Sarasota Opera Seeks Child Performer for MADAMA BUTTERFLY

Sarasota Opera is casting to find three children (boy or girl) to portray Butterfly's son in the 2017 Winter production of Puccini's Madama Butterfly. Interviews for this role will be scheduled for early January.

This is a volunteer position and the period of commitment will be from January 17 through March 25, 2017. Availability days, evenings and weekends is required however rehearsals and performances are not daily.

In the opera, the character is three year's old. Sarasota Opera is seeking children who are:

· 4 - 7 years old but look younger

· Light in weight (approximately 45lbs)

· Willing to have adult performers sing loudly near them

· Well behaved and can quickly follow directions

· Note: girls must be willing to dress as a boy

At the interview, the stage director will interview the children. The children will have an opportunity to meet some of the cast members of Madama Butterfly. Children do not have to prepare anything to attend this super call.

If you would like your child to be considered for this unique opportunity, please email a photo along with your child's height and weight to Director of Artistic Administrator Greg Trupiano at gtrupiano@sarasotaopera.org or at 941-366-8450, ext. 534.

Based on Florida's beautiful Gulf Coast, Sarasota Opera recently completed its 57th consecutive season and the final season of the company's internationally acclaimed Verdi Cycle making it the only company in the world to have performed every work of Giuseppe Verdi.

In 1960, the company began presenting chamber-sized repertoire in the historic 320-seat Asolo Theater on the grounds of Sarasota's Ringling Museum of Art. Recognizing the need for a theater more conducive to opera, the company purchased the former A.B. Edwards Theater in downtown Sarasota in 1979 and first performing in it in 1984 as the Sarasota Opera House. The theater has just undergone a $20 million renovation and rehabilitation enhancing audience amenities, while updating the technical facilities including increasing the size of the orchestra pit. The theater, which reopened in March 2008, has been called "one of America's finest venues for opera" by Musical America.

Since 1983, the company has been under the artistic leadership of Victor DeRenzi and administrative leadership of Executive Director Richard Russell since 2012. The company has garnered international attention with its Masterwork Revivals Series, which presents neglected works of artistic merit, as well as the Verdi Cycle producing the complete works of Giuseppe Verdi. Recognizing the importance of training, Maestro DeRenzi founded the Apprentice Artist and Studio Artist programs. Sarasota Opera also maintains a commitment to education through its Invitation to Opera performances for local schools and the unique Sarasota Youth Opera program.

Sarasota Opera is sponsored in part by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs, the Florida Arts Council, and the National Endowment for the Arts. Programs are supported in part by an award the Tourist Development Tax through the Board of County Commissioners, the Tourist Development Council and the Sarasota County Arts Council. Additional funding is provided by the City of Sarasota and the County of Sarasota.