Casting extras in Chicago for 2026 season on Showtime’s “The Chi”.
This page has been updated for the 2026 season 8 of The Chi.
The Showtime series, The Chi, is coming back for season 8 and is currently in production in the Chicago area.
The Chi is created by Boomerang creator Lena Waithe and produced by Fox 21 Television Studios. Lena Waithe won an Emmy for Netflix’s Master of None. Lena Waithe also exec. produces The Chi along with fellow producers, Common, Ayanna Floyd Davis, Aaron Kaplan, Rick Famuyiwa, Derek Dudley and Shelby Stone.
The show is a look into life in a notoriously rough neighborhood of Chicago’s south side and a group of young adults who live there. The Chi stars Jason Mitchell, Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine, Jacob Latimore, Alex Hibbert, Yolonda Ross and Armando Riesco.
According to producers, Season 8 is the last season started filming on 01/14/26.
See more shows that are also filming in the state of Illinois
About The Show:
The South Side of Chicago carries daily danger, and the smallest and simplest of decisions can have life or death consequences for the residents. Life continues as the kids prep for school and their parents shuffle off to work.
The young adults of the area are trying to scrape a living for themselves, while the elders sit on their front porches and observe the goings on.
The South Side has the potential to crush dreams, and this coming-of-age series focuses on Kevin, a preteen who embraces the normal rites of childhood, Brandon, who makes a leap of faith to succeed in love and life with Jerrika, Emmett, who seeks guidance from his mother, and Ronnie, who is a drifter struggling to be loved. All of them are linked together by sheer coincidence as they seek redemption.
CASTING CALL -THE CHI – Chicago Area ONLY.
RUSH CALL – PROJECT: THE CHI
PROJECT: THE CHI SEASON 8 – Showtime
ROLE: NAIL TECHS
FILM DATE: TBD
TENTATIVE CALL TIME: TBD
LOCATION: CHICAGO, IL
RATE: $132.80/8LOOKING FOR WOMEN WHO CAN PLAY THE FOLLOWING:
NAIL TECHS, African American/Latin/Asian, Age 20-45 yrs old (MUST BE A REAL MANICURIST/NAIL TECH OR IN SCHOOL)
You MUST have an EP CASTING PROFILE TO BE CONSIDEREDEntertainment Partners, the parent company of the POP platform – now known as the EP Casting Portal – that we use at 4 Star Casting, has sent an email saying that you will need to reset your password and set up two-step authentication moving forward.
Multi-factor Authentication (MFA) will be required for all users accessing the 4 Star Casting EP Casting Portal!
MFA enhances security and reduces the risk of unauthorized access by providing an extra layer of protection.
What You Need to Do:
You must reset your password and set up MFA on your mobile device before logging in to the platform. Step-by-step instructions can be found at https://www.ep.com/mfa/castingportal/
A dedicated support team is standing by to help you 24/7, should you need assistance. Hit the Contact Button and select “Crew, Talent and Background Support.”
If easier, you can visit our website at www.4starcasting.com, then hit the “Log into the EP Casting Portal” tab. If you hover over the tab, there is a “MFA Instruction Page” to assist as well. The easiest method is downloading the suggested APP PingID to your phone.
If you are having issues with MFA, you can contact EP at 855-476-0612 for assistance. If your account is still locked out once the MFA is corrected, let 4 Star Casting know that you need your account unlocked and that you need to be sent a login link.
If interested and available, and have your EP Casting Portal Profile complete, please send an email to: extras4thechi@gmail.com with the following:
1) Subject Line: REAL NAIL TECH OR IN SCHOOL FOR NAILS
2) In the submission email include name, age range, height, weight, city and zip, phone, email.
3) Attach a current, right-now photo of your face and full body in JPEG format. Make sure the photo is taken with decent lighting. The lighting should reflect your actual skin tone.
*NOTE: Rename the title of your photos with your Full Name. You should do this with all your submission photos.
4) Please confirm your mode of transportation, i.e. Uber, Bus, Own Vehicle, etc.
5) Confirm you are good with Atmospheric Smoke? Yes or No
6) Have you completed the questionnaire for Season 8?
To be considered, you must register with us at www.4starcasting.com. Your submission will be deleted if you do not complete it with photos and answer all the questions.
Please check your spam/promo/junk folder to confirm you have not already received an availability check. We sent a bunch out earlier today.
To Whom it may Concern:
My name is Coach Haki McLaurin ,
currently work with at risk youth in Chicago Illinois. I also coach a plethora of sports. For the teacher (extra position) but I didn’t see it offered on the website only on the Instagram post are you guys still accepting tryouts. Will bring the authenticity to the roll with a natural feel for any situation. Working with kids that do not listen I work with kids that use a plethora amount of curse words and I also work with some angels. I just said that to say that I think I’ll be a great fit please let me know if there is still an opening.
Best Regards,
I love acting, hard work and working with people.
Extra work is the foundation of bringing a scene to life. Those who Love acting will put as much heart and sole into their background role as their foreground roles. The joy of storytelling and being around other artists in the industry is like a drug. Enjoy and act your parts well family.