • Moderated submissions
• Limited advertising and supporter opportunities may be introduced during this phase.
Goal: Make Chicago and Illinois opportunities and industry resources easier to discover, explore, and follow.
Learn More at the 'AUDITIONS, EVENTS & INDUSTRY RESOURCES FAQ' below
Talent-Related Businesses & Professional Resources
Future Phase
Planned additions include:
• Photographers and headshot services • Acting, voiceover, and performance coaches
• Classes, schools, and training programs • Makeup artists and stylists
• Demo reel and audition-preparation services • Talent marketing and promotional resources
• Entertainment-industry organizations • Expanded verified business listings
• Additional advertising opportunities
Goal: Connect talent with trusted Chicago and Illinois businesses and services that support
professional growth, visibility, and career development.
Learn More at the 'TALENT-RELATED BUSINESSES & PROFESSIONAL RESOURCES FAQ' below
Education & Professional Development
Future Phase
Potential additions include:
• Talent-marketing seminars • Professional-development workshops
• Industry panels and discussions • Educational resources
• Career-development guidance • Special presentations and events
• Chicago Talent Directory® Talent Profile Launch Event
• Annual Chicago Talent Directory® Profile & Professional Development Day
Goal: Continue the Chicago Talent Directory® tradition of helping talent better understand
the business side of professional careers while improving professional presentation and visibility.
Learn More at the 'EDUCATION & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FAQ' below
Verified Talent Profiles
Future Phase
Planned additions include:
• FREE location verified talent profiles
• Photos • Video • Audio
• Credits and professional information • Representation details
• Searchable professional attributes • Location-based discovery tools
Goal: Increase the visibility and discoverability of Chicago and Illinois talent.
Learn More at the 'VERIFIED TALENT PROFILES FAQ' below
Casting & Production Tools
Future Phase
Potential future additions may include enhanced search tools, saved searches, organizational tools,
and other features designed to support professional talent discovery.
Goal: Help verified industry professionals work more efficiently with local talent and resources.
Learn More at the 'CASTING & PRODUCTION TOOLS FAQ' below
#OnSetChicago • #OnSetIllinois
Future Exploration
Potential future additions include:
• Industry news • Interviews • Talent features
• Production highlights • Community updates • Professional-development articles
• A digital continuation of historic Chicago Talent Directory® features and departments,
including Curtain Call, SRO, InFocus, and other recurring editorial content
Goal: Celebrate, document, and promote the people, projects, accomplishments, and contributions
that help shape Chicago and Illinois entertainment.
Learn More at the '#ONSETCHICAGO • #ONSETILLINOIS FAQ' below