Finding Nemo Junior Playbill

10th Anniversary Season Youth Theatre Company 2023-2024

JULY 12TH - 14TH, 2024 ROBERT G. REIM THEATRE

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YOUTH EDITION

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July 26th-28th www.gcpastl.org/tickets

2024-2025 CLASSES

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“You raised my voice up, taught me not to fear. I’ve learned who I am

because you’re here...”-School of Rock “Just like that tune, simple and clear, I’ve come to hear new music.

Breaking my heart, open’ing a door,

changing the world...”

-Ragtime

Thank you to our 2023-2024 Sponsors!

Presenting Sponsors

Patron Sponsors

BENGTS N THE

FAMILY

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il y

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A

ANONYMOUS DONOR

Gateway Center for Performing Arts' Youth Theatre Company Production Of

Book By Lindsay Anderson

Music By Kristen Anderson-Lopez

Lyrics By Robert Lopez

CREATIVE AND CREW Director Annalise McCann

Music Director Sarah Vlodek

Stage Manager Abbey Paul Lighting Design Tanner Douglas Costume Design Megan Bates

Choreographer Stephanie Fox

Production Assistant Amelia Pozzo

Set Design Eddie Teshara

Sound Design Rocco Stolze

Costume Assistants Rebekah Williams & Christy Timberlake

Props Design Laura Skroska Technical Director Eddie Teshara

Scenic Artist Tobias Reynolds Artistic Director Stephanie Fox

Stage Crew Sierra Hale, Alli Thelen

Marketing Ashleigh Blevins & Taijha Silas

Marketing Assistant Susannah Egley

Production Photographer Abbey Paul

Artistic Director’s Note Welcome to the GCPA Youth Theatre Company’s monumental 10th season! As we celebrate this milestone, our commitment to delivering challenging, thoughtprovoking and “out-of-the-box” youth theatre experiences remains unwavering. We are ready to embark on a season filled with laughter, gorgeous music, epic dances, and transformative stories, inviting you to be immersed in the magic of live theater.

In this season’s Mainstage productions, we invite you to rock out with School of Rock, a high-energy adaptation of the Jack Black film that showcases the power of music to inspire and uplift. Following this, we delve into the rich tapestry of Ragtime, a poignant exploration of diverse lives interwoven by the threads of history and music.

Two distinct narratives, united by the universal language of melody, promise to captivate your senses and leave you humming tunes long after the curtain falls.

This summer, our theatrical voyage takes a plunge—first into the depths of the ocean with Finding Nemo. This registration-based show caters to all young enthusiasts, offering a KIDS version for ages 6-11 and a JUNIOR version for ages 11-14. Dive into the enchanting world of GCPA magic without the pressure of formal auditions.

Performers learn and practice the process of preparing and skill building, auditioning, casting, rehearsing and performing, all as part of the program! They will experience full GCPA production value, bringing to life the heartwarming tale of Nemo’s underwater escapades.

Our middle school audition-based production gets some underwater fun as well, with SpongeBob the Musical: Youth Edition. Join SpongeBob and your beloved Bikini Bottom residents on a spirited mission to save their home. Through catchy tunes collaborated from some of the most celebrated pop, rock and musical theatre artists of the last few decades, combined with the endearing, hilarious and iconic characters of the SpongeBob universe, this production promises a sea of laughter and lessons on friendship that will resonate with audiences of all ages.

Concluding our subterranean adventures, we proudly present Alice by Heart. Set against the backdrop of World War II, this poignant story follows two young friends seeking refuge in an underground bunker. To ease the pain of her dying friend, our protagonist recounts the timeless tale of Alice in Wonderland - “by heart” - infusing magic and whimsy into their confined and difficult world as they merge through imagination into Wonderland. The power of friendship through a journey of grief take center stage in this evocative production, reminding us of the enduring impact of storytelling even in the darkest times. Alice By Heart is open by audition to actors ages 14-19.

As we embark on this celebratory season, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to our patrons, supporters, and the talented casts and crews who make GCPA a beacon of creativity. Here’s to a season filled with unforgettable moments, laughter that echoes through the halls, and the experience only live theater can provide. Welcome to a decade of dreams, drama, and dazzling performances at GCPA! If you like what you see, please consider joining us on our mission to provide quality, challenging, and out-of-the-box theatre for STL youth. See our shows, take our classes, spread the word, volunteer, or donate. We’d love your story with GCPA to begin today.

Stephanie Fox Artistic Director

Director’s Note Welcome to the Big Blue World!

Finding Nemo is about acceptance, growing up, and letting your kids grow up. The title character, Nemo, was born with a “lucky fin” smaller than the other. His “lucky fin” and the incident that caused it before Nemo’s egg hatched makes Marlin, Nemo’s dad, overprotective of Nemo and somewhat of a helicopter parent. Nemo has been sheltered his whole life by Marlin, and on his first day of school, he goes too far to prove that he’s just as strong and capable as the other kids. Nemo tries to swim up to a boat at which the reef kids are marveling, but he is captured by a scuba diver’s net and taken away. And here begins the adventures of Finding Nemo.

