Disney’s FINDING NEMO JR
Book, Music and Lyrics by KRISTEN ANDERSON-LOPEZ and ROBERT LOPEZ
Book Adapted by LINDSAY ANDERSON
Music and Orchestrations Adapted and Arranged by MYRNA CONN
Directed by Joanna Chabot
Music Directed by Delaney Wenger
Disney’s Finding Nemo JR. is a 60-minute musical adaptation of the beloved 2003 Pixar movie Finding Nemo, with new music by award-winning songwriting team Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez. Marlin, an anxious and over-protective clownfish, lives in the Great Barrier Reef with his kid Nemo, who longs to explore the world beyond their anemone home. But when Nemo is captured and taken to Sydney, Marlin faces his fears and sets off on an epic adventure across the ocean. With the help of lovable characters such as optimistic Dory, laid-back sea turtle Crush, and the supportive Tank Gang, Marlin and Nemo both overcome challenges on their journey to find each other and themselves.
Featuring memorable songs such as “Just Keep Swimming,” “Fish Are Friends Not Food,” and “Go With the Flow,” Finding Nemo JR. brings a vibrant underwater world to life on stage in a story full of family, friendship, and adventure.
REHEARSAL AND PRODUCTION DATES/DETAILS:
This production is open to young performers Grades 5 – Age 18.
Rehearsals will begin the week of September 18 or 25. Rehearsals will take place Monday-Thursday evenings from 6:30-9:30 PM and Saturdays from 10AM-1PM. Sundays may be added closer to tech. No one will be called to every single rehearsal. Please come prepared to list any conflicts from September 18-October 29. No tech week or performance conflicts will be accepted.
The production will take place at The Firehouse Theatre. The production dates are October 26-29, Thursdays-Saturdays at 7:30 PM, and Saturdays and Sundays at 2:30 PM.
The tuition for this production will be $400. Need-based scholarships are available and can be applied for at this link: Need Based Scholarship Application. Scholarship applications must be filled out before auditions/casting. Best efforts will be made to cast every student who auditions. Please note that The Firehouse does NOT require parent volunteer hours, nor a minimum of tickets purchased/sold. There may be some costume requests (such as shoes or other basics), but the vast majority of costume pieces will be provided. Additionally, each family is given two complimentary tickets.
AUDITION INFO:
Auditions will take place at The Firehouse Theatre (2535 Valley View Lane Farmers Branch, TX 75234) on Sunday, August 27 from 2-7PM.
You may sign up for an audition time at this link:
A parent/guardian will need to fill out this form along with/for their student:
You may also choose to send in an audition video via the same audition form, filming the material listed below.
AUDITION MATERIAL:
All students will sing the song “That’s My Dad” from the show. Sheet music, guide vocal track, and accompaniment track can be found at this link:
Finding Nemo JR Audition Material.
This link also contains sides which students may be asked to read as well.
Any additional questions may be sent to production@thefirehousetheatre.com. Please do not call the box office.
CHARACTER BREAKDOWN**:
NEMO, a curious young clownfish who brims with excitement to explore the wonders that
lie beyond the Great Barrier Reef. Born with a “lucky fin” – or what humans would call a limb difference – Nemo quickly learns that the world possesses incredible dangers in addition to
the promise of big adventures. By making new friends, finding strength within, and practicing teamwork, Nemo transforms into a capable and brave leader, able to self-advocate and take on challenges big and small.
MARLIN, an anxious clownfish and Nemo’s overprotective father, who, after the tragic death of his wife Coral, prefers the safety of his anemone to the frightening unknowns of the open ocean. Forced to travel across the sea in search of Nemo, Marlin develops the courage
to face the unpredictable ocean and the wisdom to trust others – including his own kid.
DORY, an optimistic and bubbly blue tang, experiences frequent short-term memory loss and finds herself wandering through the ocean with no place to call home. Sparking friendships with whomever she meets, Dory immediately offers to help Marlin find his lost child, and the two set out on an adventurous journey through the ocean. Along the way, Dory’s kindness and bright spirit ease Marlin’s fears, and the unlikely duo finds comfort and family in each other.
