More than 500 community members turned out for a casting call at TV studios on the campus of Michigan State University on Saturday, May 7, for the WKAR original series, Curious Crew.
"It was so exciting to see all the [kids] faces!" said Susi Elkins, WKAR TV station manager.
Ranging in age from 9 to 14, 230 children came from across mid-Michigan and as far as Ann Arbor and Metro Detroit. If chosen, they will join the cast of Curious Crew, the show that invites viewers to explore science through hands-on investigation.
"It's a fun TV show, but it's also about engaging young children around science concepts," said Elkins.
Holt resident Melissa said the event was "well organized" and that the staff was great. She also admired the kids' performances.
Parents and guardians watched from afar as each child conducted a mini screen test for Tim Zeko, TV executive producer and Matt Ottinger, producer and host of QuizBusters. Another key part of the audition brought the young scientists together to take on the Team Challenge.
Out of the large number of attendees, 45 will be chosen to participate in the TV show.
"We're reviewing all of the auditions now and I'm confident we'll have a great cast to help host Rob Stephenson explore scientific investigations in the coming season," said Zeko.
Selected cast members will be notified in late May 2016.
New episodes will be recorded on location at Impression 5 Science Center in June and August 2016. Upon the completion of production the new season will debut on WKAR-TV in late 2016 or early 2017.