When Marlin sees Nemo get captured, his worst fears as a parent are realized. This is relatable for all of us – something bad happening to someone we love and worse, not being able to do anything to stop it. It’s an emotional start to this story. I’m sure we all hope to find ourselves in Marlin - embarking on a determined quest to save them. What’s perhaps not so simple are the unexpected challenges Marlin has to face along the way: overcoming feelings of guilt, his fear of the ocean, his general anxious outlook toward the world, and ultimately, letting go and trusting the amazing person Nemo is becoming. He meets many different creatures along the way, just as Nemo meets many different creatures where the scuba diver takes him as well. This ocean community helps shape them both and teaches them so much more about themselves and each other that they never would have seen otherwise.

The many different characters in Finding Nemo allow young actors to learn about all the different people in the world, their intrinsic beauty and value, and the importance of treating everyone with respect and kindness. Theatre teaches empathy. That is why it is so vitally important for young actors to work on shows like Finding Nemo, where so many types of characters are represented. The wildly populated sea of creatures provides a brilliant metaphor for the wonderfully diverse world we live in and the many people we encounter - all who are all worthy of dignity and care. And It provides the backdrop for a simple but powerful message: We need each other.

I’m so grateful to have worked on this show that emphasizes this to young actors and gives so many the opportunity to see a part of themselves in theatre.

Thank you, and just keep swimming!

Annalise McCann Director

scene song breakdown Prologue Scene 1 - Sydney Harbour & Great Barrier Reef BIG BLUE WORLD (PART 1)..........................................................................Marlin & Nemo BIG BLUE WORLD (PART 2).................................Nemo, Tad, Pearl, Professor Ray, Reef Kids, & Sea Chorus Scene 2 - Various Locations THE DROP-OFF...........................................................................Professor Ray & Reef Kids ABDUCTION/BIG BLUE WORLD (REPRISE)......................................Marlin & Nemo DORY’S DITTY............................................................................................................Dory & Marlin FISH ARE FRIENDS NOT FOOD.................................................Bruce, Chum, Anchor, Sharks & Fish Friends Scene 3 - Sydney Harbour Aquarium Tank SEAGULLS 1.............................................................................................Vacationer & Seagulls Scene 4 - Open Ocean WHERE’S MY DAD?................................................................................................................Nemo WE SWIM TOGETHER.....................Gill, Gurgle, Peach, Bubbles, Bloat, & Nemo Scene 5 - Open Ocean JUST KEEP SWIMMING (PART 1)......................................Dory, Marlin & Sea Chorus JUST KEEP SWIMMING (PART 2).....................Moonfish, Marlin, Dory & Jellyfish Scene 6 - Sydney Harbour SEAGULLS 2.............................................................................................Vacationer & Seagulls Scene 7 - Sydney Harbour Aquarium Tank NOT MY DAD...............................................................................................................................Nemo Scene 8 - East Australian Current GO WITH THE FLOW....................Crush, Kai, Breeze, Marlin, Dory & Sea Turtles Scene 9 -Various Locations ONE DEDICATED FATHER...............Sea Turtle 1, Sea Turtle 2, Grouper, Lobster 1, Lobster 2, Octopus 1, Octopus 2, Electric Eel 1, Electric Eel 2, Sea Horse 1 & Sea Horse 2 & Sea Chorus Scene 10 - Syndey Harbour SEAGULLS 3................................................................................................Vacationer & Seagulls Scene 11 - Open Ocean JUST KEEP SWIMMING TOGETHER................Marlin, Nemo Dory, & Moonfish FINALE (PART 1)....................................................................................................Nemo & Marlin Scene 12 - Open Ocean FINALE (PART 2).................................................................................................................Company

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cast Nemo Kieran Thompson gill Adella Brauer

coral Cora W.

bubbles Sally Smallwood kai Anni J.

bruce Echo Pentz

Dory Jamie Boudreau peach Abigail Bick

gurgle Mary Elizabeth King

bloat Jake Stokke crush Mia Battaglia

MARLIN Ray Mabie

nigel Clara Moore

breeze Lilly S.

squirt Anna Martin

chum Cate Menkhus

anchor Liam O.

professor ray Madeline Shah

pearl Kathryn Pierce

TAD Roman Boric

sheldon’S PARENT pearl’s PARENT TAd’s parent VACATIONER lobster 1 lobster 2 scuba mask dancer octopus 1 octopus 2 Electric eel 1 electric eel 2 seahorse 1 seahorse 2 moonfish 1 moonfish 2 Barracuda

Sheldon Grace Bujnak Karajana C. Claire H. Kate Roberts

Katy Siebenman Vincent Fox Lorayne Odle Mira F. Claire Otto Callum Thompson Miles F. William Akin Zoey Caddel Riley Brinkman Nolan Moore

Lauren Huff Charlie G.

Who's Who

William Akin

Mia Battaglia

Abigail Bick

Roman Boric

Jamie Boudreau

Riley Brinkman

Adella Brauer

Grace Bujnak

Zoey Caddel

Karajana C.

Vincent Fox

Miles F.

Mira F.

Claire H.

Lauren Huff

Anni J.

