Viewfinder: Munchkins Audition for Roles in Jewish Academy Musical

Several dozen young people from various area elementary schools and middle schools came to on Tuesday to audition for small roles in the school's biggest play.

Performing Arts Department choreographer Kelly Beck said auditions of the students from schools including , , Akiva Hebrew Day School in Southfield and Hillel Day School of Farmington Hills were "fantastic" and that having the younger children around was a "fun change of pace" from the high school English classes she teaches at FJA.

The children were auditioning for 30 separate parts of Munchkins in the school's production of The Wizard of Oz.

Oz, which will open Dec. 8, will have upwards of 60 cast members, making it the largest play in terms of cast size in the private high school's 10-year history, according to Mitch Master, director of performing arts. Master added that it will also be the first FJA musical done at the , which opened in March.

"It's going to be a great show," said orchestra director Amy Sauve.