CASTING CALLS is a free listing of creative opportunities in our area that runs on a weekly Entertainment page. Items must include relevant dates to be run and MUST have an ending date. Items run as space allows. The deadline is the previous Thursday, by 8 a.m. Email is the best way to submit, features@recorder.com. Questions? Call 413-772-0261, ext. 276.

Call for artists: Local artists can apply to show their work in the Hosmer Gallery in 2017/2018. All media, ideas invited. Application deadline is Feb. 5. 413-587-1013. Hosmer Gallery at Forbes Library, 20 West St., Northampton. fkaufmann@forbeslibrary.org

26th Annual Poet’s Seat Poetry Contest: The Friends of the Greenfield Public Library is seeking poems for the contest open to all Franklin County residents and students. Submit up to three poems. The deadline is March 6.

The contest has been sponsored by the Friends of the Greenfield Public Library annually since 1991. The competition is held in honor of Frederick Goddard Tuckerman, who lived in Greenfield from 1847 until his death in 1873 and was considered by his contemporaries — Emerson, Thoreau, and Tennyson — to be a gifted poet.

Awards will be given in three categories: first, second, and third place in the adult division and the four top poems in the youth division — ages 12 to 18 (divided into 12 to 14 and 15 to 18 for judging).

In honor of National Poetry Month, the Poet’s Seat awards ceremony and poetry reading will take place Thursday, April 27, at 7 p.m. in the Capen room at Stoneleigh-Burnham School.

The adult first prize winner will receive stewardship of the Poet’s Seat chair, with their name on a plaque listing all the previous winners, as well as a handcrafted Poet’s Platter, a gift certificate to a local bookstore and a night at the Poetry Ridge Bed and Breakfast. All other winners will receive a handcrafted mug along with a gift certificate to a local bookstore.

Submit up to three poems. Number the pages of multi-page poems. Indicate “Adult” or “Young Poet.” Young Poets should write their age on the front of the sheet where the poem appears, lower right-hand corner, circled. No identifying information on front of sheet and no staples.

On reverse side of poem, write name of poet, address, telephone number and email address. Poems will not be returned. Submit on white paper, printed clearly in ink or typed in plain typeface. Include SASE for notification of receipt of entry; otherwise notification will be via email. Only unpublished poems may be submitted. Previous first-place winners may not submit poems, though top-placing youth poets may re-submit when they enter a new age category. Entries must be received by March 6 (postmarked). Mail to: Poet’s Seat Poetry Contest, Greenfield Public Library, 402 Main St., Greenfield, MA 01301. For more information, contact Hope Schneider at 772-0257 or email her at: hopeschneider395@comcast.net

Small Works Art Exhibit and Sale: Sawmill River Arts Gallery at The Montague Mill will hold the exhibit and sale in February. All artists are welcome to submit one or two original art works, but they must be no larger than 6 inches by 6 inches. Registration ongoing. Forms and details available at: www.sawmillriverarts.com or at the gallery. For more information, call 413-367-2885.

Silverthorne Theater Company is looking for performers for its upcoming production of the classic cabaret musical, “Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris.” It will be performed April 20 through 22 and April 27 through 29 at The Arts Block on Main Street in Greenfield. Chris Rohmann will direct. Auditions are by appointment only. The production will be set in a Parisian café where the performers are the staff and the audience members are the patrons. The score features some of the great Belgian/French songwriter’s most memorable songs in elegant English translations. They range from love ballads and comic novelties to social satire and poignant memory pieces.

The company is seeking two singer/actors for two of the four roles — a female soprano/mezzo and male tenor/high baritone.

Auditions dates are Sunday, Jan. 29, from 1 to 4 p.m. and Tuesday, Jan. 31, from 7 to 9 p.m. Location will be announced. There will be callbacks, if necessary. Call 413-768-7514 or email: silverthornetheater@gmail.com for information.

Franklin County Bar Association is seeking art donations for the benefit of the Thomas W. Merrigan Memorial Scholarship fund for Franklin County high school students. The auction will be held Feb. 24 from 4:30 to 8 p.m. at the Arts Block, 289 Main St. in Greenfield. Deadline for submissions is Feb. 23. For more information, email: sgoldberg@sirigoldberg.com or visit: www.franklincountybar.org

Auditions for Shakespeare in the Park 2017. “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” Vermont Theatre Company announces its auditions for its 28th annual Shakespeare in the Park, which will be performed in Brattleboro’s Living Memorial Park June 29 through July 2, and July 7 through 9l.

Auditions will be held in the Brattleboro Union High School Auditorium on Sunday at 2 p.m. and Monday at 6 p.m. Actors are asked to prepare 12 lines of Shakespeare — memorized or read — to perform at the audition. The director will also ask actors to do an acting exercise. For more information, contact Director Jessica Gelter at jessica.gelter@gmail.com

UMass auditions: Jan. 30, 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. and Jan. 31, 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. UMass Play Lab holds auditions for “Life Defying Acts” and “I Love Susan.” Fine Arts Center 204, UMass, Amherst. 545-3490.

Auditions for Ta’zieh – Between Two Rivers: Jan. 30, and Jan. 31, 6 to 10 p.m. Curtain Theater, UMass FAC, Amherst. 545-3490.