Mary Elizabeth King

Ray Mabie

Anna Martin

Cate Menkhus

Clara Moore

Nolan Moore

Lorayne Odle

Liam O.

Claire Otto

Who's Who

Echo Pentz

Kathryn Pierce

Sally Smallwood

Kate Roberts

Madeline Shah

Lilly S.

Jake Stokke

Kieran Thompson

Cora W.

Katy Siebenman

Callum Thompson

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Acknowledgments Thank you to all of our donors:

Stephanie Abbajay Stacy Abeles Rhonda Adams David Anderson Maria Anderson Maria Artamanova Dana Bacich Shelley & Joshua Baclesse Dorothy Banocy Margo Balinski Kimberly Baltimore Sheren Barakat Jennifer Barnhart Carolyn Baron Kori Baron David Bates Marti Bates Jason & Julie Battaglia Jay & Diana Baumohl Linda Becker Rick Beemer Josh Bell Jennifer & Jim Bellm Ashley Bendoff Jen Bengtson Lisa Berman Cheree Berry Jeff Bettlach Karen Bland Kris Blanchard Nate & Ashleigh Blevins Kimberly Breyer Melissa Bohlmann Mary Jane Bookstaver Meredith Bookstaver Amy Borah Danijela Boric Amy Bozarth Glen Brady Jyl Brady Kathie Brazel Rodney Brazil Angela Brennan Ryan Bricker Jeffrey Brinker Tanya Brinker Nik Brym Morgan Bucciferro Cindy & David Bunte Meg Bush Hayley Butler Mickey Button Judy Cadice Donna Caltagirone Jonathan & Jennifer Campbell Mary Cange Farrell Carfield Kathie Carnie Don Carter Heidi Carter Jeffrey Carter Courtney Celani Anthony Certa Farrell Clancy Ann Clayton Ruth Clayton Timothy Cleary Danielle Coffyn Mary Coffyn

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James Schulte Emily & Neil Schulz Joseph & Rebecca Schulz Erica Schulze Tara Schultz Holly Schuler Mary Ann & Ken Schwartz Mary Jane & Jack Sciales Katie & Titus Sears Eric & Rosie Seppelt Ruth Shiflet Julie Siddens Heather Silguero Amie Simmons Katie Simpson Margie Sinclair-Parish Andrea Slavik Jason Slavik Mary Sly Kim Smith Sean Smith Martha Sneider Rebecca Soeder Mary Grace Sommers Hannah Sterkel Randall Sterkel Lynn Stockwell Jill Stokke John Strahlman Maureen Strasheim Mary Strauss Amy Stringer Hessel Carol Stulce Jill Strohmeyer Laura & Mike Susic Richard & Eliot Tao Julie Taylor Kristen Terrill Barbara & Mark Thibodeau Tamara & Demetrius Thomas Porscha Thompson Judith Thunderheart Elizabeth & John Tiffin Christy Timberlake Laurie Tournier Teresa & Scott Turner

GCPA Board of Directors Rebecca Schulz President

Jason Battaglia Treasurer

Molly Turpin Katie Vance Mary VanDeWiele Lakeasha Veasley Sarah Veninga Ranie Verby Diane Villhard Julie & Peter Villhard Paul & Karen Villhard Sarah Vlodek Jenny Vordtriede Jan Wacker Jennifer Wade Kathryn Wagner Sarah Wahl Dennis Wall Hillary Wall Jodi Ward Lisa Warticovschi Linda Welborn Patricia Westby Andrea Wiegert Keith & Julie Williams Marquitta Williams-Powell Erin Willis Christina Wilson Sarah Wirthlin Andrea Wolfe Stacey Woodrome Jody Woodward Marisa & Kevin Yoder Jody S. Young Bio Tab Clean Tech Company Eaton Husch Blackwell Keeley Companies Koller Enterprises, Inc. Melvin F. Brown Trust Plancorp Shade Guard Take Two Productions Waterway Wee Ones

finding nemo kids brought to you in part by generous funding from

Elaine Goldman Secretary

Karen Bland Binh Gant Dave Gant Beth Schartner Linda Welborn

many thanks to all the parent volunteers!

Finding Nemo Junior is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International. www.mtishows.com. The use of cameras or other recording devices is strictly prohibited.

Thank you and enjoy the show!

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Join Musical Makers for our next story in 2024-2025!

2024-2025 Mainstage Season

Ages 8-18 Auditions Summer 2024 Performs November 22nd-24th, 2024

Now Registering!

Ages 6-10 Registration-based production In-class casting in the fall Rehearses September-May Mondays at 7pm & Thursday at 5pm Performs May 2025 www.gcpastl.org/classes

Ages 13-18 Auditions Fall 2024 Performs April 25th-27th. 2025

Now Accepting applications!

Due July 28th www.gcpastl.org/showstarters

Ages 13-18 Auditions Fall 2024 | Performs April 25th-27th. 2025

2023-2024 Season

School Rock Andrew Lloyd Webbers

of

The Musical

December 15th-17th, 2023

April 19th-21st, 2024

June 21st, June 28th, August 9th, 2024

July 12th-14th, 2024

YOUTH EDITION

July 26th-28th, 2024

August 1st-4th, 2024