Sarasota Opera looks to beat Peter Jackson to the punch with the Sarasota Youth Opera’s presentation of The Hobbit this Saturday and Sunday. Celebrating 30 years bringing youth into the fold, this year’s production of J.R.R. Tolkien’s classic features over 90 young performers ranging in age from 8-18 performing on the Sarasota Opera House mainstage.

“Our primary goal is to break away the mystique of opera and make them understand that this kind of art is not to be feared, it’s something to be involved in,” said Sarasota Opera Executive Director Richard Russell. “We’re the only company in the U.S. that makes this sustained commitment to an education program.”

And it is a commitment. Youth Opera shows are full productions with sets, costumes, orchestras and fully choreographed numbers. No expense is spared; the only thing smaller than usual are the performers themselves.

“The fact that we do a full-scale production is very important,” said Ben Plocher, Youth Opera director, who joined the company in 2011. “Instead of learning passively, through observation, they get to be part of the experience and learn by doing.”

But while this means a lot of work for the Opera, it also demands much from the young performers, who can expect to rehearse at least three times a week, sometimes everyday, once staging begins and the performance nears. This all in addition to what Plocher calls the performers’ “full-time jobs” as students and “part-time jobs” with other extracurricular commitments.

Plocher’s terminology is revealing of how the Opera views the youth performers–as performers first, youth second.

“I’ve never been in a professional production like this before,” said Serenna Jones, a 16-year-old from Out-of-Door Academy who plays multiple characters in The Hobbit, including a wood elf and Bolg the goblin. “It’s a fun experience and the stress is enjoyable because it’s fun.”

Coming from Orlando, where she took voice lessons and performed in the more recital-esque settings offered by Florida Opera Theatre, Jones dove into Sarasota Youth Opera with both feet this year and landed parts in The Hobbit and as a youth performer in Pagliacci.

“Compared to what I used to do, it’s much easier to perform, to put yourself in the character’s shoes,” said Jones. “I’m really happy that there’s opportunity, especially at this level.”

As director of the program, Plocher understands the sentiment and sees it reflected in his young charges. It’s their excitement that drives him and led him to restage The Hobbit, which made its U.S. debut with the Sarasota Youth Opera in 2008.

“We really wanted to do a show that was representative of the impact and quality that we provide,” said Plocher. “But also the kids really love it. They’ve been asking ever since I got here, ‘Are we ever gonna do The Hobbit again?’”

Ask Plocher if he feels intimidated competing with the conclusion of Jackson’s version, spanning four years and three movies, and he only laughs.

“You can see the whole story with us in only two hours.”

The Hobbit will be performed at the Sarasota Opera House on Nov. 15 at 7pm and Nov. 16 at 1:30pm. Pagliacci runs tonight at 8pm, Nov. 13 at 8pm and Nov. 15 at 1:30pm.