Community briefs

‘West Side’ auditions

The auditions for “West Side Story” may be virtual, but the Sunnyvale Community Players intend to stage a live version of the classic musical in the fall.

The company is holding auditions through Sunday, with performances Sept. 11-Oct. 3. All actors will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 at least 14 days before rehearsals start on July 19.

The Players’ decision to produce a live show comes after the state’s announcement that indoor events and conferences can resume in eligible areas, including Santa Clara County.

“Audience size may be reduced or need to wear masks or likely be vaccinated to buy a ticket,” reads a statement from the company. “We don’t know for certain, but we do know that live theater must restart!”

To make sure it restarts safely, the company “will continue to closely monitor state and federal health guidelines and will strictly adhere to all guidelines as they develop. … We will work with the county to ensure compliance with the updated rules in place in September.”

The Players have a backup plan to produce the show outdoors for a live audience. Interested performers can submit auditions to https:// westsidestoryscp.castingcrane.com.

Compassionate contest

Seventh and eighth graders in Santa Clara County can become Ambassadors of Compassion by submitting their fiction or nonfiction story on the theme of animals and people helping each other to the Palo Alto Humane Society’s writing contest.

The winning author will receive $500, and two runners-up will receive $200 each. Their winning stories will be published by the Humane Society and will be a highlight of its 2021 Creating Compassionate Communities campaign.

Stories must be original and be 800-1,000 words, and they must be submitted by midnight on

May 31. For competition guidelines and a submission form, visit https://www.paloaltohumane. org/humane-news and scroll down to March 4.