Tiny voices and booming voices echoed through the auditorium Monday as area students took a shot at becoming an on-stage actor.

A record 123 students auditioned for parts up for grabs in the latest production of the Missoula Children’s Theater group in town this week.

Hosted by the Brewton Council of the Arts, Missoula’s personnel came armed with scripts, costumes and sets to ready for a production of “The Wizard of Oz” this Saturday.

Madelyn Cave, BCA officer, said the student participation for the 2013 production is encouraging.

“We have more older children participating this year than in years past,” Cave said. “We also have more boys trying out this year.”

Missoula directors Dan Watson and James Scotland IV are working in Brewton with actors for their first time.

“The judges were impressed with the talent and participation from our community,” Cave said.  “This was our largest turnout yet, with the stage not holding all of the students in a circle and having to make an ‘S’ formation to get everyone in line. What a great problem to have. The directors said that casting was very difficult because they had so many great kids to choose from. They said they actually could have cast two shows from our group because they all did such an outstanding job.”

Students chosen for roles began rehearsal immediately and will continue through the week in sessions held each afternoon and evening.

Chosen for principal roles were: Dorothy: Chelsea Blunt; Toto: Evangeline Moore; Lion: Shayn Bradley; Tin Man: Ryan Garmeson; Glinda: Auburn Jernigan; Wicked Witch: Katherine Moore; Oz: Dan Condrey; Green Guard: Gage Parker; Mayor Munchkin: Jessica Day; Farmer Munchkin: Christian Bradley. Assistant directors will be Jordan Blunt, Jennifer Dunn, Alissa Harvell and Crimson Rose.

The performance of The Wizard of Oz will be held at 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 23 in the Woodfin Patterson Auditorium on the campus of Jefferson Davis Community College on Alco Drive.