Scene & Heard

+ Future opera stars wanted
The Sarasota Youth Opera program seeks new and returning young singers ages 8 to 18 for its 2011-2012 season.

Enrollment night for returning singers takes place from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 30, and for new singers from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 1, at the Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Ave. The event is an opportunity for kids and families to meet the staff, tour the Opera House and participate in a mini-rehearsal. Actual rehearsals begin the following week, and the fall session begins in September.

Youth opera members will be eligible to audition for the children’s chorus in the opera’s winter festival productions of Georges Bizet’s “Carmen” and Giuseppe Verdi’s “Otello.” Preparations for a world premiere piece will begin in fall 2012. Call 366-8450, Ext. 249.

+ Key Chorale casting seasoned singers
Sarasota-based symphonic chorus Key Chorale will hold auditions for singers wishing to participate in its 2011-2012 upcoming season, which includes performances of “Cirque des Voix,” a new art form created in collaboration with Circus Sarasota. The season also includes performances of Benjamin Britten’s “Saint Nicholas,” Mozart’s “Vespers” and a concert with the Jacobites Pipe Band.

Each candidate will be required to read music with reasonable proficiency, prepare a solo piece to be sung with piano accompaniment and will be tested on rhythmic precision.

Auditions will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 30, at First United Congregational Church, 1031 S. Euclid Ave. Call 924-0790 for appointments.

+ Golden Apple submits nonprofit application
The Golden Apple Dinner Theatre has filed its application for approval as a 501c3 tax-exempt organization and is now accepting monetary donations — tax deductible upon IRS approval — for PLATO (Professional Learning and Theatrical Organization).

Its board of directors includes Eva Slane, Shirley Brown, Mary Ann Robinson, Peter Magnuson, David Shugol, Ameriprise Financial Services and Hal Cadle.

PLATO’s mission will be to function as a nonprofit charitable organization that educates, encourages and provides training to individuals for acting, singing and dancing professions, theater management and the staging of theatrical performances.

To donate, call 366-5454, visit www.thegoldenapple.com or send snail mail to Professional Learning and Theatrical Organization, 25 N. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota, Fla., 34236.

+ Players Theatre names festival winner
The Players Theatre recently announced that Sheila Cowley’s play, “Stay,” is the winner of the 2011 Players New Play Reading Festival Competition, held Aug. 8 through Aug. 13. The play, which reads like a dramatic thriller, revolves around an eye surgeon who, to keep her husband from leaving her, convinces him that he was blinded in an accident.

“It was another eclectic and inspiring week of new plays at The Players Theatre,” Artistic Director Jeffery Kin said. “I really love this process and need to congratulate all of our amazing playwrights. It was an exciting week of witnessing the birth of brand-new plays. I’m proud The Players has made room for the development of local works by local artists all these years.”

This year’s panel of eight judges read more than 25 plays and chose six finalists, including Cowley’s play: “Here He Comes to Save the Day,” by Daniel Yerman; “The Doctor in Spite of Himself,” by Katherine Sogolow; “Connections,” by Dylan Jones; “The American Suitor,” by Ed Stevens; and “For Love or Mummy,” by Paige Johnson.

“Stay” will be produced as part of the Summer Sizzler Series Aug. 9 through Aug. 12, 2012.

HOT TICKETS
Ultra White Affair returns for fourth year: Bring out your bright whites for this year’s Ultra White Affair, to be held from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. Friday, Aug. 26, at G.WIZ, 1001 Blvd. of the Arts. Spearheaded by Drummerboy Entertainment, partygoers are asked to bring gently used clothing, household and school supplies and non-perishable food donations to support the needs of local social services agencies. The 2011 beneficiary of the event is Goodwill Manasota.

Tickets are $10 to $30. Call 351-7947 or visit www.ultrawhiteaffair.com.