CORAL, a loving mother-to-be clownfish, married to Marlin, who will stop at nothing to protect her eggs.
REEF KIDS and REEF PARENTS, includes:
PEARL, a friendly flapjack octopus who is quick to befriend Nemo.
PEARL’S PARENT
SHELDON, an H2O-intolerant seahorse with an appetite for trouble who taunts Nemo to swim beyond the reef.
SHELDON’S PARENT
TAD, a self-admittedly obnoxious butterflyfish who joins Sheldon in encouraging Nemo to swim past the Drop-Off.
TAD’S PARENT
PROFESSOR RAY, a stingray and Nemo’s enthusiastic teacher, takes pride in sharing the curiosities and marvels of the world with the class and encourages every student to be a brave explorer.
SCUBA MASK DANCER, a performer responsible for floating the diver’s mask through the water whenever it appears onstage.
BRUCE, an intimidating great white shark, is the sharks’ ringleader. Despite Bruce’s best efforts to adopt a vegetarian diet, Bruce loses control and is sent into a frenzy, threatening to devour every fish in sight.
CHUM and ANCHOR, two of Bruce’s shark friends, try to live vegetarian lifestyles but are eventually forced to restrain an out-of- control Bruce from eating innocent fish.
TANK GANG, a friendly and resilient group of fish who help Nemo escape the Sydney Harbour Aquarium and return to the ocean, includes:
BUBBLES, a yellow tang who is captivated by bubbles, is the first to welcome Nemo to the tank.
BLOAT, an open-minded and supportive blowfish, is proud to be part of the Tank Gang family and helps keep everyone’s spirits up, even when things seem bleak.
GURGLE, frightened of strangers and the germs they carry with them, is a royal gramma who enjoys the safety and regulated cleanliness of the tank.
PEACH, a mature and down-to-earth starfish, offers guidance and reassurance to all those who need it. Cast an actor who can warmly play this supportive and seasoned aquarium- dweller.
GILL, a relentless and inspiring leader who will stop at nothing to return to the freedom of the ocean. This Moorish idol fish believes in the Tank Gang and concocts countless plans to bust them out of the aquarium. Gill is the first fish Nemo has ever met with a similar “fin difference,” quickly becoming a mentor and inspiration for the young clownfish.
NIGEL, a sharp-eyed pelican, is the Tank Gang’s feathered friend and only connection to the outside world. This bird is someone you can count on to know all the latest news on the happenings of Sydney Harbour.
CRUSH, a 150-year-old sea turtle who knows how to hang loose, teaches Marlin a thing or two
about being a good parent. Look for a strong singer who can confidently belt “Go With the Flow” to make it a truly radical jam.
SQUIRT, offspring of CRUSH, fearlessly twirls through turbulent waters of the ocean and enjoys trying out cool new moves in the high- speed EAC.
SEA CHORUS, the general ensemble, creating the environment of the play and becoming the characters that Marlin and Dory interact with on their journey to Sydney. The Sea Chorus will be filled with various species of sea creatures such as :
ANGELFISH, DAMSELFISH, and BARRACUDA, featured fish in the “Prologue”
MOONFISH (1–6), a shapeshifting school of fish who offer helpful directions to Dory and Marlin on their journey to find Nemo.
JELLYFISH, of all shapes and sizes swarm Marlin and Dory, stinging them with their charged and dangerous tentacles. Many Jellyfish are needed in “Just Keep Swimming (Part 2)” to create the treacherous minefield that Marlin and Dory traverse.
SEA TURTLES (1 & 2), GROUPER, LOBSTERS (1 & 2), OCTOPUSES (1 & 2), ELECTRIC EELS (1 & 2), and SEAHORSES (1 & 2) spread the news of Marlin’s journey across the ocean.
**Depending on audition turnout, some select adult roles may be played by professional adult mentor actors
The Firehouse Theatre is committed to cultivating a creative environment that is inclusive of all peoples, honoring of cultures and communities, diverse across various layers of the organization, equitable in matters of policy and practice, intentional and thoughtful about building cultural competence, demonstrating our values through our actions and behaviors, and supportive of our local community.